Who can decipher the abundance of dress codes in business environments now? Business formal, business professional, smart and creative casual, casual Friday, casual every day, gender-neutral, did I leave any out? When you’re standing in front of your wardrobe, confused about what to wear, AND you want to look professional while following a dress code, it can be overwhelming.

Appropriateness and professionalism always come before expressing your personal style. Your clothing should communicate the image you want to project; and ensure that your abilities are making the statement of someone to watch, your wardrobe shouldn’t make that statement. While your clothing does not determine your abilities, according to studies, it does determine the perception of those abilities. Your authority and suitability for hire or promotion could also be affected by how you dress.

Rag & Bone scarf (old) similar available here and here

More and more work environments are moving towards a casual dress code, so jeans have become appropriate in a lot of workplaces. With this look, I paired my jeans with a structured blazer to create a half casual, half tailored ensemble for an overall professional outfit. My jeans look relaxed while my blazer looks polished. I finished the look off with a great pair of booties. The booties pull everything together and add my personality to the look. Work is not the place to be flashy, but I do love to add color with a great handbag.

Tory Burch handbag (old), similar linked below, dupe available here

What is the dress code where you work? Do you ever struggle with what to wear?