The Case for Wearing Bright Colors at Work

Everlane wide leg pants work outfit with black blazer and Vara pumps — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair
Black blazer work outfit with red floral top — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair
Ferragamo black Vara pumps work outfit with black blazer and wide leg pants — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair
Spring work outfit with black blazer and red floral top — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair
Black blazer, red floral top, ochre wide leg pants, black Ferragamo Vara pumps — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

Here’s a little work outfit inspiration to kick off the short work week! I wore this look for the training I planned and attended a few weeks ago. I wanted to wear an outfit that combined professionalism and comfort (but leaned heavily towards comfort). These pants fit the bill with their comfort and ease, and I added the blazer and pumps to take the pants up a notch. I actually wore almost this exact outfit for my job interview a couple of years ago; I didn’t yet own these pants so I wore a different pair of pants (an old pair of true work pants that barely fit since I got them during my college years, ha).

As much as I love and feel like myself when I wear neutrals, it’s fun for me to break up the same-ol’ neutral work outfits with a punch of color like this top. I still felt very “me” in this outfit! I find myself drawn to wearing bright(er) colors when I want a bit of a confidence boost, especially when it comes to work because impostor syndrome is real and it doesn’t seem like it’s ever going to go away. Also, I like bringing out my stereotypical feminine side when I show off my work (i.e., master’s defense in a polka dot dress, dissertation proposal defense in a tulle skirt, job interview and hosting a training in this top) because it almost feels rebellious against the patriarchy. It’s my way of saying, “Yes, I can dress feminine and be taken seriously as a scientist at the same time. What about it?”

Now I want to know: Do you feel the same way when it comes to wearing bright colors vs. neutrals in an academic or work environment?

OUTFIT DETAILS

Olivia Moon blazer / old; similar from Target or Old Navy
Who What Wear for Target top / old; similar options: 1 / 2 (last seen here)
Everlane pants / exact (review here; last seen here)
Salvatore Ferragamo pumps c/o Shopbop / exact (last seen here)
Kate Spade earrings / old; similar
Le Specs sunglasses / exact style
Dior Addict Lip Glow in pink / exact

outfitsKimi, Cotton Cashmere Cat Hairspring, workwearComment