Update Your Workwear Wardrobe with These 7 Key Items
Hate pouring too much attention into your workwear wardrobe? But also hate standing in front of your closet every morning saying to yourself – Eurgh! I have nothing nice to wear!
We feel you.
Your workwear is your bread and butter. Your day to day. You don’t show it off on a night out or a date. It needs to be comfortable but conform (ish) to the office standards (or standards of wherever you work) in several ways. It needs to last and be able to be washed on the regular and still look good. Basically, you’re asking for a lot from some clothes that you might not give that much respect to.
But – your workwear wardrobe doesn’t have to be boring. It might have to be practical and office-appropriate but it doesn’t have to be drab. Plus, who says you can’t have things in your wardrobe that you wear one way to work and one way on the weekend?
So – if you’re bored of your regular workwear wardrobe rotation and you feel the need to add some cool – we’ve got you covered, right here.
And to make it easy as anything – it’s just 7 fashion picks that will turn your workwear around this season.
The Knitted Co-Ord
This is a look we are obsessed with. It’s comfortable and classy and effortlessly cool. The knitted co-ord.
By co-ord, we mean a matching set that can be anything from a top and trouser to a sweater and skirt and this trend is mostly about skirt sets.
Because this is a set – you get two workwear pieces for one, which is always a bonus for mixing and matching. But the real look here is when you wear the two knitted pieces together as a full outfit. Although this look is super cozy and comfortable, it’s matching so it just looks chic and polished instantly.
Style a matching knitted set with long boots or even switch to white sneakers for a more casual and yet work-appropriate look. Add a matching tote bag for the ultimate high-end vibes.
This look is also a super-chic and stylish way to do maternity workwear.
Enza Costa | Sweater $154 | Skirt $132
Tibi | Jacket WAS $895 NOW $447.50 | Skirt WAS $550 NOW $220
Mara Hoffman | Top $325 | Skirt $325
The Trench
We called out the trench coat trend for spring in our spring trends edit and we’re sticking to it. It’s a huge look for the upcoming season. Plus, it’s an essential for a stylish workwear wardrobe.
Trench coats are versatile and easy to style which means you can wear one over a suit or over your most casual denim and they just always look polished.
Alongside the deconstructed trench coat trend this season, we’re seeing lots of two-tone styles which is a chic look for work and gives your trench a little added detail. We’re also seeing classic neutral colorways but also pops of other pastel hues in classic trench cuts too.
Add a trench to your workwear rotation and it will serve you through every season, year after year. It's one of the ultimate style staples.
Ann Taylor | $198
Rag & Bone | WAS $795 NOW $339
Tibi | WAS $1250 NOW $375
The New Work Pant
Classic tailored work pants can give us the shivers. And not in a good way. Opt for unflattering cuts and fits (which seem to be everywhere!) and your outfit can go from ok to disappointing in a second. We say this needs to end now!
This season, there is literally no need to wear ugly, unflattering trousers to work. So, if you have a couple of pairs of comfortable, shapeless ‘work pants’ that you hate but continue to wear, throw them out now (well, wash them, fold them up and send them off to charity or recycling, obvs). Because this season, there’s a new work pant in town. And it looks good.
We’re not reaching for ultra-high-waisted wide-leg trousers here or statement prints and hard-to-wash, unpractical fabrics. So, don’t worry.
Introducing plaid (or check) pants with stripes. That’s it. Simple.
It’s a look that might just change your game when it comes to your workwear style and these trousers are comfortable, stylish, polished, easy to style and contemporary. Tick, tick, tick. Right?
This look is all about clashing the classic plaid print with a modern pop of color stripe down the side. Plus, check out the savings on these Mother of Denim and Alice + Olivia styles with Shop It To Me.
Mother Denim | WAS $228 NOW $114
Alice + Olivia | WAS $395 NOW $144.75
This style of trouser also works as a jogger. And yes, this means wearing joggers to work and no one is going to say anything about it. You’re welcome.
Sanctuary Jogger | $129
Join both trends in one look…
Cupcakes and Cashmere | Joggers $118
The Pinstripe Suit
Pinstripes are back this season (as well as polka dots – say hi to classic prints, yay!).
And if you need to update your workwear wardrobe with some tailoring, this is a super chic way to go. Opt for matching suit sets and choose between micro and wide stripes depending on what you like best because they both look amazing.
And yes, suits do tend to be a little pricer than your average purchase – which can be annoying when shopping for workwear. But, with the help of Shop It To Me, you can save well over 50% on the RRP on plenty of incredible brands.
BCBGMAXAZRIA | Blazer $298 | Trousers $198
Derek Lam | Blazer WAS $495 NOW $198 | Trousers WAS $375 NOW $150
If you’re feeling particularly on-trend when looking at suits, dare to try the short suit trend with Alice + Olivia.
Alice + Olivia | Blazer $485 | Shorts $250
Plus, when you’re shopping for suits, think about how you might also wear these pieces out of the office and you might realize what a great investment they are. Not only will you wear the suit as a whole for work for seasons to come but you can also chop and change and mix and match the 2 different pieces. You can also add the pinstripe blazer to anything from straight leg jeans to a simple satin slip dress for the perfect weekend outfit.
The Barely-There Sandals
This shoe has been knocking around for a couple of seasons and it’s not going anywhere. This is probably for a couple of different reasons, but primarily – 1. They are super versatile and style with pretty much everything. 2. We’ve all started to realize that a small heel is not the enemy.
This covetable style of sandal is all about minimal styling. The least amount of strap details happening the more on-trend the shoe.
Style these with anything from tailoring to jeans in a less formal office and then with anything at the weekend. Making them a pair of shoes that will serve you for so much more than just a day at the office.
Marc Fisher does them in every color in the perfect shape for a great price.
Marc Fisher | NOW $69
Tony Bianco does effortless and simple styling with a pop of statement color.
Tony Bianco | $165
And try some on-trend heel details for a real runway look.
Rejina Pyo | $510
Anything Deconstructed
Deconstructed looks are huge for spring and summer 2020. And this is a great look to try to add some contemporary style to a workwear wardrobe that’s making you snore.
Whether it’s asymmetrical necklines or distressed sleeve detailing, the trend is for tailoring but also, anything else. White shirts, knitwear, jackets – they all got the deconstructed memo this season.
Here are some of our favorite pieces that would add a certain edge to your workwear rotation. And look - so many sale prices!!
Each x Other | WAS $444 NOW $222
Vince Camuto | WAS $99 NOW $39.60
Milly | WAS $245 NOW $107
French Connection | WAS $168 NOW $126
Alice + Olivia | $225
Tahari | WAS $149 NOW $89.40
The Leather Pants
‘I can’t wear leather to work!’ We thought we heard you say.
But we’re here to say – we think you can! Just get it right and leather can be the ultra-on-trend essential you never knew your workwear wardrobe even needed. Make leather trousers more workwear-friendly by opting for high-waist styles and either straight or wide-leg fits. Avoid skinny as this is more weekend. And tah-dah! Leather for work. And it WERKS.
This pair from 7 For All Mankind is literally the perfect shape to make leather work for work. Style with anything from a knit sweater to a crisp white shirt and heels or simple loafers.
And they’re way less than half price right now.
7 For All Mankind | WAS $795 NOW $299
Ann Taylor also offers a great affordable option.
Ann Taylor | $109
If simple two-piece suits or basic skirts and blouses are your usual workwear go-to, consider upping your game this season and experimenting with some workwear that might just up your office outlook too. Your clothes and style choices can give you a serious confidence boost and with all that new power, you might just find yourself in a whole new league at work. Worth a go, right?
Shop for a new workwear wardrobe but save $$$ while you do it by shopping exclusively with Shop It To Me. If you shop anywhere from Nordstrom to GAP, find the best prices online by browsing for your new workwear garms on Shop It To Me. It’s easy and quick to sign up to and once you’ve started noticing the amount of money you can save on every purchase, you’ll never want to shop any other way again. We guarantee.