Brunch – A Relaxing, Casual Weekend Institution Where You Are Bound To See Someone You Know

By Brian Maynor
June 21, 2013

Brunch is a weekend ritual I look forward to all week.  There is nothing else quite like it. A time to sip coffee and mimosas while you unwind; catch up on the non-business happenings of the week, and see a lot of your colleagues outside their usual surroundings.

So how do you blend the comfort of your weekend sweats with the need to look presentable but not over dressed?  The key is balancing comfort with structure.  Here are some ideas and two sample outfits guaranteed to wow everyone this weekend:

1. Thin and breezy.  We all know when you go to brunch there will be at least a 20 minute wait and most of that time will be spent outside.  So instead of coopting a menu or church bulletin to use as a fan, beat the heat with a cotton jersey top.  Jersey is soft, thin and comfortable; dries quickly and drapes beautifully to add that little something extra over your basic cotton.  Instead of a pique polo shirt try a jersey one and feel the difference.
2. Give your jewelry a break.  Standing outside during the middle of summer is not the ideal time to wear an arm full of bracelets or a heavy necklace, but you still need something to polish your look and set it apart.  Embellished tops are the perfect answer.  The beading running around the collar and down the front of this tunic elongates your torso and replaces the need for a necklace while the cuffs negate the need for bracelets.  All you have to do is add a pair of earrings and you are set.
3. Show a little leg.  While capri pants are not common in the office, you see them everywhere on the weekend.  They have all the comfort of shorts without the fear of showing too much skin.  Imagine how awkward it would be running into a coworker or client while wearing a pair of hot pants.  Save yourself the stress and opt for a pair of capris.  As long as they break at your knee they will look great.
4. Flip-flops are not shoes.  Contrary to popular belief and social norms, just because it is summer does not mean you should wear flip-flops with every outfit you own.  If you want to bare your well maintained, pedicured toes do so in a pair of leather sandals.  They are the classier, age appropriate option for adults.

Brunch is an institution and optimal time to showcase your sense of style not seen during the week.  So this weekend give yourself a break and let your clothes do more of the work, but maintain all levels of dignity and leave the short-shorts and flip-flops at home.

Women’s Brunch Outfit

Men’s Brunch Outfit

I am always curious to hear about your weekend wardrobe dilemmasand help make your work wardrobe pull double duty.  Email yourquestions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected].

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company,BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of imageconsulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat anddown-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he worksfrequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies andnonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers;production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regularcontributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, BrianMaynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in theregion, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over adecade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charityfundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic,Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creativeand fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classicpieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.
 

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