Is your wardrobe ready to head back to work?

Congratulations. You received an invitation to go back to the office after 18 months of working from home. Now what? You’re stressed about commuting in traffic again and have no clue what post-pandemic “office etiquette” will entail. Although some companies are relaxing dress codes or moving to hybrid work arrangements, office employees still wonder what to wear to the office.

The pandemic lifestyle has blurred the lines between work style and leisurewear. After spending months working from home, we’ve become accustomed to wearing lounge and active gear during business hours. Companies and employees realized that being productive doesn’t command a ceremonial dress code. As a result, we could see more creative cross-dressing where workwear meets leisurewear. And for the moment, office workers everywhere are opting for informal styles instead of suits and structured office outfits. However, it’s unlikely that loungewear and crop tops will see the light of day at corporate offices. For one, we are sick of wearing joggers and hoodies. Nevertheless, for the sake of variety, it’s pleasant to see a degree of separation between home style and office style. 

What should you wear to the office this Fall?

Laid-back and modest is the theme of back-to-the-office attire this season. More importantly, you want your style to look fresh with an aura of optimism and revival. Most of us are looking forward to in-person meetings and reuniting with colleagues again. So let your presence reflect an airy and reinvigorating mindset. Think modern and minimalism with a twist of charm by harnessing natural and stretchy material such as knitted dresses and tops, straight-cut pants, Bermuda shorts, and flowy skirts. Instead of tailored blazers, consider cardigans and loosely fit jackets. Look for natural fabrics like cotton, cashmere, and silks; or blended stretchy material. 

How to define your new work wardrobe?

Before you head out on a shopping spree, take some time to sort and clear your closet. It would help if you tried on the pre-pandemic clothing pieces to determine which ones fit. Most people experienced body changes, for the better or worse. It doesn’t matter which way the scale went; you should wear comfortable and flattering clothes that fit well. Now is the time to purge your closet from older styles and create space for new looks. 

The next step is to write down the list of pieces needed to replenish your closet. Updating your essential style pieces like shirts, pants, cardigans, blazers, skirts, and outerwear would be a good start. Next, build your staple wardrobe pieces using vision boards which you can find on Pinterest and in magazines. Similarly, you could contact your preferred retailer or stylist friend if you don’t have the time or courage to revamp your outfits. Many US retailers, like Nordstrom, know that women plan to head back to the office soon and have launched personalized styling services to help clients shop smartly. 

Then, identify basic colors to add to your wardrobe, such as neutrals, seasonal and preferred colors. Black, white, beige, and gray are the foundation and go-to colors that don’t go out of style. If you want to add trendy seasonal colors, check out Pantone, the color experts, for a list of trending colors in fashion and decor. 

What to wear to the office? 

Here are the Office wardrobe essentials you’ll need for a fresh back-to-work this Fall.

Cardigan sets

Cardigan sets are an excellent step away from formal power suits, which many have ditched even before the pandemic. And these timeless pieces represent sophistication and versatility. But hold on, these aren’t your grandpa’s itchy and dull cardigans we’ve seen in the past. Cardigans have seen a revival in 2020 and come in different patterns, fabrics, and colors. You can pair them casually with a pair of denim pants or dress bottoms. Layer them together as a set to stay warm in Fall, or wear each piece separately. 

Pants

Again, comfort will continue to be the theme in 2021 work style when it comes to pants. Leggings, straight-cut and wide pants made with stretchy or soft fabric hit an all high record in the last 12 months. So did joggers, but let’s keep these away from your work wardrobe indefinitely. Alternatively, when you head back to the office sometime this year, wear a pair of new leggings with long sweaters, cardigans, or a long shirt. You could also wear straight or wide pants in silky and stretchy fabrics with a tucked-in, tapered, or belted top.

Shirts

The classic crispy white or blue shirt is a definite staple—however, it shouldn’t be the standard “boyfriend” shirt. Instead, spice up your white shirt with exquisite details and patterns and look for unique cuts and different fabrics. Regardless of material or cut, a white shirt is versatile and a suitable piece to mix and match with blazers and bottoms.

Skirts

Pencil skirts are flattering but let’s face it, they aren’t comfortable and wrinkle fast. So rather than wearing snug skirts, choose flowy patterns in natural fabrics like silks, cotton, and cashmere. But if you love pencil skirts, go for stretchy material and pair them with a wrap shirt, sweaters, or cardigan sets.

Blazers

Are work blazers a thing of the past? Not as long as some roles mandate formality, such as government and judicial roles. It’s hard to know the future of blazers at the office. After all, it’s a personal choice, and they are a beautiful complement to any outfit. Plus, they are functional in colder months. Regardless, fabric evolution, emphasis on comfort and sustainability have paved the way to practical styles. Interestingly speaking, blazers seemed to reinvent themselves during the pandemic. We see softer fabrics, seamless cuts, and versatile styling ideas, suggesting that these pieces will always hold a special place in our closets and hearts!

Denim pieces

There’s no doubt that denim has become an acceptable office attire and for many great reasons:

• You can now wear chic dresses made with a progressive denim material.
• Denim shirts and skirts are versatile pieces to mix and match with conventional clothing.
• You can wear a denim button-down shirt with a pair of dress pants or skirts and finish the look with a casual blazer.
• Soft denim pants pair perfectly with a crisp white silk shirt and a designer belt you can wear to the office. 

Accessories

Adding accessories to your look reflects your personality and mood that are not subject to restrictions or attire etiquette at work. For example, you may opt to finish your look with a piece of jewelry, a scarf or avoid accessorizing all together. When dressing for work, there is one coveted rule to follow: Less is more. Subtle accessories blend with any style and look. On the other hand, playful and large accessories look more sophisticated with a minimalist outfit and neutral colors. 

Final tip

If you are going back to the office and looking for styling ideas, think of modern “chic comfort”, the cross between business casual and formal work attire, suitable style for future hybrid work.

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