First things first: finding your workwear style
It’s taken me a wee while to figure out what works for me, workwear-wise – but I’ve developed some general rules of thumb that have massively helped me refine my approach to buying workwear over the years:
- Comfort is key. I have spent WAY too much £££ over the years buying items that I just don’t enjoy wearing, because I don’t feel comfortable & relaxed. I know it sounds obvious but, if you wouldn’t feel comfortable in something in your ‘normal’ wardrobe (see blazers below, for my own example!) – why wear it to work?
- Buy consciously. You can definitely get great workwear on a budget, but I do think it’s wise to be mindful of quality. Again, I’ve wasted lots of pennies over the years buying items from really cheap stores purely to bulk out the volume of workwear I have. Now, I realise it’s much better to buy a smaller amount of items you really, really love and feel great in – the whole point of a capsule wardrobe, really!
- It’s not a race. Building up your work capsule wardrobe is something that I’ve found definitely takes a bit of time to finesse. Go slow and just buy a few items at a time that you know you’ll enjoy wearing, and will stand the test of time.
- Try to pick complementary items. I think it’s most economical to buy items which blend well with what you currently have, and that you can re-wear in multiple ways. This is one reason why my work outfits are mostly neutral or monochrome – they’re all nicely interchangeable!
Your essential work capsule wardrobe – my top workwear basics
Shift dresses
Shift dresses are hands down my fave kind of work outfit. They’re just SO easy to chuck on, but also instantly make me feel like a boss!
Pale pink, nipped in waist shift dress – £32.00 at ASOS
Cream, boucle shift dress – £34.99 at H&M
Pink, tweed shift dress – £59.00 at M&S
Black, nipped in waist shift dress – £28.00 at ASOS
Black/navy tweed shift dress – £90.00 (sale) at Reiss
Crisp, chic shirts
This is probably one of the first items to spring to mind when you think “workwear basics” – and for good reason!
However I’ll be honest, as someone with a slightly bigger than average bust, in the past I’ve steered clear… To avoid drawing attention to that area, and the dreaded gaping-at-the-buttons situ.
But I’ve picked up some great tips (and more body confidence!) over the years, and now I love the way a crisp shirt looks. If you’re in a similar predicament, my top tips are:
- Accept that not all shirts will fit you in the way you want!
- I personally avoid anything fitted or darted as it just accentuates the, errr, issue.
- Wear a minimising bra, i.e. one with a high cup (in as close a colour to your skin as possible, if wearing white). This flattens down the gals, and helps prevent the gaping.
- Go for a slightly oversized vibe to give you a bit more room to play with.
White shirt with pocket – £27.99 at Zara
Cream, satin shirt – £19.99 at H&M
White & beige striped, flowy shirt – £25.99 at Zara
Blue poplin shirt – £19.99 at Zara and similar at Mango here
Pretty, versatile blouses
I love a blouse for those days where you want a bit more comfort than wearing a crisp shirt, but still want to look smart. Tuck them into trousers, skirts, or even jeans on casual days.
White, ruffled, short sleeved blouse – £19.99 at H&M and similar here
White, high neck, broderie detail blouse – £49.99 at Mango and similar here
Taupe, silky, V-neck long sleeved blouse – £17.99 at H&M
Pale blue, high neck, silky draped blouse – £45.00, Pretty Lavish at ASOS and also here
Sage green, pleated, chiffon long sleeved blouse – £24.99 at H&M
Emerald green, short sleeve, satin flowy blouse – £29.99 at Mango
Tweed jackets or tailored blazers
A few jackets and blazers are great to have in your arsenal, to add variety to your workwear capsule wardrobe and dress up a slightly more relaxed top and trousers/dress.
But, confession time… I actually really don’t enjoy wearing the vast majority of blazers! There’s just something about the lining you tend to get in high street blazers that makes me feel gross. Plus, I have super narrow shoulders – so most blazers just make me look like I’m wearing my dad’s jacket. Not so chic!
However, I appreciate I’m probably in the minority here! And I love how a blazer looks on others.
My exception to the “no blazer” rule is a tweed jacket. They tend to have a heavier weight, be better quality, and not have that icky lining situation.
I have a couple of ancient black (H&M) and a cream (Zara) tweed/boucle jackets which I still wear religiously in summer in lieu of a coat, and which otherwise live on the back of my chair, ready for any meetings.
White single breasted blazer – £24.99 at H&M and similar here
Cream boucle jacket – £39.99 at H&M
Beige tweed jacket – £69.99 at Mango
Grey boucle blazer – £34.99 at H&M
Black tweed jacket – £69.99 at Mango
Black blazer with ruched sleeves – £34.99 at H&M and similar here
Comfy yet smart trousers
I love the look of a tailored trouser. But, again… Comfort is key for me! Luckily for us: there are increasingly some great smart styles, which also feel more like PJs than a suit, out there. Score!
These styles are smart enough to wear with shirt & heels, but can also be dressed down with a T-shirt & Vejas for casual Friday.
High waist trousers with slight pleat waist in ecru, camel and black – all £27.99 at Zara
High waist trousers with belt – £29.99 at Zara
Court shoes
I personally love to wear a heel to important meetings and I just feel they elevate some of my fave work outfits that bit more. (Don’t worry, I also spend plenty of time in flats – ain’t nobody got time for sore calves when you’re stressed, running around trying to get docs out!)
If your preference is heels, my fave work heels everrrrr are from Mango. They’re chic, comfy and cheap at only £35.99 – what more could you ask for?! I have a black pair, a tomato red pair and a nude patent pair I recently snagged in sale sat in my wardrobe. They currently come in black, nude, tan croc and a deliiiiiightful berry colour.
I also love the famed £19.50 court shoes from M&S. They’re a *bit* less chic in my humble opinion, as they come a little bit further up the foot – however they’re still lovely and SUPER comfy, being that bit lower a heel. Perfect for dashing off to meetings! I have the faux suede style in black and navy. and they also come in nude vegan leather.
Loafers
If your preference is flats, I personally don’t think you can go wrong with a loafer.
BUT: make sure they’re leather. This doesn’t mean they will cost the earth, and loafers are classic so it’s worth paying a few pounds more. Plus in general, your work shoes get a LOT of wear so cheap work flats will just fall apart… I’ve learnt this lesson the hard way!
I have had these black, patent leather loafers from M&S since literally 2015 (not sure I should be admitting this to the internet!!) and they’re still good as new. At only £45.00, the cost per wear has got to be pennies now! The Russell & Bromley ones are also very popular and come in some beaut colourways, but I personally haven’t yet shelled out the £££ for those.
A smart, large-ish bag
I don’t know about you, but I tend to take a lot of crap to work! So I love a work bag that’s big enough to pop your iPad, document wallets, etc. (or just snacks…) in there without it bursting at the seams.
The Longchamp Le Pliage range is always super popular for gals across the City and I used mine devotedly for years.
I now have a black leather Coach handbag (similar to this) which I picked up at an outlet store years ago as a Christmas gift.
My dream work bag is probably the Louis Vuitton Neverfull tote, but I don’t really know if I’ll ever justify the pennies for that! Maybe a pre-loved one, one day…
Summer extras
Shirt dresses
Shirt dresses are super smart and flattering, while also being that bit more lightweight for the summer temperatures.
White, cotton shirt dress with pleated hem – £29.99 at Zara
Cream, chiffon shirt dress – £24.99 at H&M
Champagne, silky, wrap/tie shirt dress – £39.99 at H&M
Dusky pink, midi, pleated shirt dress – £29.99 at H&M
Baby blue, printed, tie-waist shirt dress – £49.99 at Zara
Black, midi, pleated shirt dress – £29.99 at H&M
Espadrilles
I love an espadrille in general in the summer, and think they’re a totally work appropriate option too!
Buying items that work for the business AND pleasure…?! Win! For work I pair mine with a floaty chiffon pleated dress, smart shirt dress, or pleated midi skirt.
Neutral wedge espadrilles – £49.99 at Mango
Cream wedge espadrilles – £25.00 at ASOS
Cream, low heel wedge espadrilles – £22.00 (sale) at ASOS
Black, low heel wedge espadrilles – £22.00 (sale) at ASOS
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