We find today's executive in a post-Covid society, one where masks are optional in the office, and so is a suit. Work-from-home culture has dressed them in a favorite thread-bare college hoodie three days out of the week for the past two and a half years -- a stark contrast from the daily suit they used to wear. Our executive wonders: in lieu of a rigid dress code, how does one pick out an outfit for the office in 2023?

Regardless of one's field of work, we all get dressed. Every single morning. Some offices may adhere to a specific dress code of a daily suit and tie, and others may entertain a more casual environment that encourages their employees to dress however they want. In every case, though, we are choosing what to put on our bodies, and we are given an opportunity each day to express ourselves.

Many people have strong opinions on this topic. Consider the Senate's recent squabble over whether or not to adopt a more relaxed dress code. Traditionalists may believe that a suit implies a certain level of professionalism. Perhaps that's just because it's the way things "have been" and "should be," and that's not a good reason for anything. Giving up the old traditions -- or in this case, dress codes -- does not mean turning them completely upside down. A younger professional may swear off suits because they feel dated or pointless to getting a job done. The reality of it all lives somewhere that's not so black and white. Dressing well can be done in many ways along the spectrum, from casual to formal. That is where personal style comes into play.

Whether a person is dressing for comfort or dressing to impress, they are making a choice. Maybe these choices are done subconsciously, but every time we pull a piece from our closet, we are making a statement. Some might feel that they are exempt from the fashion world because they take themselves too seriously. Some have never cared about what they wear (cure Miranda Priestly's iconic monologue from The Devil Wears Prada -- and if you're not familiar with it, I encourage you to stop reading and look it up). I promise you that these people are still going around clothed, so clearly there have been some decisions made in regards to wardrobe. Our daily choices have a significant effect on how we present ourselves at work. Think about this: your employer/employee sees your outfit before your interaction has even begun. Why not make the decision to present yourself in a way that is consistent with your personality and work ethic?

What we need to realize is that there are many options that are neither the hoodie nor the suit, that there is a vast difference between comfortable and sloppy, dressy and stuffy. Getting comfortable identifying our tastes is crucial, and from there it becomes much more natural in our day-to-day life to curate a wardrobe that reflects each of our individual styles.

If this feels like a difficult task, take this into account. You know what you like to eat every day. You know which TV shows you like and which you don't. Why wouldn't you have styles of clothing that speak to you? Yes, this can be daunting if you feel you are going in blind. The easiest way to define your style is to take a look at what you already have. The good news here is that you are guaranteed to have clothes in your repertoire that you have selected, and seeing that can be very informative. Maybe you've got an overwhelming amount of the color black in your closet, like myself. Maybe most of your favorite pieces are leaning comfort-forward or oversized. You may notice that many of your go-to pieces are from the same brand, same color scheme, or possibly the same fabrics. These are important things to note, and from there, you can identify which pieces reflect you and your personal brand. Keeping this in mind when shopping for new clothes creates a certain amount of consistency when developing personal style.

Working with a stylist can help you get more specific in this process and introduce you to more curated options, but the groundwork can easily be done on you own. Moving forward, you may understand why choosing a stiffly tailored suit doesn't feel quite right, or why you tend to steer clear of fitted pieces. If you focus on comfort, and still prioritize looking polished in the workplace, you may trade out your suit jacket for a pullover sweater as your new uniform. If you'd like to convey a bolder message, maybe a brightly-colored dress and boots is what makes you feel best, and still just as put together. Neither is a suit. Neither is an old hoodie. But both are an authentic and well-chosen expression of you.

Take a look through your closet. Pull out the pieces you find yourself wearing over and over. You will likely find that your personal style is right there in front of you, and from there, we can expand.

Wynstone Partners now offers styling services. Please contact our team for more info.