Professionalism or self-expression? Content creator and business owner Candice Dela Cruz says you can have both with your workplace wear.
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Understandably, it can be overwhelming to get the right outfit when it’s your first time working at an office. Most of us don’t live in a The Devil Wears Prada world where we can just pull pieces from the office closet. But just because you’re finally dressing up for the workplace, doesn’t mean the ‘fits have to stop giving. There are ways to navigate office style, as proven by 27-year-old content creator and business owner Candice Dela Cruz.
Candice, who owns a local boutique marketing agency, is no stranger to office boardrooms, but she still puts together looks that mix personality with professionalism. Drab and basic office wear? We don’t know her. See what Candice had to say about office style for Gen Z, investing in quality basics, the power of dressing for the role, and more below.
How would you describe what office style is for you?
Office style for me should reflect and convey professionalism and your field of work.
For Gen Z who want to spice up their closet from the usual suit and dress, how could they balance self-expression while still looking professional in the office space?
Fashion, for me, is a form of self-expression, which means that in any context that you put yourself in, your clothes will always reflect that. So for example, I always say you kind of dress for the job that you want, not the job that you have. To balance that out, it’s really the basic pieces, and then statement pieces.
What advice would you give to first-time job seekers on how to dress for the job, even if it’s just for the job interview?
So I think part of it is in the same vein as fashion being a form of self-expression – how you dress already speaks for you. If you want to convey the fact that you’re confident, reliable, and polished, then your choice of wardrobe should also reflect that. I think it could be sticking to the basic pieces and then adding a touch of your personality that boosts your confidence. So something familiar to you while at the same time, this is how you should be dressing for the field that you’re interviewing for.
For Gen Z who are in the workplace for the first time, what tips would you give on how they could find their style over time?
Find that place where you feel comfortable expressing who you are in the workplace. First of all, building your dream wardrobe takes a while. It’s always ever-changing, so I don’t think there’s a need for pressure there. Just enjoy the journey of exploring and finding what you like.
Although I would say, especially for office style, you have to invest in really, really good pieces that you know you’ll wear for two, five years, down the line. And then just sprinkle all the fun things around that. So whenever there are cute trends, although I don’t recommend jumping on all the trends, that’s how you also explore right? And then try to go through phases of color. That’s usually what I do. And then by the end of it, you’ll have all of these choices that reflect your personality.
Do you think the office siren trend is a realistic way to dress for the workplace?
Some pieces reflect what office attire is, like the blazer. There are so many ways that you can dress up a blazer and look professional without necessarily just pairing it with trousers or pencil skirts. So there are ways you can go out of that template of office attire, but still be respectful of the guidelines within your work environment.
What green flags should fresh graduates look out for when they apply for jobs?
I find that flexibility and then a really good team environment are green flags. Because, well, for the first one, flexibility, we live in a country where the traffic is crazy. And so I think workplaces should be flexible and understanding enough in circumstances that are beyond your control. And then second, the team. The team aspect of it is you can learn a lot by working with the people around you. And I find that if you have a really good manager and teammates, that’s where you thrive the most.
Photography Kim Santos of KLIQ Inc.
Creative and Fashion Direction Andre Chang
Art Direction Gelo Quijencio
Styling Andre Chang
Fashion Assistant Kurt Abonal
Shoot Coordination Jasmin Dasigan
This story was first published on the September First Job MyZine print pack. Order your copy now here.
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