Womenz Magazine

8 Pieces to a Perfect Business Casual Wardrobe

business wardrobe

Working in an office with a business-casual dress code has its pros and cons. On the plus side, it takes a lot of the guesswork out when you’re only able to wear certain things.

 But on the negative side, it doesn’t allow for a ton of creativity. That is, unless you stack your wardrobe with timeless essentials that are easy to mix and match—and always look chic.Casual Wardrobe

A Pencil Skirt You Can Actually Breathe In

Pencil Skirt

The pencil skirt is a total workplace classic, but it’s surprisingly hard to find the perfect one. That’s why it’s beneficial to take this baby to the tailor before wearing it to work. For a little extra money, your skirt will become way more wearable thanks to a little professional TLC. Ask your tailor to fit it snugly around your midsection and a touch looser around your butt and thighs (like the trousers above).

  A Sharp Blazer That Improves Your Posture

 Sharp Blazer

A blazer is one of those pieces that makes you stand a little taller and feel a little more confident. It’s professional without being stuffy, and it looks great with pretty much everything in your closet.

A White Button-Down for All Occasions

White Button

No frills, no nonsense, no problem. That’s pretty much how we feel about our go-to white button-down, which can be paired with a pencil skirt, trousers or casual-Friday jeans (more on those in a bit). Opt for a no-wrinkle version to keep it from looking sloppy come 4:30 p.m.

Black Pumps That Don’t Kill Your Feet

Black Pumps

If you have to wear heels to work every day, they’d better be as walkable as possible. That might mean trying on a bunch of pairs before settling on the perfect ones, but in the long run it’s totally worth it. Look for styles with a mid-height heel and a toe that is pointed (to make your legs look longer) but not too pointy (so you won’t be hobbling home in the evening).

A Trench Coat You’ll Wear Forever

Trench Coat

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: A trench coat should absolutely have a place in your closet, whether you work in an office or not. Elegant and timeless, it looks just as great over a shift dress as it does with jeans and sneakers.

Dark-Wash Jeans You Can Wear on Casual Fridays

Dark-Wash Jeans

Casual Fridays are a glorious opportunity to relax a little wardrobe-wise, but they’re not an excuse to wear your most distressed boyfriend jeans and a sweatshirt. Look for a pair of dark-wash jeans in a trouser or wide-leg silhouette. They’re clearly more relaxed than a pencil skirt, but not so casual that they look sloppy.

A Cashmere Turtleneck to Layer When It’s Cold

Cashmere Turtleneck

Think of this as the fall/winter version of a silk shell. You can layer it under a blazer, vest or jacket or, unlike a shell top (since there are sleeves), wear it alone with a skirt or pants. The cashmere part is just a suggestion (any turtleneck will do), but we’re all about ramping up the coziness while still being work appropriate.

A STURDY BUT STREAMLINED TOTE TO HOLD ALL YOUR STUFF

STREAMLINED TOTE

Your wallet, keys, phone, Kindle, receipts, notepad and countless other odds and ends…. It all has to fit into a bag that doesn’t look like it’s bursting at the seams. A sturdy tote with a well-defined shape will hold your entire life without making you look like a bag lady.

 

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