Casual Workwear

work wear over 40

This is what I wear to work

Most of my outfit shoots take place on Saturdays, occasionally on Sundays. This is because my photographer / hubby Professor M is only around at weekends. Yes, I’m a weekend wife… Long story short: we spend the work week apart, in different countries. It’s less complicated than it sounds.

Anyway, these pictures were actually taken on a Monday, after work. Well, it isn’t really that different from what I wear at weekends…

About 90% of my clothes are ‘work appropriate’, and the 10% that is not is probably too formal rather than too informal. As you may (or may not) know, I work as a language teacher in adult education, and my students come from all walks of life. I also work in a country with an extremely relaxed and casual dress code. So, wearing a suit would be a no-no (lawyers, politicians and captains of industry can just about get away with that; for anyone else it’s too formal) and would scare the living daylights out of my students. A pencil skirt or a wrap dress is OK, in most cases, as long as it’s worn in a rather casual way.

I dress for comfort, of course, and I’m often in a hurry in the morning. I admit that I sometimes just grab the first thing I find in my wardrobe and put it on. You see, I’m not a morning person, and my brain can barely manage the complicated processes needed to get me on the train on time. Having a colour-coordinated wardrobe that mixes and matches well helps.

However, dressing for work is not just about me and my comfort. I also want to make my students feel at ease. Thus, I have to look approachable: someone they can relate to. So, casual rather than formal is what’s required, and a dose of crazy can work wonders. A dose of crazy? Unusual accessories, bright colours and prints. In small portions: the idea is to make people think I don’t take myself too seriously, not scare them away.

trench coat over 40

over 50 blogger

Outfit details:

trench coat: Hobbs / jeans: Next / shirt: KappAhl / scarf: Global / 

bag: Furla / shoes: Nike / sunglasses: Chanel

What do you wear to work?

Tiina

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14 Comments

  1. Shybiker
    15 May 2016 / 9:06 pm

    Isn't it interesting that people react to how we dress, so we carefully choose what we wear knowing they will react to it? It's like a choreographed dance where each move means something and both partners know that.

    • Tiina L
      16 May 2016 / 3:50 pm

      People react to the way we dress, either consciously or subconsciously. If the outfit is very flamboyant and extravagant, people remember the outfit. But even a more modest outfit plays a part in how other people see us, even if they don't remember the outfit afterwards. Personally, I want my clothes to play a supporting role: I want people to remember me and have a sense of my personality. Clothes are important, but I don't want my clothes to overshadow me.

  2. Patti
    15 May 2016 / 9:50 pm

    Looks very approachable, authentic, and friendly. And I love how your pieces mix and match from week to week, without huge shopping hauls! Thanks for linking, xo-Pattihttp://notdeadyetstyle.com

    • Tiina L
      16 May 2016 / 3:52 pm

      Thanks, Patti! I actually have a very small wardrobe. I'm bit of a minimalist and prefer to have fewer items (but better quality).

  3. Nancy's Fashion Style
    16 May 2016 / 7:39 am

    It is interesting. Just like someone in a floral dress is more approciable to people than someone in a black dress!

    • Tiina L
      16 May 2016 / 3:55 pm

      I think it also depends on how the person and the outfit interact. The outfit must match the personality, in a way. Some people look really good in black, and you don't even realise they're wearing black because it looks somehow so natural. I find that colour not only makes me feel good but also helps me look good.

  4. Hanna Lei
    16 May 2016 / 12:41 pm

    I love that purple. Coat. Interesting discussion. -Hanna LeiLatest Post: Outfit: Floral Skirt + Stefilia's Stone Necklace

    • Tiina L
      16 May 2016 / 3:55 pm

      Thank you.

  5. Mummabstylish
    18 May 2016 / 4:56 pm

    Those colours suits you so well, great photos too – I'm new to blogging and can't get my photos sharp, maybe need a new camera..Jacquiwww.mummabstylish.com

    • Tiina L
      18 May 2016 / 8:39 pm

      Thank you, Jacqui. My husband takes all my outfit photos, and I edit them using Photoshop (resizing, fixing lighting etc). We have learned a lot about photography in these two years, and we're stil learning.

  6. Jessica Jannenga
    19 May 2016 / 1:35 pm

    Purple is one of my favorite colors on you! In love with your scarf as well. Hubby takes my pictures too. Are those metallic brogues? nice!Thanks for linking up with Turning Heads Tuesday!jess xxwww.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

    • Tiina L
      19 May 2016 / 5:31 pm

      Thanks, Jessica. The metallic shoes are not brogues but Nike trainers (or sneakers, as you would say), I often wear them with jeans.

  7. Nicole Mölders
    24 May 2016 / 4:38 am

    Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style.

    • Tiina L
      24 May 2016 / 9:00 am

      Thanks, Nicole.

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