What to Wear to Work？
16 Nov 2023
Every day we have to solve the problem of meeting the office dress code. This situation is familiar to all of us in the morning: a closet full of clothes, but we can't put together stylish work outfits. The reason is a recently purchased skirt that doesn't match any shirt, or a tweed jacket that doesn't have a suitable top. You maybe always ask for yourself: what to wear to work today? Many of us still have a very vague idea of what things are suitable for the office closet, and what - not.
Creating daily work outfits is easy if you're Kate Middleton. But what do you do when you can't afford a neat five-figure dress? To avoid wasting time packing, we suggest creating a personal capsule for the business dress code. It is a set of basic things that can be easily combined with each other and together form a variety of stylish and relevant images. It not only solves the question of what to wear, but also helps build a budget, protecting it from impulse shopping. About what clothes, shoes and accessories flawlessly fit into the office capsule and how to style them with each other – we will tell you in the material.
The desire to look good in any situation is quite natural for a woman. Regardless of where she needs to be, she wants to dress stylishly and spectacularly. It is wrong to believe that this style kills individuality because even in companies with a strict dress code, the task of business clothes is to present a person. White tops and black bottoms have long been not the only options for business outfits. We tell you how to style your work outfits, so as not to lose your individuality and what requirements for employees put forward by different well-known companies.
Creating daily work outfits is easy if you're Kate Middleton. But what do you do when you can't afford a neat five-figure dress? To avoid wasting time packing, we suggest creating a personal capsule for the business dress code. It is a set of basic things that can be easily combined with each other and together form a variety of stylish and relevant images. It not only solves the question of what to wear, but also helps build a budget, protecting it from impulse shopping. About what clothes, shoes and accessories flawlessly fit into the office capsule and how to style them with each other – we will tell you in the material.
The desire to look good in any situation is quite natural for a woman. Regardless of where she needs to be, she wants to dress stylishly and spectacularly. It is wrong to believe that this style kills individuality because even in companies with a strict dress code, the task of business clothes is to present a person. White tops and black bottoms have long been not the only options for business outfits. We tell you how to style your work outfits, so as not to lose your individuality and what requirements for employees put forward by different well-known companies.
Workplace Attire by Dress Code
Here are some ideas for what to wear to work according to different dress codes:
Business formal
This is a classic business work outfit, where the skirt can't be worn without tights, the top should be white and the bottom black. Prisuschestva companies in the banking industry, employees of insurance organizations. Here is any step to the side – if not a firing squad, then at least a reprimand from the bosses.
An example of an ideal formal wardrobe style:
Straight cut pantsuit or skirt suit;
Knee-length skirt or slightly higher;
Blouse or shirt in classic white;
Tights – You should wear them both in winter and summer;
Heeled, but not stiletto shoes with a closed, rounded toe.
Makeup and hairstyle are strict - no yellow or blue eye shadow, red lipstick or false eyelashes. Hair is usually gathered in a bundle. Under the ban, classic business style is almost everything that goes beyond the examples described above.
The color scheme of the classic business style is restrained – black, gray, white. Prints are not characteristic - exception, stripes on the shirt or barely noticeable suit plaid. Often companies establish an accent color in accordance with the corporate style of the company. It is used for accessories - neckerchiefs, hats. Less often it is used in clothing, such as skirts or jackets.
Casual to business casual
It's important to clarify that casual in this case does not mean that you can wear any clothes for your work outfits that you wear in your everyday life. It's more about the category of things that are appropriate for a casual office visit.
This look is built on a combination of casual closet clothing with a business dress code. Here you can dress a little more comfortably, but still look just as businesslike. Diversity in clothing styles and color palettes is allowed, and accessories and individuality are appropriate.
Characteristic clothing:
Straight-cut pantsuit with fitted or semi-fitted silhouette;
A light blouse combined with a skirt. The length is also up to the knee, as required by business style;
Jacket unusual cut;
Cardigan.
Tights under the skirt or dress are preserved – they are needed winter and summer. Do not change and color palette gray, white, brown, black, as well as dark shades of different colors - blue, green, red. Allowable prints – plaid, houndstooth, stripes.
Shoes are also unchanged closed loafers or similar models with a medium heel.
Smart casual
Another variety of casual in the list of types of work outfits dress codes. This is called the casual dress style. The essence of smart-casual is the versatility of outfits that are equally appropriate for the office, meeting with friends or going out after work.
Unlike the previous two options, excessive rigor is not welcome here. Appearance should be presentable, business-like, but not formal:
Sample items:
Shirts and blouses;
Sweatshirts and full length tops;
Chino pants, as well as straight-cut, mid-rise denim. Ripped jeans, as well as options with embroidery, rhinestones or sequins are not suitable;
Bright pants and skirt suits;
Skirts just above the knee;
A dress-fuller.
The choice of footwear is also expanding – on the list of acceptable models appear models with an open toe, as well as semi-boots. Heel – at your discretion, so you can use ballet flats. You can go to the office in the summer without tights and stockings.
Try to build work outfits in smart casual style on the principle of "base plus accents". You can choose a neutral color scheme and styles and add stylish accessories, a bright neckerchief or shoes, or choose a rich suit and combine it with basic shoes and a white shirt or blouse.
Informal casual
Informal style is the dream of any office ladies, because there are almost no restrictions - within reason, of course. Most often, the casual style for office employees is chosen by companies where it is not necessary to personally meet with clients or partners.
The images are built primarily on the principles of practicality and convenience, but with a touch of elegance, because we are still talking about dress code in the office.
What to wear to the office:
Cardigan;
T-shirt, shirt, top, T-shirt;
Skirts of unusual cut – but still do not forget the length;
Jeans of different styles – you can even have boyfriends, but preferably "whole", that is, without rips;
Footwear are acceptable boat shoes, ballet flats, and sneakers.
Business formal
This is a classic business work outfit, where the skirt can't be worn without tights, the top should be white and the bottom black. Prisuschestva companies in the banking industry, employees of insurance organizations. Here is any step to the side – if not a firing squad, then at least a reprimand from the bosses.
An example of an ideal formal wardrobe style:
Straight cut pantsuit or skirt suit;
Knee-length skirt or slightly higher;
Blouse or shirt in classic white;
Tights – You should wear them both in winter and summer;
Heeled, but not stiletto shoes with a closed, rounded toe.
Makeup and hairstyle are strict - no yellow or blue eye shadow, red lipstick or false eyelashes. Hair is usually gathered in a bundle. Under the ban, classic business style is almost everything that goes beyond the examples described above.
The color scheme of the classic business style is restrained – black, gray, white. Prints are not characteristic - exception, stripes on the shirt or barely noticeable suit plaid. Often companies establish an accent color in accordance with the corporate style of the company. It is used for accessories - neckerchiefs, hats. Less often it is used in clothing, such as skirts or jackets.
Casual to business casual
It's important to clarify that casual in this case does not mean that you can wear any clothes for your work outfits that you wear in your everyday life. It's more about the category of things that are appropriate for a casual office visit.
This look is built on a combination of casual closet clothing with a business dress code. Here you can dress a little more comfortably, but still look just as businesslike. Diversity in clothing styles and color palettes is allowed, and accessories and individuality are appropriate.
Characteristic clothing:
Straight-cut pantsuit with fitted or semi-fitted silhouette;
A light blouse combined with a skirt. The length is also up to the knee, as required by business style;
Jacket unusual cut;
Cardigan.
Tights under the skirt or dress are preserved – they are needed winter and summer. Do not change and color palette gray, white, brown, black, as well as dark shades of different colors - blue, green, red. Allowable prints – plaid, houndstooth, stripes.
Shoes are also unchanged closed loafers or similar models with a medium heel.
Smart casual
Another variety of casual in the list of types of work outfits dress codes. This is called the casual dress style. The essence of smart-casual is the versatility of outfits that are equally appropriate for the office, meeting with friends or going out after work.
Unlike the previous two options, excessive rigor is not welcome here. Appearance should be presentable, business-like, but not formal:
Sample items:
Shirts and blouses;
Sweatshirts and full length tops;
Chino pants, as well as straight-cut, mid-rise denim. Ripped jeans, as well as options with embroidery, rhinestones or sequins are not suitable;
Bright pants and skirt suits;
Skirts just above the knee;
A dress-fuller.
The choice of footwear is also expanding – on the list of acceptable models appear models with an open toe, as well as semi-boots. Heel – at your discretion, so you can use ballet flats. You can go to the office in the summer without tights and stockings.
Try to build work outfits in smart casual style on the principle of "base plus accents". You can choose a neutral color scheme and styles and add stylish accessories, a bright neckerchief or shoes, or choose a rich suit and combine it with basic shoes and a white shirt or blouse.
Informal casual
Informal style is the dream of any office ladies, because there are almost no restrictions - within reason, of course. Most often, the casual style for office employees is chosen by companies where it is not necessary to personally meet with clients or partners.
The images are built primarily on the principles of practicality and convenience, but with a touch of elegance, because we are still talking about dress code in the office.
What to wear to the office:
Cardigan;
T-shirt, shirt, top, T-shirt;
Skirts of unusual cut – but still do not forget the length;
Jeans of different styles – you can even have boyfriends, but preferably "whole", that is, without rips;
Footwear are acceptable boat shoes, ballet flats, and sneakers.
A White Shirt Always Works
White shirts are considered the basis of business closets, but modern fashion offers many more options for its application. The white shirt color symbolizes purity, freshness, tenderness and elegance. It allows you to emphasize femininity and create a stylish image. This means that every woman should have a white shirt in her closet.
With a pencil skirt as a base for the office
The first image is already a classic work outfit, educational institutions and business meetings. A pencil skirt and white shirt always look dignified and appropriate in these occasions. But, if your shirt is too loose, it's best not to tuck it into the skirt, but leave it on top and cinch it with a belt.
With a suit or just pants like a classic
Another clear classic combination and office outfit idea. If it is already quite tiresome for you, and the dress code must be observed, pay attention to suits-triplets (pants+ jacket+ vest). Today, this image from the men's closet has entered the trend of the women's closet.
By the way, this image can easily become more than just a strict office. For a casual outing, it is enough to simply replace the loafers with comfortable sneakers or sneakers.
With a pencil skirt as a base for the office
The first image is already a classic work outfit, educational institutions and business meetings. A pencil skirt and white shirt always look dignified and appropriate in these occasions. But, if your shirt is too loose, it's best not to tuck it into the skirt, but leave it on top and cinch it with a belt.
With a suit or just pants like a classic
Another clear classic combination and office outfit idea. If it is already quite tiresome for you, and the dress code must be observed, pay attention to suits-triplets (pants+ jacket+ vest). Today, this image from the men's closet has entered the trend of the women's closet.
By the way, this image can easily become more than just a strict office. For a casual outing, it is enough to simply replace the loafers with comfortable sneakers or sneakers.
Seriously Smart Suit Vests
Suit vests - the trend of the season 2023. that the vest becomes an indispensable element of the closet for business sets, informal events or outdoor activities. If you gravitate to the business style, you will find for yourself this spring an impeccable thing – a suit vest. More and more often on the Internet, suits-triplets appear with a vest, jacket, and pants. A suit vest will be a good alternative in the warm season.
Relatively recently, the vest was considered exclusively a male closet item, but now everything has changed, and all kinds of models of classic (and not only) vests are worn by women all over the world.
Suits are good in that they can be boldly divided and combined with other things.
Such suit vests are good to style with palazzo pants of different colors, with preppy pleat skirts, with blouses or white basic T-shirts. As for shoes, such vests go well with solid loafers, ballet flats, sneakers or heeled shoes.
Celebrities choose black vests, which are combined with pants in tone, or vests in stripes, complementing them with palazzos.
Relatively recently, the vest was considered exclusively a male closet item, but now everything has changed, and all kinds of models of classic (and not only) vests are worn by women all over the world.
Suits are good in that they can be boldly divided and combined with other things.
Such suit vests are good to style with palazzo pants of different colors, with preppy pleat skirts, with blouses or white basic T-shirts. As for shoes, such vests go well with solid loafers, ballet flats, sneakers or heeled shoes.
Celebrities choose black vests, which are combined with pants in tone, or vests in stripes, complementing them with palazzos.
The Power Blazer
Today, the blazer is a very important part of a modern woman's wardrobe and it is a great work outifit idea. With the help of this piece of clothing, you can make a variety of sets in the office, on a date, even at a party with friends.
When a woman intends to replenish her wardrobe with this essential piece of clothing, she is mainly worried about three things: that the blazer will look too rough and masculine, that she will not be able to pick up sets with it, and that the blazer will not represent her figure favorably. But you don't need to worry about these issues. Just choose the right blazer for you and match it well.
We recommend every woman who works in an office to have a few classic suits in her closet. They can be in pants or with a skirt. They also vary by season:
Summer colors are light colors and are made of light fabrics. Read also about what to wear to the office in the summer.
Winter is darker, and the fabrics here are dense, warming in the cold season.
When a woman intends to replenish her wardrobe with this essential piece of clothing, she is mainly worried about three things: that the blazer will look too rough and masculine, that she will not be able to pick up sets with it, and that the blazer will not represent her figure favorably. But you don't need to worry about these issues. Just choose the right blazer for you and match it well.
We recommend every woman who works in an office to have a few classic suits in her closet. They can be in pants or with a skirt. They also vary by season:
Summer colors are light colors and are made of light fabrics. Read also about what to wear to the office in the summer.
Winter is darker, and the fabrics here are dense, warming in the cold season.
Monochrome Is Always In...
Beige is one of the most exquisite colors that is perfect for office wear, as well as its shades – caramel, cappuccino, camel, sand, etc. Combine a white casual shirt with beige straight- cut pants if you are in the mood for something less formal. In this color palette, not only can the bottoms be worn to work, but also any beige top, which should be combined with the monochromatic rest of the clothes. It can also be shoes or beautiful accessories – bags, belts, jewelry.
Great Shoes Are Key
Business work outfits dictate their own rules for choosing shoes for the office. It is worth sticking to the classic color scheme, watching the height of the heel, and striving for brevity in terms of design.
Low-heeled loafers
They are great shoes choices while creating office outfits. A pair with a 3-5 cm heel will be the perfect investment in your closet. It is better to buy a comfortable model in several shades: dark loafers are more practical in the off-season, and with light colors it is easy to create summer images.
What to wear with a pantsuit, pencil skirt and top, dress flats, jeans and blouse.
Designer's advice: for summer, options for models made of natural suede, they will be more comfortable for your feet than patent or synthetic leather loafers.
Shoes on a stable heel
Shoes on a solid heel – a real boon for those who do not want to wear flat shoes to the office, but do not feel very comfortable in stilettos.
What to wear with a dress-flats, pencil skirt, blouse, shirt. Designer tip: this model of women's shoes looks particularly expressive in a deep wine shade.
Loafers with a small heel
A businesswoman needs time for everything, which means her shoes should be as comfortable as possible. Strict loafers with a small heel are among the models that fit the business style.
What to wear with: classic black (gray, white, blue) pants, fitted jackets, long vests, straight skirts and solid-colored pullovers. The designer's advice: allow yourself a little mischief and buy loafers made of patent leather with contrasting soles. This model will certainly appeal to colleagues and even the boss.
Another practical shoe option for the office is worth considering. Most companies allow flats to be worn during working hours. With strict requirements for office clothes, you should choose flesh-colored, white, black ballet flats on a flat sole without decorative elements: voluminous bows, crystals, and embroidery.
What to wear with classic pants or midi-skirt, blouse, straight jeans, shirt and jacket. Designer's advice: After high heels ballet flats seem to be a standard of comfort, but this impression is deceptive. If you constantly wear shoes without heels, it will lead to the development of flat feet, so do not wear ballet flats every day. It is also desirable to use anatomical insoles.
Oxfords
A variation of men's shoes that has moved into women's business closet. Oxford is a closed shoe with lacing. They can be on a flat sole or on a small heel.
What to wear with a pantsuit, blouse in a romantic style, classic jeans, and straight-cut shirt. Designer's advice: independent and confident ladies should definitely try another variation of classic men's shoes, which have moved into the ladies' closet - brogues. They look great with shorter pants and a light blouse.
Low-heeled loafers
They are great shoes choices while creating office outfits. A pair with a 3-5 cm heel will be the perfect investment in your closet. It is better to buy a comfortable model in several shades: dark loafers are more practical in the off-season, and with light colors it is easy to create summer images.
What to wear with a pantsuit, pencil skirt and top, dress flats, jeans and blouse.
Designer's advice: for summer, options for models made of natural suede, they will be more comfortable for your feet than patent or synthetic leather loafers.
Shoes on a stable heel
Shoes on a solid heel – a real boon for those who do not want to wear flat shoes to the office, but do not feel very comfortable in stilettos.
What to wear with a dress-flats, pencil skirt, blouse, shirt. Designer tip: this model of women's shoes looks particularly expressive in a deep wine shade.
Loafers with a small heel
A businesswoman needs time for everything, which means her shoes should be as comfortable as possible. Strict loafers with a small heel are among the models that fit the business style.
What to wear with: classic black (gray, white, blue) pants, fitted jackets, long vests, straight skirts and solid-colored pullovers. The designer's advice: allow yourself a little mischief and buy loafers made of patent leather with contrasting soles. This model will certainly appeal to colleagues and even the boss.
Another practical shoe option for the office is worth considering. Most companies allow flats to be worn during working hours. With strict requirements for office clothes, you should choose flesh-colored, white, black ballet flats on a flat sole without decorative elements: voluminous bows, crystals, and embroidery.
What to wear with classic pants or midi-skirt, blouse, straight jeans, shirt and jacket. Designer's advice: After high heels ballet flats seem to be a standard of comfort, but this impression is deceptive. If you constantly wear shoes without heels, it will lead to the development of flat feet, so do not wear ballet flats every day. It is also desirable to use anatomical insoles.
Oxfords
A variation of men's shoes that has moved into women's business closet. Oxford is a closed shoe with lacing. They can be on a flat sole or on a small heel.
What to wear with a pantsuit, blouse in a romantic style, classic jeans, and straight-cut shirt. Designer's advice: independent and confident ladies should definitely try another variation of classic men's shoes, which have moved into the ladies' closet - brogues. They look great with shorter pants and a light blouse.
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