5 Work Wardrobe Essentials Every Woman Needs
Full disclosure: workwear is a very important part of your everyday wardrobe.
Why? Well, you spend most of your week at work, therefore, these pieces usually see more daylight than any others.
However, dressing for work can be a common conundrum.
After all, how are you meant to separate your work clothes from your casualwear? How do you make sure you look professional yet stylish? And how do you ensure that you can throw something on quickly and easily in the limited time you’ve got before you have to leave the house?
Not to worry — we’ve got the answer to all your questions. Here are the 5 work wardrobe essentials that you can mix and match to create timelessly chic looks — in no time at all.
1. The White Button-Up Shirt
First things first, you can’t go wrong with a white button-up shirt, whether you’re pairing it with tailored trousers or a pencil skirt for the office or your pyjama bottoms for a working-from-home Zoom call.
For instance, these Theory and Miss Captain long-sleeved versions are crisp, classic and versatile.
And do you know what this means? You can team them with just about anything all year round. Simply roll up the long sleeves during the warm summer months for a cool yet effortless aesthetic.
2. The Midi Pencil Skirt
Alongside the white button-up shirt, a high-waisted pencil skirt that’s knee or midi-length is a great addition to your work wardrobe.
If your workplace has a strict business dress code, you can team a neutral variety (like this Next Pinstripe Midi Tailored Skirt or this ZARA Tiered Pencil Skirt) with a button-up shirt, skin-hued tights and heeled court shoes.
However, if your company doesn’t mind the smart-casual look, opt for a fun colour, fabric or print.
Then pair it with a plain t-shirt, flats and a statement necklace to channel playful professionalism at its finest.
3. The Colourful Shift Dress
One of the must-have work wardrobe essentials for a career-orientated woman is the colourful shift dress, such as these Warehouse or Gerard Darel options.
Whether this is in a seasonal or timeless hue, a colourful shift dress creates a pretty look when paired with black opaque tights, a black tailored blazer and black heeled boots for autumn/winter.
Alternatively, you can opt for skin-hued tights, a white tailored blazer and neutral flats to brighten up your outfit colour palette for spring/summer.
Either way, this boss-lady outfit makes a big impact for all the right reasons.
4. The Black Blazer
Speaking of tailored blazers, nothing says “smart and sophisticated” like this Jaeger Long Sleeve Button-Up Blazer or this New Look Buttonless Swing Blazer (both in black).
In fact, the rest of your look could be super casual, but throwing on a tailored blazer can instantly dress it up to make it office-appropriate.
We’d recommend combining yours with a shift dress or a smart top and tailored trousers if you truly want to show that you mean business.
5. The Neutral Tailored Trousers
Lastly, if you want to champion contemporary minimalism, invest in some tailored trousers like these beige Reiss ones.
From cropped options for spring/summer to wide-legged varieties for ultimate comfort, this piece produces a sharp aesthetic when paired with a simple blouse, pointed shoes and seasonal eyewear.
And if you’re switched-on, you’ll opt for a neutral hue that you can wear for months (and years) to come.
Combining Your Work Wardrobe Essentials
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut with what you wear to work.
That said, you can’t go wrong with these work wardrobe essentials.
If you want to put a fashion-forward spin on your outfit, team them with trend-driven pieces, including shoes and accessories.
Or you could just stick to the staples for elegant, ageless style.