Style At Play
Your personal style shouldn't end when you leave the office -- or the office party. Your style should follow you into play time as well. On vacation, on a weekend at the beach, on a trip to the park with the kids, your style should make you feel in tune with your surroundings. After all, it's a lot more fun when you know you look your best, and everyone around you can feel it too.
Spending time away from work, or a formal event or gathering, can be a liberating experience. You don't have to meet anyone's expectations but your own, and judgments are left back at the office, where they belong. You're free to be a mom, or a wife, or a girlfriend, or a single woman, and your clothes and accessories should express that freedom. After all, nobody at the race track or the on the hiking trail is looking to see if your jeans are tailored or bought off the rack.
Even the corporate world has caught on to the benefits of laid-back attire. Casual Fridays have become tradition in many companies, with even the stuffiest accountants and lawyers strutting around in khakis and polo shirts. And the work gets done as usual, without a tie or double-breasted suit in sight. Now many firms have extended business casual to include the whole week, much to the delight of the workforce.
But keep in mind casual shouldn't mean sloppy, or thrown together. Just because
the pressure's off doesn't mean you shouldn't try to look your best in all
situations. Think about putting as much thought and energy (if not money) into
your casual wardrobe as you do into your work wardrobe.
Here are some casual style tips:
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Build your casual wardrobe around basic styles and color groups.
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Stay away from casual staples like baggy sweats and cut off shorts. These can work for lounging around the house or working in the garden, but not so great at displaying your personal style in public.
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Keep your accessories in sync with your look. That diamond studded Rolex watch will look out of place with your jogging suit, as will the Gucci handbag.
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Shoes matter. Instead of a boring pair of white jogging shoes, why not spice things up with a pair of sandals, or colorful suede shoes instead.
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Don't take this casual style too seriously. After all, you're out to have fun, not get caught up in your "look." You really can't make a mistake if you're out doing something you love, with people you love being with.
Further Reading
You may find the articles below of interest:
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