how to build a modern office wardrobe
a practical workwear edit
A few months ago my friend Christine stayed with me for a few weeks. At the end of her stint, she commented that my wardrobe consists entirely of business casual pieces. It’s true — I will wear trousers to a night out but I also spend a lot of my time in an office, so it makes sense I live in my workwear.
Someone recently asked me about my top 5 essentials for officewear, and it reminded me how this was definitely not always the case. When I got my first internship in NYC I was completely lost on how to build a wardrobe — I remember my first trips to the ann taylor at my local mall because that was the only place I knew for where to buy “business clothing”.
My first office job was an investment banking internship where my 5 pieces office wardrobe consisted of: The Express Editor pants, a wool dress from J Crew, a grey tweed H&M jacket, an Ann Taylor blazer, and a classic black blazer.
Nowadays most offices have thankfully relaxed their dress codes, and more brands have at least a few office appropriate collections. With internship season approaching, I thought I’d share how I’d think about building an office wardrobe — ideally you have a few everyday items in your closet (sweaters, flats, etc) that you can mix into your corporate uniforms. But regardless, hopefully the below provides a helpful starting point for how you can start shaping or refreshing your officewear (links can be found here).
001: a utilitarian pair of trousers
A trouser is a classic wardrobe item for me — I have half a dozen trousers on rotation, but if I were to start with just one I’d want a straight (or wide leg) pair, with clean pleating, that doesn’t require much maintenance (you definitely don’t want to spend your time steaming your trousers in the morning).
I’ve had my Aritzia effortless pants for going on SIX years now, and they’re everything I’d want in a trouser: practical, comfortable, and machine washable. If you’re looking to spend a little more, I also recently added the Re/Done wide leg to my closet: they’re a thicker pair which work well for colder months but also hold their shape well so are perfect to travel with!
Abercrombie (under $100), Aritzia effortless (under $150), Theory trousers, Re/done trousers
002: a sleek midi skirt
If you’re building a wardrobe from scratch, I’d prioritize bottoms (ideally you have some work appropriate basic tops already), which is why my #2 pick is a midi skirt. Also with springtime approaching, it can be hard to find an outfit that’s both breezy and not going to break the office dress code. It wasn’t until recently that I picked up a midi skirt and it changed the game: immediately you look polished but will also keep you from overheating on the 6 train. I like one with a column shape, and a small vent in the back so I can quickly scurry down hallways.
Every time I wear this skirt on social media, I immediately get asked about it. This one is highly rated on Aritzia (or this one on sale). Alternatively this one from Massimo Dutti is a good alternative to the St. Agni skirt.
Aritzia skirt (under $50), Aritzia column skirt, Massimo Dutti midi Skirt (under $150), St Agni skirt
003: a polished jacket
A blazer is an obvious choice for an office essential, but I actually find a classic black blazer a bit tricky if you’re pairing them with black skirt/trousers. To avoid looking like you’re wearing a mismatched black suit, I like to go for a structured jacket contrasting textures or a slightly unexpected shape.
This linen blazer from banana republic would be so chic with the aforementioned column skirt or dark denim on fridays. Similarly, I loved the cinched waist of this Aritzia blazer — the pearl or heather grey colors would be great choices with trousers. My first workwear wardrobe included not one, but two tweed jackets (spill resistant, usually more comfortable) so I’m always partial to tweed.
Banana Republic blazer (under $200), Aritzia (under $250), Massimo Dutti high neck
004: a high neck top
One of the most ubiquitous workwear items is a “work top” and for me, that means a sleeveless high-neck. My go-to is my sleeveless Pleats Please top: the design ethos behind Pleats Pleats was to create clothes for the modern life — and the line is machine washable and doesn’t wrinkle. The everlane ribbed tops are also inexpensive, ultra-soft basics. I love this dress from Reformation too if you want an easy outfit in one go.
Everlane ribbed top (under $50), J Crew wool top (~$50), Reformation ribbed tank scarf
005: kitten heel boots
I kept going back and forth between loafers and a pair of kitten heels as the one shoe that I’d bring to my deserted island where I am still somehow going to work. In this lumon-coded dystopia, I settled on boots because I always gravitate towards a kitten heel to finish off an outfit and most people have at least one pair of flats (ballet, loafers, etc) that would double as an office shoe.
Tony Bianco makes the most comfortable shoes and these kitten heeled boots have the perfect squared off toe to make a chic office look. My toteme boots were one of my best shoe purchases last year and have held up surprisingly well for how often I wear them (I have them in the knee version but would recommend an ankle for work).
Dolce Vita Boots (under $150), Tony Bianco Boots (under $250), Toteme boots
Hopefully this was a helpful guide for workwear at a few different price points — I have a series on TikTok/IG for 90s inspired workwear if you want inspiration for styling. If there’s anything you want to read about next please leave a comment or come hang out in the group chat. Have a great Sunday - see you next week!