How to Make Professional Office Attire Look Young and Modern

Over the past few years, we've seen a change in the definition of "work appropriate" attire. What used to mean chunky heels and blazers now means "find a way to look your age in the office." Confused? So is the rest of the female workforce. We saw closed-toed shoes and black skirts turn into flip flops and tank tops overnight. A few of us got fired in the transition, but that's another story. Today, thankfully, it's all about learning how to appear professional without looking like the lady in the cubicle next to you who's staring retirement in the face. Learn how to mesh a young, modern personality (and all the coveted creativity that comes with it) with attire that's completely appropriate for the office.

Let start from the beginning, shall we? When it comes to tops, blazers are quickly being replaced with cardigans and softer shells. The catch? A belt that ties it all together is necessary to take toned-down attire to the next level. If cardigans with belts aren't your thing but you'd still like to lighten up a bit, be sure to focus on structure and lines. Some portion of your top must have a bit of definition. Piping down the sides, an elastic band underneath the bra-line, and/or a crisp, stiff structure are recommended. As far as colors go, stay away from bold prints unless your cardigan or alternative cover-up is neutral.

For your office skirt wardrobe, fortunately you don't have to borrow your mother's black all-purpose business suit. Young, modern, professional office attire means having just a little freedom in the right places, and this is one of them. Prints can be a little wilder, and colors can be a little bolder. The only catch here is the length. A knee-length pencil skirt or an A-line is a safe bet every time. Shorter skirts in the office still scream "inappropriate," no matter how old (or young) you are. A lesser known fact is that longer, tea-length skirts can say "I thought I was headed to church this morning." While shorter hemlines are still a bit taboo in the professional arena, longer lengths are a put-off as well.

While we're on the legs, let's talk about denim. While the rules for looking young in office dress pants haven't changed much, wearing denim to work in an attempt to look your age can backfire (even if denim is allowed in the dress code). Just to be sure you aren't crossing any invisible lines, keep office denim attire extremely dark and in a trouser style. No skinny-leg jeans or lighter washes allowed.

Finally, let's talk about the shoes, a woman's favorite way to spice up her boring office attire. Ten years ago, showing up to work in four inch heels in an attempt to look younger and more modern would have left you with a pink slip and a "good luck." Today, the problem is less about how high a heel is, and more about how low it is. Flats have made a comeback, and they're causing a problem for career girls. While wearing flats or heels under two inches was the office attire norm in the nineties, ballet flats today are designed for more casual wear. As such, keep your flats in the closet until casual Friday comes around. If you do decide to wear heels, keep the toes pointy and the heel itself slender rather than chunky in order to keep the look age-appropriate.

Remember, looking young in the office can be an asset if you know how to work your way around the closet. While being the young employee used to mean getting hassled and trained vigorously for years, today it means being the go-to person for information on the latest technology and how to reach out to the growing market of increasingly wealthy young people. You have an edge at the office, no matter what industry you're in, so don't be afraid to let it show in your attire.