Breaking Out of a Business Casual Rut & Friendship Friday #14

Good morning, friends!  Recently a reader contacted me about writing a post that addresses breaking out of a business casual clothing rut.  At the reader’s workplace people have fallen into the rut of wearing the same few pants, easy-wash tops and shoes every week.  These are all basics that career girls need in their wardrobe, but the reader and her co-workers would like some budget-friendly ways to look current for fall.  I’ve also gotten a few recent requests for more plus size examples and have used some here today!  Love hearing from readers – please keep the feedback and suggestions coming!

General Ways to Break Out of a Fashion Rut

• Go against your typical choice – if you normally wear trousers, try a skirt or dress, if you normally wear cotton/poplin button downs, try knit tops, etc.  The same also goes for accessories – if you are a necklace girl, try a scarf or vice versa.  Are flats or loafers your thing?  Try a boot or heel instead.
• Use this same philosophy with fabrics: swap a typical wool skirt for leather, a dark denim trouser in lieu of a pant or try a piece that has a subtle metallic in it.
• If changing from trousers to a skirt is too far out of your comfort zone or too impractical, try just changing up the cut or hemline.  If an inch above the knee is your go-to skirt length, try a midi length.  Always wear leggings or skinnies?  Try a wider profile trouser.
• Break out of neutrals by adding a color or pattern.  If this is new for you, start with something small like a scarf, necklace, shoes or a bag.  For more impact, try a color or pattern for an entire clothing item.
• Add a layer to your basic top/bottom ensemble.  Vests, blazers, kimonos and jackets can all help take a look from dull to diva!
• Change up your part or try a new lip color.  Sometimes a simple twist like this can breathe new life into your old looks.

Business Casual Looks for Fall, 2017

Below are a few ideas I had that would allow our reader to update her basic business casual look for Fall, 2017.

In this first series we used a few common business casual basics (black pant, white blouse, mid-heel wedge pump) as the foundation for some on-trend updates for this fall.  As mentioned in this post, dark floral prints are huge for fall.  I’ve shown them here in two different ways.

First off is a mixed print floral chiffon top.  The pattern is more subtle on top, stronger at the bottom, providing a nice contrast of prints.  The next example of a dark floral is in the third look where a printed scarf incorporates this popular print.  In this outfit, I’ve also paired the basic pant with an on-trend monochromatic tie-waist top (also available in white).  For the middle outfit, the basics are combined with a faux leather bomber jacket in a rich wine color.  It works as a blazer or cardigan would but in a much more modern profile.

In the second series, we took things a step farther by adding a bold colored pair of pants and a fall dress that features a dark floral print.  Note how many of the pieces shown can work together.  The bomber and kimono could be paired with the dress.  The kimono and vest would both work with a black pant or skirt.

Basics Used

• Eloquii Kady Double Weave Pant $80, now 40% off with code DAY2
  • NOTE: This pant is shown as a basic in black and as a trend in Zinfandel.  Many other colors patterns available.
• Mango Flared Sleeve Blouse $80
• Jessica Simpson Wedge Pumps $69

Fall 2017 Updates

• Torrid Floral Print Crochet V-Neck Top $45, now $34
• Nordstrom Sejour Faux Leather Bomber Jacket $149 now $90
• Torrid Floral Print Scarf $20, now $15
• Torrid Velvet Kimono $60
• Dorothy Perkins Floral Wrap Dress $58
• Sejour Long Sweater Vest $79, now $48

A Few Other Fall Business Casual Pieces

• Torrid Rose Print Chiffon Top $45
• Plaid Print Ponte Pencil Skirt $45, now $34
• Torrid Striped Knit Open Drape Cardigan $69, now $52
• Mango Mini Houndstooth Trousers $80
• Mango Bow Collar Sweater $50
• Kohl’s Lauren Conrad Blouse $48, now $30
• Target Crop Faux Leather Flares $35
• a.n.d. denim trouser $30
• Target Ava & Viv t-shirt $28

Lastly, for another quick update, try a pair of printed or embroidered shoes or boots.  Some of the patterns out now are subtle, some are bold but either way, sure to liven up your tired basics!

Note: This post contains affiliate links.  For full disclosure policy, click here.

Welcome to the Friendship Friday blog hop!

We are open to all blogging niches and would love to have you join us. The link party runs from 12:01 AM Friday until 11:59 PM Sunday each week.

To participate:

1. Please follow your host NattyGal on at least ONE of the following social outlets (Bloglovin’, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook or Twitter)
2. Link up to 3 of your own posts where it says “Click here to enter” (linkup to your blog post and not your main page).
3. If you’d like to display the blog hop on your own site, copy the code that comes up where it says “Get Code Here” and add that to the end of your post in the HTML section.
4. Please comment on at least the same number of other bloggers as posts that you link up (i.e., link 1 of your posts, comment on at least 1 other blogger’s post).
5. By adding your links, you are stating that you have the proper licensing/rights to the images in your blog posts.
6. Enjoy the linkup and meeting some new blogger friends!

NOTE: Blogs that violate the comment policy listed here will be removed.