I have always found the problem of day dressing to be finding an attractive, presentable, statement making outfit that also serves all of the various purposes of the day. Most of us live in routines that include various activities like exercising, work, meetings, lunch dates, child or adult care, commutes etc, all in the same outfit. Taking a gym bag of shorts and T-shirt’s, dressing again for dinner, changing for childcare, we’d have to carry a suitcase of clothes with us every day.
My solution: the tunic and uniform look, jacket and uniform, etc. The uniform can consist of neutral or basic colors, and you should have a lot of them. I choose a very long, almost dress like tank , and a pair of wide leg or palazzo yoga pants. The clothes can go to yoga or dance class, even the gym, and then be brushed off and decorated for work and dinner, can be covered by a jacket for outdoor recreation, a blazer for a meeting. Jewelry pulls the look together.
Your uniform could be a plain tank or sheath dress, a tee and tube skirt, jeans and tee shirt, plain blue business suit, whichever look will work underneath on most days of your week. This is also more economical, as you don’t need so many different types of boots, shoes, belts, etc to pull the look together. Try to keep your color scheme very basic, most people only look their best in a few main colors. Figure out which yours are, and buy multiples. You are trying to create a look, rather than accommodate trends or styles from a magazine or look book.
Here I have put a Zara bodysuit over my uniform for a flowing office look… 
Photography by Shoey Sindel.
And here, the same uniform allows dinner with a crocheted sweater and necklace, (Anthropologie). The necklace is the statement piece here, the sweater could even be a simpler one.
The uniform has gone to dance class, worked, commuted, been to a dinner meeting, been to a business meeting, and prepared for the next day at home. What mileage! Isn’t this easier and more attractive than jumping in and out of three of four different color coordinated outfit combos, pantyhose, athletic socks, blazers, etc? And can you imagine the makeup changes you’d have to endure? Makeup can be added and subtracted as you go, like layers in coastal climates. Start the day with cleanser and sunscreen, moisturizer and brow gel, add foundation right before work, lipstick and possible mascara. add eyeliner and shadow for lunch meetings, dinner dates, etc, and you’re good to go. Keep plenty of makeup wipes, deodorant wipes, and other go tos for a quick cleanup.
The tunic or the jacket or blouse are great toppers for the uniform look. Make colors complimentary, so they can be subbed out quickly, and keep a couple toppers nearby or in your car or work closet just in case. I always keep a simple gold chain and a simple silver piece of jewelry in my bag to throw on and off for different activities during the day.
Sunday Shopaholic 