Pack a Bag with Easy Outfits for After Work
I have a couple of clients who are nurses. What I've heard from them is that they often feel like they don't really get dressed-they wear scrubs at work, they don't usually change into "real clothes" after work, and on the weekend they wear the same casual clothes they wear at home after work.
I've got a few ideas for women who wear a uniform during the day-or even for those of us who wear more conservative clothes at work than we like to wear elsewhere.
Pack a Small Bag
Don't worry-I'm not saying to pack a bag every day. Once a season, pack a few things in a bag and leave them somewhere at work. You'll be more able to spontaneously go somewhere fun after work than if you don't have anything to wear, you won't have the excuse of not having the right clothes, and you'll get more use out of the clothes that you do have. I do this with my yoga clothes-it's so much easier to make it to class when I have the clothes in my office and the mat in my car.
Fill the Bag with Basics and Small Touches
Your new office bag is not the place to put a new dress or something you wish you'd wear but you don't. We can talk about that later! This is the place for some basics, whatever those are for you. Pack things that you know will fit, can go over basically any underwear you might have on that day and work with a variety of shoes. For me, this would be a black t-shirt that's a little bit longer in the back than the front, a pair of dark jeans, and a cardigan or blazer that can be rolled or mushed without wrinkling. Once you wear it, be sure to replace it with the same basics or a new set for the next time you want them.
If you
wear your scrubs after work, basics like a soft v-neck t-shirt could easily be tucked into your scrub pants in the front and left loose in the back. Of all places, I like the v-necks from American Eagle best (avoid the white, it's see-through). But, if you're looking to step it up a notch, consider a more grown-up alternative to a t-shirt. Like one of these! They're just as easy to carry and wear as a t-shirt, but they're more fun.
Add a pair of hoops and a denim or leather moto jacket and you're ready to go meet friends.
With the PJ trend going on now, your scrubs won't look so out of place anymore. If you are able to choose your own scrubs, you might consider something neutral that won't look so much like scrubs after hours.
For the small touches, I mean to include little accessories that you won't miss if you take them out of your rotation and put them into your office bag. Think things like basic hoop earrings or an interesting pair that make you feel "dressed up." Another way to go is a "statement necklace"-something that dresses up even a basic t-shirt (see above).
No matter where you live, you can always include a great scarf (heavy or light) to be worn with the basics.
