Work clothes will generally differ depending on the office environment, but for the most part, we all have an idea of what office basics are. These include a fitted black blazer, a crisp button-up, and a clean-cut suit, among other essentials. In addition to these, Marie Claire has also included a sophisticated sleeveless turtleneck as another important item to add to your 9-to-5 uniform.
Often, women will separate different clothes into specific capsule wardrobes, with a portion of their closet designated for office wear and another part for off-the-clock outfits. While there is nothing wrong with refreshing your office capsule wardrobe every now and then with tailored shirts and blouses, as touched on by the fashion editors that curated the Lyst tops collection, there are a number of garments that you can wear during work and after hours. Finding work clothes that can transition from day to night—or can be worn at the weekend—broadens your selection of office wear so that you never have to worry about dressing appropriately for the job, or dressing down on your days off.
Here are a few items that work both inside and outside of the office:
Shirtdress
The tailoring and silhouette of a shirtdress make it an easy choice for the workplace, looking quite sophisticated with pumps or peep toes. Swap out the heels for flat sandals for brunch with the girls, or wear them with booties and a denim jacket, a breezy outfit perfect for wandering about the city over the weekend.
White Pants
Black slacks are considered key pieces in work wear but are rarely ever worn for non-formal occasions. White pants, on the other hand, can be styled for a casual setting and a business meeting, depending on what you pair with them. As the writers of The Muse have indicated, this item looks “modern and classic at the same time, and can easily be worn with heels, flats and sandals.”
Chunky Sandals
Stilettos are sometimes hard to pull off in the workplace, as it can appear as though you’re trying too hard. Another downfall of this sexy footwear is the needlepoint that makes it less comfortable than shoes with chunkier heels. Sandals with leather straps, specifically ones with a wooden base, are friendlier to your feet and will look just as cute with a form-fitted dress as with a white tee and jeans combo.
