How to dress from Work to Play

Every truly gathered woman knows the motto "work hard/play hard" and embodies that to some extent. Playing hard is about self-care, not partying recklessly and destroying your youthful glow.  We all need down time to enjoy the fruits of our labor. So when it's time for happy hour, a casual date, a social event, or other enjoyable after work function, how do we transition our outfits to save time, money and clothes? See our go to ideas on how to change work outfits from day to night.

To Do

• Use accessories to elevate the style of your work basics. Adding bracelets, cocktail rings, dramatic earring and statement necklaces works wonders.
• Use a fierce and dramatic shoe to increase the sexiness of your outfit without changing your hemline or lowering your collar.
• Add a waist belt to loose dresses to give shape and chicness
• Switch from a bulky tote to a chic clutch
• Increase the drama of your make-up. Highlight your cheekbones, add mascara/liner, try a dark lipstick.
• Don't forget your favorite perfume
• Let your hair down or switch the part. 

Great Pieces to Build from

• Use fitted pants rather than traditional slacks
• Pay attention to fabric. It's easier to move from day to night with more luxurious fabrics  (silk, leather, satin, beading, etc)
• Use colorful jackets and blazers rather than cardigans
• Keep killer high heels in your car
• Have a Fashion Emergency Kit in your car (read our post on this here)

Work to Play #2 by bree-jenkins featuring Yellow Jacket

From Work to Play by bree-jenkins featuring short tops

Work to Play #3 by bree-jenkins featuring white shoes

Have you rocked a work hard, play hard outfit? Share it with us at The Gathered Lady on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and if we love it, we'll share it!

Professional Style Inspiration for Summer!

Summer’s here and it’s getting hot! For us professionals and nine-to-fivers, what to wear to work becomes an enigma as we try to balance out sweltering heat with icy air conditioning. In today’s workplace, the game has changed for women, and so have the dress codes for the most part - more fluid, flexible, and permissive. Fashionistas can have fun with it, and still dress to impress and win that promotion or recognition that you so richly deserve. Today’s post looks at style inspiration for summer work looks and some tips to help you style your way through summer. 

The Power Player 

As a power player, you aren’t dressing for the job you want --  you’ve already arrived. Tailored lines, bold color, and rich details and accessories are the order of the day. A classic and conservative dress code can benefit from playing up the season’s hottest colors and adding textured fabrics like the jaquard in the skirt pictured above. Like most power players, your work obligations extend past the workday, so transitional pieces need to go from day to night with little more than taking off your blazer.

A tip: Carry a edgy wristlet or clutch in your tote to hold your essentials and you’re ready for the cocktail party in two shakes!

The Trendsetter  

A trendsetter is most at home in a creative industry like design, but also thrives in less strict and conservative work environments. Edgy hair and nail colors are safe here. Also, props and unconventional accent pieces make your style distinct. Another place to distinguish yourself is makeup - feel free to play up your eye or lips with color (not both... and for goodness sake, no glitter!). Because you’re never boring, replace that boring work cardigan with a leather motorcycle jacket and keep away AC frostbite.

A tip: An alternate flat shoe can save your tootsies during the day so that you can dance the night away after a full day at the office.

The Casually Chic 

A casual workplace is even more of a playground - the world is your oyster. Take risks and wear those fun patterned pants, even jeans (no rips, please). What we at TGL discourage is taking the “business casual” look to the rock bottom by wearing yoga pants, sweats, and the like. Avoid! Even in a casual work environment, a snazzy dresser has an advantage. Everyone will know your name and secretly hope that you will chose them to bless with a makeover.

A tip: bolder colors outside of the basics will look amazing and show off that sparkling personality!

In Transition

Okay, so you’re looking for a J-O-B... keep your head up! We here at TGL suggest that you give the prim and proper business sheath a try for interviews. (It works for Michelle Obama!) Update the basic black to a power blue, and you’re guaranteed to turn heads. The key here is not to overwhelm all those brains, skills, and knowledge with distracting makeup, jewelry, or hair in an interview. Remember, most hiring managers make decisions based on emotion (whether they like you and can imagine you in the workplace) and then justify that feeling with logic (your amazing resume says you have skills and education). That means that you have to display your amazing self in its best light. Confidence and poise win major points with men and women.

A tip: Interviewing and job searching is a head game. This is a case where your attitude can create opportunity out of thin air. Keep your spirits up with style inspiration! This is also an excellent time to step up your bargain shopping game if your interviewing attire needs a boost and the budget is tight.

So? How did we do? If you care to share, please do in the comments below! You can also email or facebook us to share your style, and if we like, we’ll share with the world. What are you waiting for?