Casual vs. Workwear - what is the difference for you? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Casual vs. Workwear - what is the difference for you?

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Since I have been biking to work I have not been able to take outfit pictures every day (outside of a few here and there in the restroom at work. )-: ). Hence, my outfit diary has become a chronicle of me weekendwear and you know what?

I don't really like my weekendwear. I don't like dressing down but I feel silly wearing work clothes out to burgers/beers or shopping at Costco.

so, I started trying to figure out how I could still feel fab but not be dressed up. One thing I relized is that my casual wardrobe has a more RATE feel - skinny cords, oversized sweaters, distressed booties - and my work wear is more streamlined and modern. I think for me the answer to this conundrem is to figure out how to make my casual outfits more streamlined and modern.

What about you? if you dress differently on the weekends what makes it different? Do you like your casual wardrobe better, or your work wardrobe better and why (or, do you like both the same and why?)

If you don't dress differently during the week (i.e. you are usually dressed casually) what do you do to "perk" up your causal outfits? How is your style expressed in your casual wardrobe?

Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from rae

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

My work wardrobe is more modest and toned down.

My casual style is...less put together, more adventerously trendy and...kind of more fun >.> Basically..more me.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

My workplace does not allow jeans, except on Fridays, so my workwear is much more business dress oriented. Because I work full-time, my work wardrobe is much larger than my casual and I'm still trying to figure out ways to make some items fit both "teams".

crwilson

Veteran

I definitely like my work wardrobe a lot better, but I think it's mostly because I invest my money and time there, and not so much in my casual clothes. Since I'm usually at home with little kids, and it seems to involve paints, play dough, and slobber a lot, I hate spending any substantial money on those clothes. To perk it up, I wear a lot more colors than I would normally wear, but I still don't love my weekend wear.

D'Ellen

Veteran

My workplace is pretty casual, but I tend to dress up more than most of my co-workers. I love the vibe of my current season work wardrobe of skirts, dress pants, cardigans and jackets, and I'm trying to carry some of that love over to my very casual weekend activities. The biggest difference in my weekend wardrobe is jeans, which are banned at work. So on weekends my top half might look much the same as a work day - with jeans on the bottom instead of a skirt or dress pants. I'll even wear some of my dress booties with a weekend outfit, depending on how much walking I plan to do. And I almost always add a scarf.

My answer would be very different if it was summer, because I can never figure out what to wear on summer weekends.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I work from home so my lifestyle is very casual, but I prefer to look dressy. So it's been a bit of a struggle balancing my aesthetic preferences with my lifestyle. In general, I try to choose items that aren't very dressy or very casual. And I always try pair opposites. For example, I'd wear a silk or lace blouse with cargo pants and heels, or a graphic t-shirt with dressy micro-check pants and ballet flats, that sort of thing. I like to fall more on the side of polished or streamlined than RATE, no matter what I'm wearing. I think my haircut really contributes to my outfits in that way. But I also like to be playful in my look. I have to watch out for silhouettes and prints that tend to make me look too juvenile. I've cut way back on ruffles and bows. I generally tend to avoid peter pan collars, that sort of thing. It's an ongoing process, and I'm still figuring it out. It's good that you figured out what characteristics of your work wardrobe you like. It'll really help when you begin adding new items to your weekend wardrobe.

wannabe

My workplace is a hodgepodge of super casual and business casual so I tend to dress the same during the week and on weekends, except I think I'm more adventurous on the weekends. I'll try out outfits at home before I'll wear them to work. I also tend to wear my funkier jewelry pieces on the weekend but not to work. I've been wearing skinny jeans at home on the weekends but they're yet to make an appearance in front of coworkers. Stuff like that.

Robin B.

I agree with crwilson... my work clothes are crisp, have modern lines and I feel more stylish when I wear them, but it's because that's where I choose to spend my money. My workplace is not super formal, but as a member of management I feel that I have a duty to look professional and polished so that is where I tend to blow my clothing budget. I am beginning to buy more trendy casual clothes but its a slow process. I'm having fun discovering my personal style. I'm actually hoping you fab ladies will help me with that! Accessories are an area of weakness for me but I know they can make or break a look.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Jenava --

I definitely felt like you did about my casual clothes ~ two years ago. [And I still like my work clothes better!]

Mine were just kind of blah, and yet I felt stupid wearing the *same* dressier clothes on the weekend. I don't mind overlap -- and have a lot of it -- but who wants to feel as if they're at work when they aren't, right?

Yet it was hard to justify spending on them when I needed the work clothes more. I tried to do what you're thinking about -- bringing the elements I liked for work into the weekend outfits but in a different way. So:

* buying the same silhouette, but in a more casual fabric (scoopneck sweater in a pattern vs a solid, pencil skirt in denim/cotton vs wool)

* finding ways to create a monochromatic or tonal casual outfit (which I love to do for work) but with lots of texture vs smoother work fabrics

Ironically this helped me out when I did a stint at a sub-casual workplace and didn't feel like spending money to "casualize" my wardrobe...I would either wear the new weekend stuff on its own or pair it with dressier items to tone those down. [Also helped me justify buying a few more casual items!]

Maybe you could focus on two areas to "swap" in/out? So if you wear mostly neutrals, look for your normal shapes but in more color/pattern? And if you wear X silhouette, check for different fabrications?

Or maybe you just need a new, "intentional" weekend style vs a default one you don't really like?

Keep us posted. I'm sure there are others besides me who could learn a lot!

Aida

Veteran

I dress casual/smart-casual pretty much all the time, but I do dress slightly differently for work vs. weekend. Work is usually more streamlined, urban, experimental, and dressier. Weekend is usually more RATE, earthier, less experimental. For example, for work I'd wear a blazer and for weekend a utility vest; for work I usually wear high heels and for weekend lower heels/flats; for work layered/statement jewelry and for weekend minimal jewelry.

I would like to have a greater difference though, push my work wear to be more dressy and my weekend wear to be more RATE. I think taking my most casual "work" items and moving them to weekend, upgrading those open spots to dressier items, then adding a couple distressed weekend items would be perfect.

ironkurtin

Veteran

My casual clothes are where my work clothes go when they retire. My workplace is very casual so there's a fair number of cross, but generally my casual clothes are softer, more faded, and a bit less form-fitting,

Scarlet

Veteran

There is basically no difference for me unless there is a special work event, like a conference or dinner or something, and then I am only dressing slightly smarter. It has been my big challenge to make casual clothes polished and interesting. I do enjoy the freedom even though sometimes I would like more reasons to dress up. It means that when I have any kind of social engagement I am often overdressed because I am so happy for the opportunity.

Abi

I work in a kindy so all my work clothes are things I don't mind getting paint/crayon etc on. Infact most of my work clothes used to be weekend clothes that got 'demoted' because they eventually stretched or got marks on.

kimlee

Veteran

The large majority of my wardrobe is devoted to my work wardrobe. I have a lot of suits, suit seperates (jackets, trousers, skirts), and blouses (both knit and woven). I am learning how to take these dressy elements and make them work for a casual environment. One of my favorite weekend looks now, is my Gap Long and Leans, boots, a brightly colored long sleeve tee and topped with one of suit jackets with the sleeves scrunched. These type of looks help me to feel as if their is more cohension between my work look and my weekend look.

MsMary

Veteran

I work in one of the last remaining bastions of Business (Semi) Formal, so my work wear is very different from my weekend wear. During the week I wear pencil skirts or dress pants or dresses, almost always with a jacket on top. It's a very dressy look. On the weekends I change out the skirts for skinny jeans, often in bright colors, and more casual and/or adventurous footwear. A lot of my jackets and cardi's do double duty for both work and weekends.

I love both of my wardrobes and feel like they make similar style statements despite being different in context and purpose.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love what MaryK said there; I think she's achieved that. Cohesion, yet using many different elements. Maybe for her that is quite easy because a big part of her signature style is COLOUR. So if she takes bright colours and just uses a different cut or fabric (more casual) for the weekend, she has her weekend formula, but still feels like herself.

Jeneva, I was thinking that maybe Denise (CocoLion) would be a good model for you of someone who dresses very casually but also with a distinctly modern, clean-lined flair. For her (I believe) it's everyday wear, but the jeans and clean-lined modern topper look is one you might aim for on weekends to maintain continuity with your work style.

i work mostly from home so I'm almost always dressed casually, and weekends are no different from any other day. I do need dressier wardrobe items for presentations, readings, and other similar events where I'm in the public eye. That can go from smart casual to outright dressy, depending.

My challenge is like Scarlet's. How to make casual clothing feel and look smart, polished, and interesting. And like her, whenever there is a chance to go out I sometimes want to overdress.

MsMary

Veteran

Suz, I am almost always overdressed on the weekends, and I've decided that's okay with me. I think I've posted this before, but quite a few years ago I was having lunch with some colleagues and a woman I really admired for her fab style remarked, "I am almost always overdressed everywhere I go, and I am perfectly okay with that."

For some reason that statement stuck with me and I have adopted it as my motto, too! LOL

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Now, I wouldn't call you overdressed for weekends, MaryK. Your weekend style looks like great smart casual style to me! But I know what you mean; some people are wearing...well...we just won't go there, and you are far more "dressed" than they are.

Sorry to derail, Jeneva!

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

No, you're not derailing! I know exactly what MaryK means. I don't mind being overdressed either. I would much rather feel good about how I look than "blend in" and feel like a schlump!

I think Vix's point is what I am trying to accomplish. I need more edgy knit tops and dresses and trendy bottoms that are casual enough to to comfortable on the weekend but still reflect my style. I also need to re-vamp my casual footwear to be more modern. For some reason my casual wear has gotten a "bohemian" vibe to it that is just not me!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Jenava, I didn't weigh in at first because workwear has been a uniform based around jeans for me for years now. But I agree with the nicer knit tops as a good start for the casual pulled together look. A few of my recent WIW's with a silkier, more fluid draping tee made all the difference. And neither top was over $10, it was simply a matter of finding a better draping material. I will add that accessorizing will give that little edge as well. Recent epiphany for me that all you ladies have known for years lol. But simply a funky belt or pair of earrings was enough to 'up' my look and make me feel way more stylish.

Nakidra

Veteran

I'm with MaryK... I have to wear suits or business casual to work as an attorney ... always suits or dresses when I go to court- so my weekend wear is usually a little bit overdressed because that what I have .... I'm either in a suit, a workout/running outfit, or a pretty put together ensemble of jeans and a sweater or top.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I haven't managed to read the comments because I'm rushing, but this is an excellent question and observation, Jenava.

For my own style, I am more than happy to look casual from the waist down - Docs, distressed boots, faded jeans, Converse. But I never look casual from the waist up because it doesn't feel right (FOR ME - could feel 100% right FOR YOU). I am still very buttoned up on top when I wear casual bottoms and footwear. I cannot wear anything remotely t-shirty (or t-shirty in fabrication), so I stick to knitwear, shirts and blouses. A fitted sweater turtleneck is the most casual top that I own. I also put a button down under my Breton striped long sleeved t-shirt to smarten it up.

Got to run!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I am like Mo -- restaurant/bar work so I have a "uniform" that's based around jeans and washable tops and Sanita clogs. I also wear a dirndl when we serve German food every month. My style is not cohesive due to the limitations of my job.

My "weekends" fall mid week when the restaurant is slow.

So my "weekend" wear is smart casual. I am much dressier on my weekends because that is my only chance to dress up. Here's a link to a recent thread so you can see what I'm talking about.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ng-minimal

And I am flattered that Suz called me out as an example! I really don't mind being a little overdressed compared to others. I think the fact that I wear jeans (albeit in dressy fabrications) helps tone things down. Also, I keep accessories to a minimum and don't go for stiletto heels, that also keeps me from looking very dressed up.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I am trying to find some cohesion in my work and weekend looks, too. I'm the opposite of you, though, and I love my casual clothes, but feel very meh about my business clothes.

I think your strategy is on the mark - more modern and interesting cuts in your casual life should help. I am trying to pay more attention to color in my work wardrobe as well, sticking with ones that fall in line with my RATE/UWP leanings rather than slick, modern colors.