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Lifestyle

Revive Your Business Casual Closet

Gone are the days of feeling clueless about what to wear.

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Revive Your Business Casual Closet

On Tuesday night, my dorm room floor had disappeared under the heaping piles of colors, fabrics, and patterns. It was the classic movie scene: a teenage girl tearing apart her closet because she had "absolutely nothing to wear." My roommate had tried on every piece of clothing in her closet, and then eventually moved to mine. You might be surprised to find out, though, that this wasn't the result of stressing over a first date (although, we've been there, too). My roommate was starting her very first internship at the company best known for their must-have shoes found in every preppy college girl's closet, Jack Rogers.

When attending an important meeting, interview, job, or any other upscale event for that matter, the stress of what to wear haunts us from the very beginning. And after working up the courage to ask the dreaded question, "What is the attire?", 9 out of 10 times we're left with the tragic answer: "Business casual is fine." But, what defines business casual in 2018? How casual is business casual? What is the happy medium between over-dressed and under-dressed?

After countless hours of online shopping, in-store shopping, and stalking every fashion influencer I can think of on Instagram, I've found the most popular leading fashion trends that will revamp your business casual closet.

My absolute favorite clothing trend that has been making its mark on the business world this year is a twist on the classic trouser. I purchased my favorite pair at Zara, and they include a ruffled top and a matching fabric belt that looks best tied in a bow. These trousers give a more feminine touch to your typical business pants and can be perfectly paired with a blouse or button down.

Heels scream "fancy" to me, (not to mention I'm terrible at walking in them), so when opting for a business casual look, I aim for suede or leather loafers, usually in black or brown. I found the ideal pair on Amazon (seriously, they have a huge selection of designer brands for half the price) in black suede with tassels, adding the perfect edge to give it a not-so-casual vibe.

For those countless moments when you're pressed for time and need a quick and easy outfit, I suggest investing in a sweater dress. Slipping on a dress can save you the extra minutes you need to finish your morning prep, and the knit material of a sweater dress makes your casual outfit seem even the slightest bit more upscale. My dress of choice, purchased from Free People, includes a slightly higher neck and off-center buttons to give the dress a more polished look.

The fashion world is packed with countless options to keep you constantly indecisive about what to wear for every possible occasion. But, meetings, interviews, and first day on the jobs shouldn't be any more taxing than they already are. By investing in these few pieces, you can prepare for a business casual outfit in just that way … casually.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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