Casual Friday, I'm in Love

Thu, 23 Dec 10

You’ve become acquainted with the snooze button several times, breakfast consists of a hastily heaped spoonful of muesli and a breath mint, while the only thing more dishevelled than your hair is the state of your wardrobe as you race out the door. It could only be Friday morning.

Shirt Studio has a few helpful tips to avoid the casual Friday panic and put together an outfit that allows you to greet the end of the working week with style.

Although comfort is the most important element of smart casual style, a dress code does apply to casual Friday. It is very important to consider your schedule when planning a Friday outfit, as an off-putting outfit has the potential to turn a client meeting sour. To risk stating the obvious, it is also important to launder and iron all clothing. You might think that the slightly crumpled shirt pulled from the dirty clothes basket (“I only wore it for a few hours last Sunday!”) is acceptable. Sadly, your co-worker at the desk an arms length from you may not agree.

Less is More   

Finally…skin. We all have it and on Casual Friday, it often appears to show itself at an alarming rate. No matter what day of the week, very low necklines and short hemlines are unacceptable for a work place. This goes for men as well, as chances are, the boss will not want to see your latest body piercing. The easiest way to avoid a fashion faux pas in the office is to find a balance between conservative casual dress and expressing your own personal style. Shirt Studio’s Spring Summer 2010 collection features vibrant bursts of raspberry, neon brights, crisp white and hot pink, providing the perfect colour palette for a Friday outfit.

Men’s Style 

• Don’t compromise professionalism for comfort. Shorts, flannel shirts and sandals are best left for the weekend. However, bright coloured hues are welcome, as are vibrant checks and stripes.
• Blend splashes of colour, such as Shirt Studio’s light blue and green stripe placket contrast shirt.
• Dark denim is man’s best friend on a Friday, as long as jeans are not ripped, dirty or faded.
  Torn or frayed clothing, missing buttons and scuffed shoes are best left along with grunge in the 90’s.
• If denim isn’t your thing, choose neatly ironed trousers in colours that will easily match different looks, such as black or tan.
• A lightweight jacket in a fabric such as cotton or linen can replace a bulky suit jacket and street style footwear offers an alternative to polished corporate shoes.

Women’s Style  

• Towering stilettos can be left at home in favour of a softer footwear approach, such as cork wedges, ballet flats or embellished sandals.
• Alike the men, dark hued jeans are the perfect basis for a Friday outfit, which can be teamed with a vibrant coloured shirt; think deep purple, lime green or pastel pink.
• Swapping corporate attire for relaxed garments such as cotton shirt dresses, soft cardigans and skirts are ideal as the weather warms up.
• Summer short sleeved shirts are also perfect for casual Friday, from striking block colours to pinstripes and paisley.