- Stylists critiqued my go-to outfits to help them look more business casual and professional.
- The stylists said I should look for pieces with more structure to accentuate my waist and curves.
- They suggested I add more neutral colors to my wardrobe with accessories or a single clothing piece.
I'm a 22-year-old freelance writer living in New York City and I love to express myself through color.
Most of my outfits have color, especially pink, because it makes me feel happy and more confident — I even dyed my hair pink.
I've never been afraid to express my style in a workplace setting. I've worn bright-pink outfits to the office and a face full of glitter because I like it and, at the end of the day, it doesn't affect my job performance.
With that said, as I start to "adult," I think it's important to learn ways to make my colorful outfits look more tasteful and professional for situations when a neon-pink dress won't cut it.
To help, I asked stylists, Holly Katz, Maggie Gillette, and Leena Alsulaiman to give me advice on how to upgrade my looks.
For look one, Katz suggested a high-waisted pair of pants and a shorter top
I started with a look I considered to be more on the subtle side in terms of color since only my shirt is vibrant.
In this case, it wasn't the bright-pink color that wasn't working here — it was the way it was styled.
My oversized shirt was not doing me any favors.
"Defining a waist and structured clothing is what's lacking here," Katz said. "When wearing an oversized top, it creates the illusion that you look bigger than you are."
Additionally, she suggested I switch out my leggings for a wide-leg stretch pant to "create the illusion of a longer, leaner leg."
She said that style of pant can help me look taller and define my waist.
For my next outfit, Alsulaiman suggested keeping the blazer open and changing my hairstyle
This is my go-to outfit when I'm intentionally trying to dress professionally because suits are typically deemed appropriate in the workplace.
I'll usually pair it with black flats and wear the blazer top with the button closed to make it seem more form-fitting.
Alsulaiman said that this look can be dressed down to be less formal yet still professional.
She said I should keep the blazer "open to add dimension to the outfit" and said it's more flattering this way since it only has one button.
She added, "You can also make the outfit less formal by putting your hair up in a fun way. Maybe space buns or a high ponytail with a colorful bandana."
When I'm looking to make a statement, this all-pink outfit is my go-to
Although I would wear this outfit to the office, I'd also wear it to a drag show after work since it is bold and fun.
I don't think fun, sparkly shoes can inherently indicate one's level of professionalism, but some may disagree.
"The boots are super cool, but not for work," Gillette said. "Consider changing up your footwear for something understated, like a black ballet flat."
Normally, I wouldn't consider wearing neutral flats with a pink outfit, but I'm willing to try if it will make me look more polished.
This maxi dress is cute, but it has too much fabric and needs to be accessorized
Dresses are my ultimate go-to when I'm heading to an event, the office, or just for a day out in NYC. I love this dress because it's super long and flowy, but one stylist said it could be better if it was shorter.
"Try shortening this dress to a midi length, which is about 2 inches below your knee," Katz said. "This will give you a little more length in the waist and bring attention to your top half."
Additionally, she suggested adding a wide, stretchy black belt to define my waist. The belt can pull in the additional fabric and create a more flattering silhouette.
Lastly, Gillette suggested adding a solid-color blazer to pull together this kawaii look
I never thought about adding a blazer over the dress because it would cover the puff sleeves, but I trust the stylists' advice when it comes to making this look more tasteful and professional.
"Having a black blazer or cardigan in your closet helps integrate items like boldly patterned dresses and tops into a work wardrobe while still giving a pop of personality," she said.
Next time, I'll add a blazer and put my hair up to accentuate the collar, which adds a sophisticated flare.
Overall, the stylists enjoyed my unique sense of style and I may or may not take their suggestions
Above all, the stylists praised my colorful and unique style and these suggestions are meant to help me tailor my looks.
Although I know my outfits aren't for everyone, what matters at the end of the day is that I like them.
If I feel confident in my outfits, they are doing their job and these suggestions are only to be used if I want to — not because I have to to fit in with society's standards.