Men have it easy. Simply take what you wore to work and wear it out to the bar. All the ladies will swoon, because they see you’re donned in work-wear and assume you have a job a.k.a. money. That’s always a good thing in a woman’s book. And if you’re good looking, they might not only be after your money. Your problems: solved.
Ladies, it isn’t so simply for our half of the species. We’ve all experienced the stress of trying to translate a professional outfit into something fun and chic for the after-work hours. Maybe you’ve planned a rendez-vous with your beau, or you’re meeting friends for a much-needed cocktail. It’s time to get fabulous, and the trick is wearing something that can be transformed through the addition of accessories or high heels.
Consider your foundation, and we don’t mean makeup. A black dress is perfect. It can be worn at work with opaque tights, ballet flats, a cardigan, and minimal jewelry. Come 5p.m., ditch those adornments for a pair of leopard heels, statement jewelry, flashy clutch, crimson lipstick . . . voila! Not sure if black dresses can be fun? We think so:
Lose the extra layers. If you wore tights, trade them for bare legs or nude fishnets, which are quietly sexy and have skin-perfecting effects. If you would rather keep your stems covered, opt for a patterned or colored pair of tights, or slip off your cardigan to let your shoulders be an alluring slice of skin.
Change your footwear. A stellar pair of pumps or chunky wedges has the power to totally reinvent your look. Not so keen on heels that scrape the sky? Go for a low-heeled ankle boot or slip your tootsies into a studded pair of sandals.
Add a pop of color. If you stick to neutrals in the office (charcoal, black, brown, etc) add a touch of color to your outfit. A cobalt clutch or a saffron belt will easily take your outfit from cubicle to downtown.
Make it sparkle. Whether it’s a bold ring or flashy earrings, jewelry is a major player in giving your office look a face-lift. Word of warning: don’t go too crazy. Choose one piece to flaunt, like gold bangles or oversized studs. If you aren’t a jewelry fanatic, you can also add that much needed spark through decorated clothing (did someone say beads, sequins, or—dare we say it—glitter?)
Doll It Up. Daytime makeup is typically understated and modest, so take your out-of-the-office opportunity to wear something fun! The combo of red lipstick, black eyeliner, and black mascara is classically flirtatious. For something less retro, consider smoky eyes and nude lips, which easily matches nearly any outfit. Seal the deal by swiping some shimmering gloss on those kissers, and you will be instantly camera-ready.
