The office dress code has changed. Stiff suits and compulsory heels are gone, and good riddance. That does not mean anything goes, only that the rules got quieter.
The trick now is landing between "she clearly knows what she is doing" and "she has not surrendered to beige". Here are twenty outfits that manage both.
Five pieces that carry a work wardrobe
Before the outfits, the foundations:
- A structured blazer — it does not have to be black. Navy, camel, forest green. A blazer turns any basic into a decision.
- Well-cut trousers — cigarette, straight or wide, whichever suits you. Tailored properly, always.
- A satin blouse — satin does the work for you. Tucked into trousers, it is the whole outfit.
- A midi dress — one good work dress that makes you feel capable and like yourself.
- Shoes you can walk in — loafers, pointed flats, a sensible heel. Your feet will notice at six o'clock.
Twenty office outfits
Monday — the power look
Black cigarette trousers, white shirt, oversized blazer, court shoes. The classic, because it works.
Tuesday — relaxed but sharp
Dark straight-leg jeans, a fluid blouse, leather loafers. Add a gold chain and it reads as deliberate.
Wednesday — the dress that does everything
A plain midi dress, a thin belt, ankle boots. No decisions required.
Thursday — the matching set
A co-ord trouser and top set. The advantage: it looks like you have a stylist.
Friday — casual done properly
Wide-leg trousers, a good t-shirt, a soft blazer, clean white trainers.
Rotate colours, textures and accessories and these five formulas give you twenty-odd outfits without buying anything new.
What to avoid
- Too sheer: check your blouse under office lighting before you leave the house
- Too short: a hand's width above the knee is still a decent compass
- Too creased: a well-made garment stored properly does not crease. That is what you are paying for
- Too much perfume: open-plan means discreet
- Flip-flops: in summer, go for closed or dressier sandals
Business casual and business formal
Business formal (banking, law, finance): tailoring, neutral colours, quiet jewellery, closed shoes.
Business casual (tech, startups, agencies): dark jeans with a blazer, midi dresses, clean trainers, colour allowed.
Either way, the old advice still holds: dress for the job you want.
See our Office Look selection. Pieces that hold up from Monday to Friday.
