How to Get Ready for Work in 15 Minutes Flat
Sigh. Welcome back to Monday, the worst day of the week to get out of bed and get going. Mornings can be stressful…and panicking about what to wear will make them worse. Our tips turn an hour of stress into an organized 15-minute trip out the door.
Step 1: Shower and do your hair the night before.
We know this doesn’t work for everyone. Instead of showering, blow drying and styling in the a.m., you can just touch up your look in two-three minutes. If you must shower, make it snappy and let hair air-dry or wash your strands every few days or so.
Step 2: 5-minute make-up
Once you have your makeup routine down, you can probably organize it into a five-minute system—for example, concealer, eyeliner, mascara, gloss…go! If you’re struggling with this one, we recommend The 5-Minute Face: The Quick & Easy Makeup Guide for Every Woman ($6.63 and up at Amazon.com) by Carmindy.
Step 3: Love your clothes!
Now this is where Workchic really shines. It’s our goal to take the stress out of getting dressed for work. This step has a few subcategories.
*Don’t buy anything you don’t really love.
This may seem obvious, but shopping sales items makes it easy to pick something up for the price instead of the style. Then when you’re getting ready you have a closet that’s just full of stuff. Instead, find pieces that speak to your own personal look.
*Great basics (Check out WorkChic for more!)
Filling your closet with work wardrobe basics means you’ll always have something to wear. These include black pants, white blouses, simple dresses and black heels.
*Unique Accessories
With accessories that are fun and interesting, you can layer them over even the most basic outfit and create a stylish ensemble.
*Organize your Closet
Some people believe in picking out your clothes the night before. We prefer an organized closet. If you can easily find the pieces you are looking for, getting ready happens in a snap. Organize based on your dressing style. Here are some great options:
- by color
- by silhouette
- by outfit
Step 4: Don’t stress
Stressing out takes time and energy (something you shouldn’t even be thinking about before you’ve had your coffee). Your hair is done and your makeup is on. You have seven-eight minutes to put together an outfit. You can do this!
Here are some easy examples of three outfits we bet you could pull from your closet today.
Black pants, your favorite blouse, drop earrings and black shoes.
Pants: 215 Martin classic trouser pant ($98) from Banana Republic
Blouse: Tattersall Ruffle Shirt ($69.50) from Banana Republic
Earrings: Fate Earring ($29.50) from Banana Republic
Shoes: ‘Jacky’ Platform Pump ($120) from Banana Republic
A dress, neutral heels, cardigan and bracelet.
Dress: V-Neck Stretch Sheath ($130) from Banana Republic
Heels: Hive and Honey Lorna ($89) from Piperlime
Cardigan: Textured Ruffle Cardigan ($124.99) from BCBGMAXAZRIA at Piperlime
Bracelet: Alex and Ani Spoonful of Sugar Expandable Wire Bangle Set ($58) in Berrylicious Blackberry at Max & Chloe
For casual Friday: jeans, a tee shirt, statement necklace and ballet flats.
Jeans: The Stilt Skinny Jeans ($150) by AG Adriano Goldschmied at ShopBop
Tee: Modern Scoopneck Tee ($29.50) from Banana Republic
Necklace: Sequin Tie Back Metal ($99) from Piperlime
Shoes: Elizabeth and James Myra ($240) from Piperlime
With these three outfits we listed the pieces in a generic way so you can easily interpret the looks into your own work wardrobe. When we say neutral heels these could be nude, black or brown. We showed a short-sleeved ruffle front cardigan, but you could swap this out for a long sleeve cardigan or even a blazer.
Step 5: A go-to outfit
We all have at least one outfit that makes us feel fantastic. Identify what makes this ensemble special and try to create a second version or even a third. This way you’ll always have a look that’s always ready to go…even when you hit snooze five too many times.
We hope this helps you get ready for work in a flash and start your day off in style!
-Jennifer Diana & Melissa McGraw for Workchic.com
Workchic co-founders Melissa McGraw and Jennifer Diana have been immersed in the fashion industry for over ten years. They don’t expect anyone to look like runway models—just pulled together with a bit of style!
GIRL TALK TIME: What’s the biggest challenge about getting ready? What are YOUR secrets for getting dressed in a snap? Tell us now!
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24 Comments
Post a CommentGood article!…but I am of the school of picking out/ironing your clothes the night before.
I do it all the night before..shower, pick out the clothes, pack the lunch etc. I need all the sleep I can with my 15 hour days! UGGG!
Great, following this blog! So cool!
I am totally going to share this article! Wow, so awesome. Thanks!
I always go through at least 3 outfits before finally deciding on one…my closet is in categories of tanks, sort sleves, long sleeves, dresses etc so if im looking for something specific I don’t have to necessarily hunt for it.
I’m one of the lucky ones in that although I HAVE to wash my hair everyday in the morning or it looks gross, but I only have to blow dry it for 10 minutes tops and I’m done!
helpful hints
Cute clothes. Great headline.
I personally think showering and doing your hair at night is a tad bit absurd because you sweat and mess up your hair while you sleep. I do like all of the other suggestions though.
Adore Workchic suggestions!
LOVE IT
I already practice most of these tips. I love the outfit choices given.
very helpful
love the ideas and the outfits thx for sharing
these tips are great, but i don’t know about showering the night before.
The best thing for me is to pick out clothes the night before. Saves me a ton of time!
I am always late so i have to apply this steps into my routine. thanks
I am soo not a Morning person, I hit snooze at least 3 times. I cannot shower the night before, I need the morning shower to get me going in the morning. I am usually ready in about a half hour though, not too bad.
ALL ARE GREAT TIPS! i have to link this to my great friend, who is so often late. haha.
Showering and doing your hair the night b4 is the biggest timesaver!!!!
does anyone else feel like their make-up routine is much more stream-lined in the summer? sometimes i skip moisturizer (esp if i do it at night). mascara, lip gloss, bronzer w/ spf is the quickest way out the door. also, i feel like i love my summer wardrobe much more than my winter wardrobe so i’m not standing in front of my closet every morning wondering what to wear.