Yes, You Can Wear Tie Dye To Work And Here's How

Quick game of word association: What first comes to mind when you hear work-appropriate fashion? Maybe a slack-and-blouse combo or a calf-grazing, professional dress. But when the warm weather finally hits and you press pause on all of your polished winter basics, infusing bright and bold spring trends into your office wardrobe proves difficult. However, good style shouldn’t fizzle out with your 9-to-5. Before you write off incorporating trends like tie dye and bermuda shorts into your office attire, know that a variety of spring 2019’s trends can look polished for the office, yes really.

In fact, spring fashion focuses on a few quintessential workwear pieces like structured blazers and versatile wide-leg pants. With polished silhouettes and luxe textures, these more buttoned-up trends most definitely have a place in the office.

The key to navigating bolder spring trends for work is keeping the volume and hue of each piece in mind. “I love playing with proportions at the moment, which was key for Spring/Summer 2019,” notes Tiffany Hsu, fashion buying director at MyTheresa. “[For example,] extremes, such as mixing an oversized mohair scarf with a mini box bag. I think this mix of big versus small works best in bright and loud shades.”

Scroll on for six spring outfits that are both office-friendly and trend-forward, and that just might convince you to ditch your basic work slacks for the months to come.

Trend: Leather Pants

Is there anything a great pair of leather pants can’t do? “I love the all-leather look this season [of] matching a pair of high-waist tapered pants with a leather shirt,” Hsu says. “It feels polished, but not overly dressy. If you don’t want to rock leather head to toe at the office, substitute the leather top for an oversized t-shirt. Adding a pair of point-toe pumps [is] the winning finish every time.”

The Trend: Bermuda Shorts

Bermuda shorts have made a slow comeback, but light-colored and denim iterations are finally in style. On days when the weather is fickle, throw on a pair of knee-length shorts in a lightweight fabric and a cable knit sweater in a bright hue like pink. A ladylike pointy-toe heel adds just the right amount of elegance for the office.

The Trend: Sport Sandals

You may be on the fence about sporting Teva-esque sandals to your office, but the comfort-meets-utilitarian shoe can be dressed up. If you’re not ready to commit to the sport sandal look, opt for a toned-down pink version and add a sock. For contrast, team the shoe with an oversized blazer on top and a lightweight fabric on the bottom. Embrace spring's trends and keep the ensemble all neutral. Finish with a croc-embossed bucket bag for an added dimension.

The Trend: Animal Print

Animal print at your 9-to-5 is no longer out of bounds. Bring a bold zebra print into the office by mixing it with a subtle print in a different hue. Offset the business with a lighter weight shoe, such as a crisp white sneaker for a comfortable workwear vibe.

The Trend: Tie Dye

Tie dye’s crunchy reputation has been written off and is arguably one of Spring/Summer 2019’s biggest trends. While it doesn’t scream work attire, with the right silhouettes and accessories, it can be transformed to a chic office look. A pastel denim option in a loose, slack silhouette makes the pattern a little less grungy. A structured jacket and a sleek snakeskin boot makes for a playful-yet-sophisticated take on the trend.

The Trend: Slime Green

Think slime green can’t be worked into your office wardrobe? Case in point that it can: This pantsuit look. This season, the neon hue took Instagram by storm, and a subtle hint of slime green layered under workwear pieces can be surprisingly appropriate for your 9-to-5. "Adding an oversized blazer is an all tailored look that's fail-proof," Hsu adds.