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It’s funny that until I started writing this business casual series, I didn’t fully realize how much my style ebbed and flowed based on the seasons. I obviously new it changed on the weather, but I didn’t fully sit down and think about it until I started writing each of these posts. You see, in the summer, I’m all about wearing dresses and skirts for my summer business casual wardrobe. Maybe I throw in a pair of ankle pants, but I really focus on comfort on my commute to work.
Once Fall business casual season hits, I start transitioning into primarily pants and seeing how long I can stretch out no tights season with skirts (especially since DC seems to enjoy stretching out warm weather). Winter is when it gets kind of weird. You see, you think I would go into full pants mode, right? Nope. As I talked about in my winter business casual post, that’s the perfect time for thick tights and tights or dresses. I love using that time for pairing different skirts and tops together and bringing out all of my sweaters.
Everlane High-Neck Tank (Similar simple low price option, good tank option as well)
Everlane The Work Pant c/o (This price is great and these pants are such good quality!)
Banana Republic Jacket (old, Similar at a great price, Similar also at a low price)
Everlane The Day Glove (you know how much I love these!)
Everlane The Form Bag c/o
So how do I change up things once Spring starts to come up?
So how do I change up things once Spring starts to come up? Well, that’s when I first start to incorporate brighter colors (in small doses) back into my wardrobe. I also start to bring back ankle pants, ditch the high boots (or tights), and light cardigans make their way back into my life. Finally, my favorite thing happens: my collection of flats gets to come back out.
How To Dress Business In Spring
As I mentioned earlier, Spring is when my work wardrobe starts to look a little more like my Fall wardrobe. At least in the sense that I’m wearing more ankle pants. In anticipation of spring though, I’m trying to incorporate more flats and less shoes that include the work “boot” in the them. I don’t really bring out any
business casual dresses, but some people might depending on the weather (and if they want to wear tights). Here are a few other ways I’m changing up my spring business casual outfits.
Bring Back The Florals & Prints
Stripes, florals, gingham, polka dots, give me it all. Yes, I love plaid and I get a lot of plaid time in the winter, but gingham is basically summer plaid, so I love it just as much. Plus, now we get to brighten up all of these patterns, which make them all even better. Just don’t too crazy with the patterns, after all, you’re still in professional attire and you should probably follow the dress code.
Bring Back The Colors
As I just mentioned, we get to bring back the colors! I know I talked about how we don’t need to eliminate colors in winter. In fact, we can still embrace them, but sometimes I enjoy not seeing black everywhere. It just makes me a little bit happier when I see everyone wearing bright colors. Or at least when I throw on a bright pair of pants.
Ditch The Coats
Or at least the super heavy coats. And then it’s like you’ve magically lost 5 pounds! Now we get to wear the fun coats like utility jackets, moto jackets, and jean jackets (so really anything you would call a jacket, I guess?).
Keep The Layers
Now, it is still spring, not a full on summer yet, so you need to wear layers, BUT they can be lighter layers. That’s why I like to incorporate a cardigan or a jacket/blazer into my spring outfits. One of my favorite cardigans is the J.Crew Factory Clare cardigan. It’s not too thin, but you won’t overheat, the sleeves are 3/4 to mix it up, and it comes in so many colors. I love to mix and match them with different tops throughout the season.
Bring Back The Flats
No snow means you don’t need to keep your feet (and the bottom of your pants) as far away from the ground as possible. This means you can start to move boots out of your wardrobe and bring flats (or heels) back into it.
Don’t Ditch The Tights Too Soon
I know a lot of people are excited to throw their tights to the back of their drawers as soon as possible, but slow down nelly. Spring can still get pretty windy or cold. So if you want to wear a skirt or dress, what should you do? Well, you have two choices, really. You can either stay in the tights a little bit longer (which is perfectly fine, in my opinion). Or, you can wear your riding boots, just without tights. It’ll help your legs stay warm and avoid that gust of wind.
Spring Business Casual Outfit Ideas
Need a little outfit inspiration? Here are some spring business casual work outfits! Click on any of the images to go to the original post.
Remember with all of these outfits tips though, you need to remember that every work enviroment is different and you need to adapt what’s appropriate for your enviroment. What may work for me may not work for you!
Photos by Kimberly Graydon
