Wear to Work: Outfit Ideas

One of the biggest requests I get for blog posts is ideas for work outfits! The office fashion game has changed a lot over the years – it isn’t all about boring pant suits and pencil skirts anymore. Now that you have more of a chance to express yourself, things have gotten easier and harder at the same time. Getting dressed for work is easier, and more fun, because you get to incorporate your personal style into every look. It’s harder because it can be difficult to decipher what is appropriate for work without strict constraints. Also, a huge percentage of offices are much more laid-back than they used to be, which calls for a different dress code altogether. I have curated looks and product suggestions for different types of offices so that you can get stylish ideas for what to wear to work, no matter where you work!

Formal/Traditional Office

This one is relatively easy because it’s the kind of work wear we are so used to seeing! The biggest challenge here is steering clear of pieces that are boring or stuffy. You can definitely be stylish and add elements of your personality while staying professional and within dress code boundaries. The best way to do this is to experiment with different accessories or subtle details. For these looks, I really love the pleated shirts, wide leg pants, bow blouses. These small changes to the basics make a huge difference in the overall look! Sticking with a neutral color palette is always a safe bet within this setting. Switching out a traditional pump for one with an ankle strap modernizes the outfit without taking away any professionalism. I have such a weakness for the structured, classic silhouettes that this environment calls for! One summer in college, I went on a bit of a shopping spree for work clothes like these (for no real reason) and my dad told me I was the “best dressed unemployed person he’d ever met.” Thanks, Dad. Since my job now still doesn’t require a wardrobe like this, I will just live vicariously through your new chic work outfits!
Shop all of my Formal/Traditional picks here:

Casual/Laid-back Office

This is a really common sector that young professionals often struggle with dressing appropriately for! It can be hard to distinguish what’s suitable for work and what’s just cute! These looks would apply to a lot of start-up companies, agencies, or small businesses. You still need to look polished but you have much more flexibility in terms of colors, silhouettes, and prints. Think about sticking to the basics but adding a unique twist. I found some button downs that feature cold-shoulder cut outs and a boxy silhouette – these are perfect! Also, consider lace-up shoes or a chunky heel to add style to your look. All of these would also be great options for Casual Friday at a more formal office.

Shop all of my Casual/Laid-back picks here:

Artistic/Creative Office

This may be my favorite group of looks to style, possibly because this is the industry I am part of. Before I knew what I wanted to do with my life (side note: do we ever really know?), I always said I wanted a job that I could wear a floral pencil skirt to. In other words, I wanted to be part of an office environment that had some sort of professional guidelines but I wanted a lot of freedom to express myself through fashion. This is definitely a thing – yay! Any design firms, event planning companies, or fashion industry positions would probably call for looks like these! Of course, this varies from business to business, but I love how you can incorporate funky, non-traditional pieces and still get away with it. For instance, a floral print blazer or pom-pom pumps are something that would be considered outlandish in a corporate office but they’re totally acceptable in this setting!

Shop all of my Artistic/Creative picks here:

What type of office do you work in? How do you make your looks stylish?

What type of Save

Save