7 Tips to Snap your Work Wardrobe Out of Wintry Hibernation   

Christmas gets all of the credit as the most wonderful time of the year, but after a long winter, some might argue spring is even more remarkable. And as flowers start budding and animals start showing off their newborn babies, many people want to usher in a rebirth of their own — at least as far as their wardrobes are concerned.

It’s never a bad idea to spruce up a closet, especially when the upgrade includes work looks. There are plenty of tips regarding how to pick out what to wear to work, which are helpful year-round. However, the following 7 tips apply specifically to spring — so that every look you don will be just as happy as you feel this season!

Let the Light In
After a long winter, skin has a tendency to look a bit dull. Even worse, the emergence of a spring sun has many people longing for skin that’s got a healthy, dewy, “I’ve totally seen the sun recently” glow. Under the flourescent office lights, this healthy look will make you stand out amongst peers who appear to be a bit on the tired side.

That’s why any successful spring look starts with glowing skin, whether it’s authentic or faked. Those attempting to achieve the latter need only find a skin illuminator that contains subtle shimmer in order to catch just enough light. The end result will draw eyes without turning heads. The same goes for another spring favorite, bronzer. A little goes a long way to make the wearer appear sun-kissed.

Put a Spring in Your Strands
Another area that can likely use a springtime boost: hair. Some hair experts suggest making your virtual way over to Instagram in order to find inspiration, as well as clues as to which hairstyles will be hot this spring. A hairstylist can then translate findings into a look that flatters depending on one’s face shape, hair length, color, etc. Of course, all hair-spiration should be work-appropriate, depending on each person’s particular situation. If blue hair won’t fly in the boardroom, steer clear.

Smile Brighter
With glowing skin and refreshed locks now in the mix, white teeth will further accentuate any face. They’re easy to come by these days, too. Many dentists offer quick, professional whitening that can provide noticeable results in less than an hour. Regularly wearing at-home whitening strips can give smiles a boost, too. And to maintain results, spring fashionistas should stock their medicine cabinets with mouthwash, toothpaste and other oral accoutrements to keep the bright white look.

Have Lips on Lock
Most professionals rock a neutral make-up palette to work, which is completely understandable. However, it should be said a bright slick of lipstick, for example, is fun without being too fun for the office. This spring will bring a boatload of new, popular bright colors into the mix. Not all of them will be work appropriate — Green Flash, anyone? — but they’ll certainly make any look feel more spring-ready.

A new lip color can redefine your style entirely. Try out a new makeup look – or revisit an older makeup trend – by swapping out your color for a fresh, new one. If pink lips are your go-to style, try swapping it out for a 1930’s and 40’s Hollywood look with red lips and dark lashes. If you’re red-lipped normally, go for darker wine lips.

Or Cheer Up Nails
For some, a bright lipstick shade might be too much to try and pull off during the workday, which is completely understandable. If you fall into this category, fear not. You still have plenty of options when it comes to fun nail polish shades.

Pastels, as well as the hot spring colors listed above, add a pop of color to even the blandest pantsuit an employee can wear. It’s also likely co-workers and higher-ups won’t see a splash of nail polish color as unprofessional. In fact, wearers will likely rake in a few compliments from people on all levels of the totem pole. 

Pattern Play
It seems as though only simple patterns make their way into the office, at least in terms of work wardrobes (no comment on the company’s most intricate Excel spreadsheets!). Especially in spring, though, it’s safe to play with and mix patterns in order to create an eye-catching look that still coordinates.

The trick is to choose two fabrics that are within the same color family and potentially have a similar pattern story, such as two florals. Office workers might also consider pattern mixing only when pairing two well-tailored pieces so that they look sharp regardless of how many colors comprise their outfits.

Accessorize It
If you have budgetary constraints, it’s a given that a complete wardrobe overhaul might not be in the cards this spring. If so, one way to make something old feel fresh again is to pair it with a new piece of jewelry. Jewelry and accessories can completely transform the look and feel of an outfit” imagine a simple black shift dress with either a draped woven scarf or lavender floral statement necklace.

If that’s not enough of an incentive, accessories don’t break the bank like a new dress and shoes would. The right springtime accessories will make pantsuits, skirts and button-down tops feel seasonally appropriate, even if they’re super-neutral.

See how easy it is to transition the basics of your wardrobe — and your body — into something that’s in tune with the season? A handful of tweaks to your make-up routine, a few small additions to your closet, and a sweet stack of bling will have you ready for the office this spring. Just make sure to invest in a cute umbrella in order to avoid the season’s infamous showers, and you’re all set.