Dress down

By Wambui Thimba

The ease of putting on a one-piece outfit to work every morning is only part of the appeal for office wear.

However, when you want to dress down, there are various options in basic plain colours and patterns for women of every shape and size.

If you have not discovered the comfort of wearing dresses in lieu of skirts and blouses under jackets or on their own, now is the time to do so

You can still add a striking necklace or a mixture of pearls and a gold chain with earrings to look terrific.

Not just any dress will do the job, though. Frilly or sexy dresses are great for the weekend. Like all other items in your wardrobe, the fit of your dresses is important. A dress only looks elegant if it is slightly loose, not too figure hugging.

This is why you should choose fabrics such as wool, linen, tightly woven knits and challis among others to effect the look. The best style for a dress down that is without a jacket is the coatdress or shift dress, which is tailored to look finished on its own.

The simpler the dress design, the easier it is to change its look by adding a belt or scarf, or wearing a brooch or chains.

You can also co-ordinate the dress with different jacket lengths and styles. If you have to go to work, the dress shifts successfully into a stylish outfit for the evening.