If you’re drawing a blank when it comes to work outfit ideas, you’ve come to the right place! More professional clothing does not mean you have to ditch your personal style.
For Fall wardrobe ideas, check out THIS POST.
If you live in Canada, millions of federal employees would be starting a hybrid work model which entails heading to the office 2-3 times/week for the foreseeable future.
After years of wearing very comfortable (and sometimes professionally inappropriate) clothing thanks to remote work, some of us may have lost our touch when it comes to dressing for the office.
If you thought your favourite Beyoncé t-shirt you got on her last tour constitutes a work-appropriate wardrobe, this post is definitely for you.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through the links, at no cost to you.
I do come bearing some good news: work wear trends have not changed much since 2019 and so you do not need to go out and max out your credit card all because you’ll be sitting in a cubicle next to judgy co-workers.
If you already had a thriving closet full of office-approved looks, you’re more than half way there when it comes to your 2022 work wardrobe.
I would love to provide some inspiration for how you can mix and match or remix some items in your closet while potentially adding some key pieces that would bring your entire work attire together.
*Please confirm your office dress code beforehand*
Nowadays, most offices have either a business casual or smart casual office dress codes and so this post would be focusing on these two styles.
I hope you get some major back to the office style inspiration whether you are returning willingly or not.
1) Pant or skirt suits: Although pant suits may be a little more dressy than your average smart casual attire, a lot of current styles are more relaxed and offer a more casual cut.
Also think of swapping boardroom heels for flat shoes or loafers to give the look more of a business casual style.
I like this work appropriate ‘shorts suit’ version – great for the warmer weather
Blazer – HERE
Shorts – HERE
Blouse – HERE
Shoes – HERE
You can crop your suit pants to make them appear less formal if you’re wearing a pantsuit set. In-person meetings don’t need to always be so uptight.
This set is currently on sale for under $75!
Pants – HERE
Blazer – HERE
White sneakers – HERE
Add some colour to your work wear with a solid colour pant suit like this one (also on sale)!
Blazer: HERE
Pants: HERE
Blouse: HERE
Booties: HERE
2) Blouse & pants or with dark wash jeans: Dark wash jeans are one of those things that can really be dressed up (add a blazer and heels) or down (think of a sleeveless blouse) and so you want to err on the side of caution when styling them for the office.
If your office offers casual Fridays then you can forget about dress pants for a minute as these next denim looks are for you.
Blouse – HERE
Jeans – HERE
Loafers – HERE
Blouse – HERE
Jeans – HERE
Flats – HERE
Blouses in fun geometric prints such as the one below are a subtle way of showing your personal style at the office.
Blouse – HERE
Coated jeans – HERE
Booties – HERE
3) Dresses: Dresses a couple of inches above the knee should be paired with leggings while dresses knee length and longer can be worn as is (with bike shorts of some sort underneath).
Either way, dresses are a great way to stay cute and stylish at the office. You could throw on a coat or jacket on top of these looks during the cooler days.
Dress – HERE
Slip on shoes – HERE
Block heels elevate a more casual look but without the added foot discomfort. I love the heel on the loafers below just for that.
This blue midi dress is a great option if you just stare a new job and would be heading to the office for your first time.
It’s comfortable enough to wear for the entire workday while being appropriate for all work environments.
This midi dress comes in a breathable fabric and could be dressed up with some classic pumps or dressed down with white sneakers.
Dress – HERE
Chunky loafers- HERE
The neutral colors on this shift dress allow it work nicely with a casual dress code while adding a blazer could make it more business formal.
Dress – HERE
Heeled loafers – HERE
4) Blazer & pants or with dark wash jeans: The ultimate cool look, this classic combo is very easy to put together whether you’re running late to the office in New York City or Silicon Valley.
Blazer – HERE
Blouse – HERE
Coated skinny jeans – HERE
Boots – HERE
Blazer – HERE
Jeans – HERE
Blouse – HERE
A pair of heels could take this look from boardroom to date night or happy hour.
Blazer – HERE
Blouse – HERE
Jeans – HERE
Loafers – HERE
Tweed blazer – HERE
Jeans – HERE
Blouse – HERE
5) Blouse/shirt and culottes: Similar to wearing blouses and pants but this time swapping the pants for culottes works if you’re going to the office in the Summer.
Blouses with long sleeves are so classy. Consider getting them in classic colors to start with.
Blouse – HERE
Culottes – HERE
Slip ons: – HERE
Adding a pair of loafers like the ones below to your outfit are an easy way to take a look from corporate to business comfort.
Shirt – HERE
Culottes – HERE
Loafers – HERE
If you’re tired of wearing pencil skirts and black pants to the office, try a pair of culottes such as the ones below.
Culottes – HERE
Blouse – HERE
Loafers – HERE
Having a button-down shirt or 2 in different colors or prints is a good idea. This is something you can quickly wear with your yoga pants while taking important virtual meetings.
They are minimal effort and make you look office-ready even from home.
Blouse – HERE
Culottes – HERE
Loafers – HERE
6) Skirt and blouse: Last on the list is the age old skirt and blouse combo worn by our mothers and their mothers for decades. It’s all about ensuring a comfortable fit and an appropriate skirt length.
This look is morning commute approved! The skirt isn’t too short to give you a Marilyn Monroe moment nor too long to hinder you from running for that bus!
Skirt – HERE
Blouse – HERE
Flats – HERE
Blouse – HERE
Sneakers – HERE
Skirt – HERE
Skirt – HERE
Blouse – HERE
Flats – HERE
I hope these outfit combinations provide sufficient inspiration for your back to the office wardrobe and what you can wear to work today!
You probably own a lot of the pieces shown here and so I have shown how you can mix and match them and if necessary, add certain key items to your wardrobe.
Tip: I am a big believer in dressing too formally on your first day rather than showing up in a casual outfit but regardless, learn what your office dress code is before you go out shopping.
All the best if you are one of those returning to the office. In-person work even in the corporate world does not have to be daunting. You got this!
P.S. If you’re looking for a great bag to compliment your outfits, check out THIS POST.
Think you have nothing to wear? Check out my post: What to wear today.
Learn how to style your favorite ankle boots with straight jeans.
If you’re looking for some more ways to style your ankle pants for the next season, check out my post:12 of the Best Shoes to Wear with Ankle-length Pants.
Worried about how to wear white to the office, I got you covered.
XOXO
Theankaraqueen