Infusing Personal Style into Your Professional Wardrobe

With the arrival of fall comes another season that many are apprehensive about: interview season. Whether you're eagerly anticipating your upcoming interviews or feeling a bit overwhelmed by the prospect of numerous interviews in a short timeframe, the experience can be nerve-wracking.

Walking into the interview can be a nerve-racking experience. Some have their lucky bracelet or a lucky blazer, but many struggle to feel confident with the narrow options to express themselves through attire.

Blazers, dress pants, formal dresses, or maybe a skirt if you’re looking to spice things up, is the norm. Within this limited number of options for many formal interviews, there is an even narrower selection of fun statement pieces that deviate from the neutral palette norm.

Dating back from high school I’ve been pushed into the rigid expectation there is for formal attire. Due to an extracurricular I participated in, I often had to wear clothing that was very professional, which limited the options I had to experiment with.

Throughout the years, I’ve learned how to add personal touches to my formal dress wardrobe that have allowed me to exhibit my own personal style and add a touch of personality to my outfits. Doing this has allowed me to feel happier and more confident, and I hope these style tips can do the same for you!

1. Colorful Scarves

Courtesy of @BlueTabla on Pinterest

Adding scarves to your outfit can add a fun pop of color. If you aren’t a huge fan of loud colors, you can opt for a more neutral colorway that has a fun pattern to add some dimension to your outfit. Scarves like this can be found at places like any thrift store, Nordstrom Rack, or any second-hand app!

2. Statement Necklaces

Courtesy of @Camijewerly on Pinterest

Another fun way to spice up your outfit is to have a signature statement necklace that you can throw on and it will match nearly everything. There’s lots of room for experimentation here, and the options are truly limitless. You can find fun statement pieces like these at any local thrift, or flea market (like Clark Park every Saturday from 9 - 2 p.m.), or apps like Depop and Vinted.

3. Go-To Statement Color

Courtesy of @Aligning Ds on Pinterest

Another way to add a unique flare to your formal outfits is to have a go-to color. For me, I tend to opt for an all-black outfit, with a red or royal blue top. You can choose any color that makes you feel the most confident and incorporate it in many different ways to lighten up your outfit. Nails, rings, shirts, and more are ways you can throw in your favorite color and still keep it professional.

4. Patterned Blazers

Courtesy of @NetaPorter on Pinterest

Patterned blazers are another adorable statement piece that allows you to stay in the professional attire realm. Any pattern you can think of you most likely can find on a blazer. From neutral palettes to bright colors, you can find blazers with fun unique designs in almost every variety. These can be found at any local thrift in the city, Clark Park’s Flea Market, or any department store like Zara or H&M.

5. Pop of Color Heels

Courtesy of @Daily Mail on Pinterest

A more subtle way to throw in some color to your outfit is going for a more neutral palette, but adding a pop of color with your shoes. Second-hand shopping for heels has never left me unsatisfied when it comes to color options, prints, and style. If heels aren’t your thing, you can opt for flats or platforms.

Incorporating different facets from the tips above into my formal wardrobe has helped me feel confident and unique. Whether you try all of these or pull inspiration from a few, I hope that these style tips help to make your interview experience even more worthwhile!

Featured image courtesy of Michael Andrews