Dressing Like An Office Manager on a Barista's Paycheck

There comes a time in everyone’s life when food service just becomes unbearable. What sounds really good after months or years of smelling like french fries, working on holidays and weekends, and dealing with grumpy, hungry people?

An office job.

A nice, quiet, grown-up-feeling day job where you have a guaranteed lunch break and dress like a real-live person instead of like someone who just crawled out of bed. Many of us make that jump quickly- and find ourselves in a scary place the night before, wondering if those slacks from eighth grade choir concerts will still fit. I am here to rescue you from that terrifying place with a few rags-to-riches tips that don’t involve a thousand-dollar shopping trip. Here we go!

Tip #1: Assess Your Staples

You’d be surprised how many business-casual outfits you can put together with the closet you already have. The trick? Staples, staples, staples: the pieces you can dress up or down and wear fifteen different ways if you put your mind to it. I knew that my staples were simple tops, pixie pants/colored jeans, and cardigans, and once I knew that, I could work it to my business-casual advantage. Case in point: take a look at how many ways you can dress up your pair of black jeans.

Tip #2: Learn to Layer

Sweaters. Jackets. Vests. Scarves. These are the magic layers that will make your casual Saturday outfit office-ready. Adding a layer not only makes the whole ensemble more interesting by adding another texture, color, or pattern, but also distracts from the fact that altogether, each piece is super simple. Nothing from Banana Republic or Ann Taylor here, and yet? Still lookin’ fabulous.

Tip #3: Accessories Are SO Fun

When in doubt, add a chunky belt, animal-print shoe, or dangly necklace. I am definitely an earrings girl and have a stash of fun ones to add some color to any outfit I’m not feeling excited about. You can do the same thing with whatever your trademark is: do you have a million pairs of shoes? Use that! Are scarves or bracelets your thing? Use that, too! Having fun is the whole point of getting dressed. Make it exciting for you, however that may be!

Bonus Tip: If You’re Gonna Splurge…

...make it something you can adapt for lots of outfits. If you decide to go shopping and end up getting, say, an adorable long-sleeve midi dress... you can pretty much only play with the shoes and accessories you wear with it. However, if you go for a patterned blouse or a pair of paper-bag pants (like the ones I’ve been eyeing), the sky is the limit when it comes to mixing and matching with your existing pieces. Get used to thinking creatively when you're browsing through Target. How many ways could you wear that top with the pants or skirts you already own?

There are so many more things to think about when it comes to swapping your everyday outfit from low-key to business-fancy, but these are definitely my favorites. Remember, at the end of the day, looking your best is a great feeling, but you’re already hired. You must’ve worn something right!