Addressing the dress code

Take Kirsten Dunst’s cue. In this Band of Outsiders look book, she shows flirty flair in what could be office-appropriate outfits.

I can’t blame my dad. Once in a while, he catches me just when I’m about to leave for work and asks, “Are you wearing that to the office?” Translation: “Why are you in short shorts?” And always, an expression of disbelief on my face — “Yes, I am.” And I really do. I’ve been lucky, because working in an industry with a more relaxed dress code has given me the sartorial advantages of dressing up, or in my case, dressing down. Case in point: just the other day, I wore a sheer white top reminiscent of Cher in Clueless, shorts, and then topped it off with my current fixation: the baseball cap.

Like I said, I can’t blame my dad.

But can you blame me? I always say, the shorts are one of the most conspicuous ways I carry my Catholic school baggage — because we weren’t allowed to wear them. So when I finally did, I never stopped. But even as a proud member of Short Shorts Anonymous and a girl who’s sworn off uniforms for life, I did grow up and expanded my bottoms bank since then. So yes, sometimes, I could be what’s considered office-appropriate.

The work dress code is relative and flexible to your line of work — whether you’re a management trainee in a banking firm or an accounts junior at an ad agency, what you wear reflects the kind of job you do. But that doesn’t mean you should just stick to blazers. Employ these tips to make the best style settlement at the office.

Nail the basics. Treat black, gray, and white button-downs, v-necks, slacks or pants as foundation. The great thing about them is they’re able to complement everything else in your closet, or stand on their own. Get them in the nice, tailored fit, and then get yourself an oversized version, a la boyfriend blazer or shirt. An important memo: you don’t need to rush in building your basics rack. Sometimes finding the right fit takes a while — and will cost you. Invest in it.

Don’t underestimate denim. If you’re in the kind of office that allows jeans (or have casual Fridays), take the opportunity to experiment with denim. From jackets to jeans to skirts or shirt dresses, denim gets wearable mileage by just being denim. Think of it as your other, other neutral — shapes, cuts, and shades make all the difference in any outfit.

Rachel Bilson shows you how to balance cute and formidable in Hart of Dixie.

Which brings me to my other tip. Mind your length. No matter what the office dress code is, don’t feel that you have to compromise your personal style because everything has to be below the knee. The other companions of pants in the coverage department? Maxi skirts, midi skirts and even mullet skirts. And then there are A-lines, high-waist, drop-waist or pencil cuts. The slightest change in proportion can break any outfit — in a good way. The possibilities!

Try for color and texture. This is where you get creative. After you’ve stocked your palette pantry with blacks, whites and neutrals, get the salmon cuffed pants or that navy pleated skirt. Take a leap of faith in nylon, leather, or a not-too-ostentatious animal print. Texture also means accessories — earrings, necklaces, hats, sunglasses, bracelets or cuffs (one of the most utilitarian ones is the watch). And the critical point: shoes. This is where all the minute manufacturing details matter. Platforms, stilettos, wedges, booties — cap-toe, open-toe, slingbacks — your basics may begin the sentence, but shoes will punctuate it.

But color and texture, fun as they are, are just as tricky. If you know what color looks good on you, consider yourself lucky. If not, well, take your time in the dressing room — the payoff comes eventually — shopping time gets cut in half when you know what you want.

Lastly, it’s all in the detail. Whether it’s a Peter Pan collar, an exaggerated lapel on your blazer, or polka dot-printed socks — these things matter.

You’ve already gotten the part (in this case, a job you wanted). Might as well look like it.