Tips to Transform Work Clothes Into After-Work Clothes

Tips For Getting Your Nine to Five Clothes Go From Five to Nine

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

I'm trying to save money, which means spending a lot less on clothes. The problem is, I feel like I constantly need to buy for two separate wardrobes. There's my day-time work clothes, which are pretty formal and less revealing than what I'd wear out at night. My after-work clothes are more trendy and fun. Do you have any ideas for how I can make my work clothes work for after-work?

Sincerely,

Working It

A:

Dear Working It,

When you're on a budget, you need some easy ways to make your wardrobe go the extra mile. With a few simple changes, work clothes can easily be worn as after-work clothes. Trust me, it's not as hard as you think.

When you need your nine to five clothes to go from five to nine, consider the following tips:

1. Change your jewelry. Dangly earrings spell festive and night time, while studs spell serious business at the office.

2. Change your hairstyle. If your hair is up in a messy up do, consider a neat chignon. If your hair is in a pony tail for daytime, consider wearing it loose and wild for night.

3. Shoe in. Flats are fine for day, but when it comes to night time, and dressing up a casual outfit, you will want some heels to give your leg a sexxy silhouette and give yourself the feeling of festivity instead of daytime drudge. In fact, why not try some fishnets too?

4. Your fragrance should be light for daytime, but you can go with something stronger and more sensual for a less casual affair.

5. Makeup should be low lit and not obtrusive for day, but when it comes to an evening, dressy affair, add some color to your face, some sparkle to your skin, and an extra coat of mascara or some false eyelashes to your eyes.

6. Don't over accessorize. Women have a tendency to wear ALL the accessories they own for daytime. Make sure you aren't chopping your silhouette into sections with a belt, horizontal stripes, necklaces, bracelets, hair bands, etc. When it comes to making something casual and simple look elegant, less is more. Not bare, but less.

7. Show your toes. A closed toe shoe says day time, but a strappy sandal with a heel where your pedicure is on display says elegant and nighttime.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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