Office attire has come a long way for both men and women. There are now far more options than a plain top and a decent pair of slacks when there are so many patterns, colours, and styles making their way into the office. Choosing an outfit for work can be a pain without great staples in your wardrobe. Here are some stylish staples that you need to get you through your Monday to Friday grind. Oh, and don’t be afraid to put your own personal spin on these stylish recommendations.
Let’s get started!
Your statement pieces
Your office wardrobe is not necessarily about making a statement. Still, everyone needs those pieces to pull out of the wardrobe for an important meeting, an offsite work lunch, networking event, and all those other special events. These items can be expensive, so look into what loyalty programs you’re a part of, as you can earn Qantas points when you shop at Myer. These perks will bring you closer to your goal wardrobe. So, start hunting for a statement jacket, dress, and skirt.
Silk blouses
You can never have too many silk blouses in your wardrobe. These are great staple items as they perfectly pair with skirts or trousers, and they are professional and smart in appearance. Quality silk will not need to be on a strict ironing schedule, and it sits very favourably throughout the day, making it the perfect office outfit pick. If you are going to choose a few silk blouses for your staple wardrobe, then perhaps opt for some neutral colours. This means tones like white, cream, blush, and black. Also, remember to add a pop of colour too. Something stylish like a navy blue or similar jewel-toned type colour can really make an impact.
Versatile footwear
Comfortable footwear is worth its weight in gold during work hours, so don’t underestimate how important the hunt for great shoes is. Whether you prefer heels or flats, look for something that is both professional and stylish so that you’re able to really get use out of it by wearing it with the majority of your office ensembles. Unfortunately, many of us tend to buy shoes that look good but are cheaply made and so they only last a little while before they begin to disintegrate, and this then starts to cause discomfort, which is not something you want to deal with inbetween running to the coffee machine and inbetween meeting rooms. Choosing genuine leather shoes will be very durable whilst also remaining at the same high quality after many heavy footed uses. The colours and textures you choose will greatly depend on your wardrobe choices, but, if you’re looking for a safe bet, we’d recommend opting for black.
Camisoles and tops
Camisoles and tops can really carry your work wardrobe forward, mainly because they are so easy to wear with trousers, skirts, jackets and even under a pinafore-style dress. Quality is always going to be the goal here as poorly made items like these tend to erode quickly and discolouration or pilling can really take away from your professional aesthetic. If you’re heading out to the shops be sure to bring your staple skirts, trousers and jackets with you so that you can see what those tops look like in situation. The last thing you want to do is invest in a top that is perfect with jeans but doesn’t quite meet te mark when it comes to how appropriate it is for the office.
Blazers, jackets, cardigans and sweaters
Whether you work in warm or cool climates it is always necessary that you have these staples. Not only are they the professional standard, but some offices operate at chilly temperatures, with the air conditioner blasting 24/7. So, whilst blazers and jackets might be some of the most expensive items in your work wardrobe, if you choose something that is classic and timeless in appearance, you’ll be able to use it for literal decades as it will remain a contant in your style arsenal, even throughout changing trends and preferences. If your work requires you to pin a name badge or anything on your jackets, be sure to do so in a way that does not damage the blazer or jacket.
Quality over quantity
It can be tempting to buy one, two, or even a few articles of clothing when things go on sale, but your office wardrobe should be more about quality over quantity. That means keeping your eyes peeled for those capsules wardrobe pieces, whether you find those clothes to be full price, on sale, or thrift at a secondhand shop. When you identify the brands that look good on you and make you feel great, you’ll have a better idea of where to direct your search. If your work is client-facing or requires you to attend important meetings, then the quality metric is even more important.
We hope this is enough to get you started on curating your perfect work wardrobe. Unlike your other casual clothes, your work wardrobe can be finite, so don’t go overboard in buying any and everything you like, and stick to the staples that are going to get you through to the weekend.