This post shows you the best must-have wardrobe essentials for work.
Are you wondering what to wear to work but have a hard time putting together the best outfits? This post shows you all the neccessary work wardrobe essentials so you can put together dozens and dozens of outfit combinations.
With these 13 pieces, you can create outfits that are not boring at all and are great for a professional or business casual workplace environment.
Wardrobe Essentials For Work
1. Tailored Blazer
If you’re required to dress business casual or professional at work, it’s a must to have multiple tailored blazers in your wardrobe! The most basic must haves are a black blazer, a gray blazer, and a plaid blazer.
For the perfect fitting blazer, look for one that is not too tight but also not too oversized. Also, make sure it’s not too cropped and the length covers the butt.
2. Button Down Shirt
You can wear button down shirts on its own tucked into a pair of trousers. You can also wear it underneath a blazer for an even more professional look.
If you’re wearing it on its own, pair it with a belt and jeans or belt and trousers.
Of course, you’ll need a classic white button down shirt. But also switch up your work outfits by wearing other colors too like light blue, brown, gray, and olive green.
3. Tailored Trousers
You must have a few pairs of tailored trousers in your work wardrobe! These pants pair nicely with a button up shirt, a blazer, or blouses.
I’d personally get trousers in black, gray, and beige. With just these few colors, you can already create tons of outfit combinations.
For the best fitting trousers, I’d make sure it fits snug around the waist and the pant is a bit wide leg but not too baggy. As for the length, I prefer it to fall right below my ankle.
4. Shift Dress
A shift dress is the most professional kind of dress to wear to work.
If you don’t know what a shift dress is – it’s essentially a dress that hangs right down the shoulders. The length falls right above your knees. It fits a little loosely on the body while also maintaining a subtle shape of your body.
The most appropriate colors to wear to work are black, gray, and cream color.
5. Cardigan
If you aren’t required to dress formal but you still want to dress semi business casual, try wearing a nice blouse or white tee paired with a high quality cardigan and a pair of trousers.
I’d add a gray, black, and beige cardigan to your work wardrobe.
6. Sweater
Similar to cardigans, certain sweater pieces can appropriate to wear to an office environment. There are definitely some sweaters that aren’t appropraite to wear to the office like cropped sweaters, off the shoulder sweaters, or sweaters that are too oversized.
To find a sweater that’s good to wear in the office, I would look for ones that are more fitted but not overly tight, ones made with high quality materials like wool or cashmere, and ones that are thicker.
7. Blouses
Sometimes wearing button up shirts too often can make your outfits look too boring. So switch things up a bit by wearing blouses instead.
If you’re into more feminine pieces, wear a blouse with ruffles or lacing details.
8. Pencil Skirt
For a more traditional workplace outfit, a pencil skirt is a must to have. When we think of conventional pencil skirts, we’re probably thinking of the black super tight fitted skirts.
But there are so many other styles nowadays that look more flattering and look professional as well. You don’t need to just wear black pencil skirts. Instead, you can wear a silk cream or gray color skirt.
9. A-Line Skirt
For workplaces that allow a more relaxed dress code, you can wear A-line skirts instead of pencil skirts. This kind of skirt has a more relaxed fit and flares out a little bit more.
Pair these skirts with a button up shirt or a blouse tucked in!
10. Wide Leg Jeans
For more business casual outfits, you need a pair of jeans on rotation! These wide leg jeans can go great with a blouse or button up shirt and even a blazer worn over.
For more business casual looks, I recommend a pair of darker wash jeans instead of lighter wash ones.
11. Simple Accessories
Wearing something more formal doesn’t mean you can’t add accessories to it! The key is styling accessories the right way is to wear accessories that are simple, minimalistic, and classic.
This can include a pair of chunky earrings, a simple pendant necklace, or a nice bracelet.
12. Structured Handbag/Tote
If you want to dress classy to work, you need to get yourself a nice looking tote bag! Not just any cotton bag but leather tote bags. These ones are sturdy and they look so chic to bring to work.
Make sure to choose one that is big enough to fit your work laptop and other neccessary things.
13. Flats
Unless you’re a sneaker girl through and through, wearing flats can be a great way to elevate your work outfit. It pretty much goes with any kind of business casual outfit like trousers, skirts, dresses, jeans, and more.
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