It’s Monday again, and you have a week’s worth of work meetings, project deadlines, and not to mention the after-work family obligations that weigh on your mind and heart.  

The last thing you want to think about is what you will wear today, and the thought of figuring that question out for the next five days is daunting at best.

Getting dressed for work doesn’t have to be the worst part of your day, and honestly, I’d like to help you make it an empowering and fun part of your day.

Whether you work from home, on Zoom, in the office, or from your car, all scenarios are still work. Work takes work. It can be fulfilling but can also drain your energy.   

Do you know what else has energy?  Color.  And dare I say, purpose. 

Yep, I’m going there! Wearing colors and styles that reflect your personality and energy and tie into your purpose will undoubtedly lift you up and help you win at work.

Getting dressed is a vehicle for showcasing how you’re feeling, what you’d like to communicate, and the spark of light inside. When we’re at work, we demonstrate our competency, intellect, and creativity through both our actions and our appearance. The right outfit can help amplify these qualities while keeping us comfortable and confident throughout our day.

To help you choose the perfect outfit that aligns with your purpose and energy, start by considering these key questions:

1. What is the mission or goal for today?  Are you engaging in intense talks with other leaders?  Are you attending a town hall where you’ll want to listen intently? 
2. What are the logistics? Weather, traveling from the office to job sites, indoor climate (cold or warm). 
3. What is your energy level, and how would you like to feel? Are you excited or tired?  
4. Does your day require a business professional or business casual look?

Now that you have clarity about your day’s needs let’s explore the time-tested 5-Point Style Formula that will help you create winning outfits consistently. This formula ensures you’ll have all the essential elements needed for a polished, professional look while maintaining your personal style.

5-Point Style Formula for Professional Women and Men

5-Point Style Formula = Top + Topper + Bottom + Shoes + Accessories

Tops = Blouse, button-down shirt, turtleneck.  Dresses fall into the “Top” category.

Topper = Jacket, cardigan, blazer, sweater, coat.*

Bottom = Chinos, trousers, wide leg, ankle, A-line skirt, midi skirt, pencil skirt.

Shoes = Heels, pumps, ballet flats, elevated sneakers, wedges, loafers, Chelsea, brogue, oxford, derby. Socks and/or hosiery are included in this category.

Accessories = Jewelry, briefcase, handbag, scarf, sunglasses, gloves, coat.*

*Coat can be the topper or an accessory for an outfit, depending on weather and occasion.

Winning Combinations for Different Scenarios

Executive Meetings –

• Power suit combination: Navy blazer + matching trousers + crisp white button-down + leather oxford shoes + silver watch

• Modern leadership look: Charcoal sheath dress + structured blazer + pointed-toe pumps + delicate gold necklace

• Networking attire: Gray wool trousers + cashmere sweater + leather loafers + statement watch + classic tote

Remote Work / Video Calls

• Camera-ready combo: Jewel-tone blouse + cardigan + dark bottoms + simple earrings

• Polished but comfortable: Quarter-zip pullover + collared shirt + dark jeans + leather sneakers

• Elevated casual: Turtleneck + blazer + comfortable trousers + minimal jewelry

Color Coordination Made Simple

The 60-30-10 Rule:

– 60% of your outfit: Your base color (navy, gray, black, or beige)

– 30%: Your secondary color (complementary to your base)

– 10%: Your accent color (that ‘pop’ that brings everything together)

Power Colors and Their Impact:

– Navy: Projects authority and trustworthiness

– Red: Communicates confidence and energy

– White: Conveys clarity and precision

– Green: Suggests growth and harmony

– Purple: Implies creativity and wisdom

Pro Styling Tips:

1. Fit is everything – invest in tailoring key pieces

2. Consider your industry’s unwritten dress codes

3. Choose fabrics appropriate for your climate

4. Keep a backup outfit in your office

5. When in doubt, slightly overdressed is better than underdressed

Ideally, picking out your week of winning work outfits would happen over the weekend before the start of the week. Most, not all of the time, we have a rough idea of what we’re doing and who we’ll be seeing during the week ahead, and your outfits will be queued up and ready to go!