In college, I felt like it was super easy to pull of multiple outfit changes during the day – one outfit for class, one outfit for meeting with my advisor, one look for yoga, another outfit for a party. My campus was so small that it was easy to rush back to my room for a moment to do a quick clothing change or adjust my makeup.
Not so now at work. Often I find myself having to find creative ways to dress for both work and the events after work, whether that’s a concert, dinner and drinks with friends, or a date with my partner. And it’s not always easy as it looks – especially if you work in an office that has a stricter dress code!
Here are some of my favorite tips for dressing from day to night when you work in an office, plus examples of day to night outfits for work:
Table of Contents
Concert
Day
Products: Lipstick – Sephora, Sweater – Nordstrom, Camisole – Express, Necklace – Nordstrom, Bag – ASOS, Pants – ASOS, Rollerball – Nordstrom, Flats – DSW
You’ve scored tickets to the concert of the year, but of course it’s on a Wednesday because REASONS. You’ve still got to look professional during the day, but chances are you don’t have time to pull off a full outfit change before rushing off to the venue.
Keep it lowkey during the day in a pair of printed trousers, a prim but cozy sweater, and a feminine pink camisole underneath.
Night
Products: Jacket – Nordstrom Rack, Necklace – Saks Off Fifth, Camisole – Express, Rollerball – Nordstrom, Lipstick – Sephora, Pants – ASOS, Shoes – Revolve, Bag – Barney’s Warehouse
When paired with edgy and glam accessories, like a leather jacket, a killer red lip, and glitter booties, a soft pink camisole and printed pants become slinky and cool, a perfect look for any concert from a sold-out arena show to a tiny punk venue. If you can’t spare the room in your bag for a coat and a pair of booties, your back-up blazer and desk heels will do nicely here too.
Be sure to stash your day bag and sweater in your car or your desk so you don’t have to worry about lugging them around at a crowded concert.
Date Night
Day
Products: Blouse – Madewell, Nail Polish – Macy’s, Eyeshadow – Sephora, Earrings – Nordstrom, Pants – Nordstrom, Bag – MANGO, Heels – Nine West
If you’ve got a hot date right after work, don’t underestimate the power of versatile pieces that play nicely in both professional settings and flirty first-date territory. Buckled mules, jacquard pants, and neutral peach eyeshadow all look chic for the boardroom, especially when paired with power pieces like a striped top and a red snakeskin bag.
Night
Products: Blouse – Nordstrom Rack, Nail Polish – Macy’s, Eyeshadow – Sephora, Clutch – Nordstrom, Pants – Nordstrom, Earrings – Vince Camuto, Heels – Nine West
The same mules and pants become romantic but not too obvious when paired with a soft pink ruffled top, a killer embroidered clutch, and dangly silver earrings. Packing a full eyeshadow palette in your makeup bag will allow you to amp up your neutral eyeshadow to sultry smokey eye. (I mean…check out that marsala color!)
Stash your makeup bag, the clutch, and the extra blouse in your day bag for a quick end-of-day change before heading of to your date.
Girls’ Night
Day
Products: Blouse – Amazon, Earrings – Wolf & Badger, Shoes – Express, Lipstick – Sephora, Bag – Barney’s Warehouse, Cardigan – Nordstrom, Skirt – Macy’s
Even if you don’t have the space or the time to do a full outfit change, accessories can do a toooon of heavy lifting in a day to night outfit for work.
Here, a white blouse with a sweet black tie detail and a flirty lace-up pencil skirt get a fun and springy pop of color from a pair of yellow brogues, while a soft gray cardi softens the look, making this look perfect for a cool spring day in the office.
Night
Products: Blouse – Amazon, Bag – Express, Blush – Sephora, Earrings – Net-a-Porter, Heels – Macy’s, Skirt – Macy’s
For an after-work drinks outfit, turn up the heat on the same sweet blouse and tie-up skirt with a pair of coral peep-toe heels, a lavender shoulder bag, modern silver hoop earrings, and flirty peach blush.
Paired with your slightly vampy red lipstick from the day, this makeup look reads young, fun, and flirty, which will help to elevate your day look to the perfect get up for a girls’ night out.
What do you think?
Would you wear any of these day to night outfits for work? What are your tips and trick for dressing for both work and night? Let me know in the comments below!