From the Office to Out of Hours: Taking Your Uniform to the Next Level

We’ve all been there before – getting a message from a friend who wants to catch up after work. Many of us have been in the predicament of not wanting to wear our work clothes out but, at the same time, not wanting to carry an enormous bag around that requires an awkward outfit change in the work toilet stalls.

If you want to take your uniform from the workplace to dinner and drinks with a friend, here are our top tips based on your industry.

So, your uniform is…corporate?

There are so many people who work in corporate environments – from lawyers to accountants, real estate agents to finance brokers. Some professions have a corporate dress code more commonly than others – it would be rare to see a lawyer wearing casual clothes to court!

Common uniform traits

If you work in a corporate environment, you’ve probably grown accustomed to some of the following garments:

• Smart blazers
• Dress slacks/pants
• Corporate skirts or dresses
• Shirts
• Ties or neck scarves
• Dress shoes
• Vests
  

How to take it to an out-of-office look

Depending on where you’re going, you don’t want to look too overdressed, but you can do a few easy things to switch up your corporate outfit.

Dress it down

One of the easiest things you can do to change a corporate uniform to a night-out outfit is to dress it down. There are plenty of ways you can dress an outfit down:

• Take off any corporate vests or blazers
• Undo your cuffs and roll up your sleeves
• Lose the tie or neck scarf
• Loosen the top button or two
• Experiment with knotting or tucking your shirt in different ways
  

Switch up your shoes

If you wear heels or dress shoes at work, changing your footwear can help alter the look of an outfit. Add a pair of cute pumps, casual loafers or nice sandals to change the tone of your outfit. If you’re going to a fancier engagement, leave the dress shoes on or switch to a different pair of heels.

Add a casual jacket or knit

If you’ve taken off your blazer to dress down your outfit, try adding a casual jacket or knit jumper. For more preppy vibes, leave the collar tucked out over the neckline of a knit top and pull the cuffs out. Adding a denim jacket or chunky knit over a corporate dress and switching up the shoes can completely transform an outfit.

So, your uniform is…smart casual?

Smart casual or hybrid uniforms are becoming increasingly popular since the pandemic. So many employees are looking for a uniform that has the same comfort as the pyjamas we wore when working from home as well as a professional look.

Common uniform traits

Smart casual or hybrid dressing comes in a mixture of garments, but you may see some of the following:

• Shirts without ties
• Shirt with rolled-up sleeves
• Chinos
• Polo shirts
• Elastic waistbands
• More colour than traditional corporate colours of navy, white and black
  

How to take it to an out-of-office look

This uniform style is one of the easiest to take from day to night as it can be dressed up or down relatively easily.

Dress it up

There are a few tricks you can do to dress up a smart casual uniform. If you’re wearing a polo shirt or casual tee with a pair of nice slacks, swap it out for a shirt or consider a blouse. A coloured blouse (like our Estelle sleeveless pleat blouse or Aria fluted sleeve blouse) is a fantastic statement piece to elevate your outfit.

Dress it down

If you’re looking to dress smart casual down, consider things like outerwear and footwear. If you’re wearing a blazer, swap it for a knit sweater or cardigan for a more casual look. Your shoes can also play a big part in dressing down an outfit. Swap out heels or dress shoes for your favourite pair of sneakers.

It’s all about the accessories

Accessories can set the tone of your whole outfit. Wearing chunky jewellery pieces and adding a brightly coloured bag can spice up an outfit. A pair of nice heels and elegant jewellery will do the trick for a more sophisticated look.

Touch up the make-up

If you want to change up your outfit, it might be as simple as switching up your make-up from a subtle daytime look to a bolder night-time look. A coloured lip is another great way to add a pop of colour to an outfit within seconds and a winged eyeliner can match an evening vibe.

So, your uniform is…hospitality?

Who could forget our hospitality workers? Whether it’s wait staff, baristas or front-of-house team members, the hospitality industry is huge.

Common uniform traits

While a hospitality uniform varies based on job responsibilities, there are a few common traits.

• Neutral colours (often including lots of black)
• Functional garments to allow for ease of movement
• Comfortable footwear for lengthy periods on your feet
  

How to take it to an out-of-office look

If you’re wearing a uniform that’s predominantly one colour, it’s not too difficult to change the whole look of an outfit.

Add some colour

Adding colour to completely neutral uniforms is great fun! Choose either your top or bottom garment and swap it out for a colourful alternative. Experiment with patterns, colours and textures, and don’t be afraid to mix and match.

Accessories

There are plenty of ways to accessorise your outfit. Whether it’s donning a knit scarf in the colder months, adding a funky hat or statement piece in the warmer months, or simply putting on a coloured lip can make a big difference to an outfit.

Switch up your shoes

More than likely, your shoes will be practical, comfortable ones designed for long periods on your feet. Switch them out for your favourite pair of heels or dress shoes, grab your favourite purse and enjoy your night!

Taking your outfit from the office to out of hours is easier than you think. Regardless of your industry, Fashion Biz Canada has everything you need to create your staple wardrobe. Browse our range today.