Update Your Spring Work Wardrobe

When it comes to dressing for work, are you stuck in a rut? Are all of the Ann Taylor ensembles making you depressed? Well, it’s time to snap out of it! We all know that shopping for work can be a drag, but with the stylish office-appropriate options available this season, we have the pieces to freshen up your look and brighten your outlook this spring.

Full skirts on the runway for a little inspiration. (Photo: InStyle)

Full skirt

Ditch the staid pencil skirt for a tea-length full skirt. This look might not work in the most corporate environments, but for business casual offices it should work just fine. In fact, you’ll probably get tons of compliments for daring to try it. Wear your voluminous skirt with a tailored jacket or top and understated shoes – the skirt should be the statement piece the rest of your outfit is working around.

Boxy, cropped jackets on Spring 2014 runways. (Photo: Glamour)

Boxy, cropped jacket

A wardrobe revamp can be as simple as a change in jacket length. Instead of your tried and true (and tired) classic fit blazer, try a jacket with three-quarter sleeves or cropped. Pair your cropped jacket with a patterned blouse and cigarette-style or wide-leg pants.

Victoria Beckham blazer vest (Photo: Glamour)

Blazer vest

If you don’t like the cropped look, sleeveless blazers are also in style. The blazer vest adds a little edge to an office wardrobe, and it’s great for layering over dresses and pairing with a variety of skirt and top silhouettes. Take what’s already in your wardrobe and substitute your blazer or cardigan for a blazer vest. It will look fresh in an instant!

Bar III pastel pink blouse from Macy’s (left) and Marni dress (right) (Photos: Macy’s and InStyle)

Pastels

Wear a full-on pastel suit and you run the risk of losing face in the workplace. But I wouldn’t avoid pastels altogether. Go for pale-hued separates — a pastel blazer, blouse or accessory can do wonders to soften your look and keep your wardrobe current.

Miu Miu Metalic leather loafers (left) and J. Crew Cleo perforated mirror metallic loafers (Photos: Saks Fifth Avenue and J. Crew)

Metallic loafers

Did I mention that metallics look amazing with pastels? I’ve always been surprised at how many outfits metallic shoes  seem to go with. In many ways, metallic loafers are the multi-functional shoe of spring.

Wide-leg trousers on the runway for Spring 2014 (Photo: InStyle)

Wide-leg pants

Don’t forget a pair of wide-leg trousers (THE pant of spring) and your new wardrobe is good to go!