Now that the career fair is over and you’ve hopefully got interviews lined up, it’s the perfect time to start shopping for those upcoming days in the office. Today, we are discussing outfit inspiration for your new professional wardrobe.
Business casual doesn’t just mean following a strict dress code and wearing dull gray outfits. It can actually be stylish, colorful and a fun way to romanticize your long days at the office. To start, let’s talk about some basics.
Of course, you are going to need some tops. Recently, I have been loving a boat neck top; it subtly elevates a basic piece. I love the “Annie Sleeveless Boat-Neck Top” from Weekday. Another style that will look great in the office is peplum tops. The “Peplum Top With Seam Detail” from Mango is a perfect peplum top.
Button-downs are another great pick for business casual outfits. You can thrift any button-down, roll up the sleeves, tuck the hem into your bottoms, and bam, a basic top has a new life!
The “Haven Long Sleeve Shirt” from Cotton On would look great styled this way and paired with white wide-leg pants. Short-sleeve button-downs, like the “Kimchi Blue Rachel Short Sleeve Cardigan” from Urban Outfitters, are super chic and great for summer days at the office.
Basic black and white pieces will become staples in your professional wardrobe, but you can also incorporate fun colors and prints, too. While polka dots may be a current trend, in my opinion, they are timeless. A polka dot piece is perfect to wear to the office because it is fun yet not so bold that it’s distracting. The “Kiena Top” from Billy J is a perfect polka dot top. I also love the “Breanne Midi Skirt” from Peppermayo for a polka dot bottom.
Maxi and midi skirts are one of the best ways to make your office wear more feminine, yet appropriate. One of my favorite trends right now is a drop waist. Drop waists elevate any dress or skirt. The “Drop Waist Maxi Skirt” from ASOS and the “Pleat Accent Linen Blend Maxi Skirt” from Treasure & Bond are both examples of drop-waist skirts that are business casual.
Wearing a dress is one of the easiest ways to put together an outfit. While it gives the appearance of being dressed up and fancy, your look took very little effort. One of my favorite dress styles right now is the “Tobie Shirt Dress by Exquise” from Anthropologie. This dress is an eye-catching take on a classic dress shirt.
A pair of basic black slacks is the most important business casual staple. They go with any top, making it easy to put outfits together, especially when you are running late. Wide-leg pants are very flattering, and a solid option is the “High Waisted Pocket Work Flare Pants” from Halara, but you can find a pair of these pretty much anywhere — I got mine from TJ Maxx. However, while a basic black pair of pants is a reliable classic, a fun-colored pair of pants can brighten up your outfit and your day.
Another staple that will help you fight off the office chill is a cardigan or sweater. While any cardigan or sweater that you already have will work perfectly fine, a signature color or patterned sweater won’t just keep you warm; it can also help you stand out. The “Old Burlington Knit Cardigan” from Princess Polly or a trendy wrap-top cardigan, such as the “Whoa So Soft Ballet Wrap Sweater Top” from American Eagle, are great business casual sweaters.
Lastly, let’s talk about shoes! To be comfortable in the office, a pair of kitten heels or ballet flats is the most practical choice. My personal favorite pair of kitten heels, which aren’t only comfortable but a chic addition to my outfit, are the “Cherish Red Patent” heels from Steve Madden.
A classic pink or black ballet flat will never go out of style and will match pretty much any business casual look. But to jazz it up a bit, a pair of fun and colorful flats can add interest to your outfit. The “Tasmin Flats” from Target are so adorable and have really caught my eye recently. Target also has a dupe for the very popular Flabelus flats.
Now that we have covered staple items, let’s talk about styling them, using some of these icons as inspiration. Kendra Scott, the CEO of the Jewelry brand by the same name, has great office wear looks. She wears a lot of bright colors and flowy tops, proving that business casual does not have to be boring and can be feminine.
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy was a fashion publicist and a fashion icon. Most of her street wear looks happen to be perfect business casual inspiration. Her style was conservative yet daring. She sported many maxi skirts, button-downs, loafers and oversized black leather bags. She always had a perfectly tailored pair of denim jeans, which are ideal for casual Fridays!
Danielle Pheloung, a now full-time fashion influencer, previously worked in finance. Her outfit, inspired by her days at the office, is chic yet very achievable. She wore lots of layered outfits, sheer black tights, button-downs and high heels.
Lastly, Andy Sachs, the protagonist of “The Devil Wears Prada,” wears some of the most iconic business casual outfits … post makeover. From structured pea coats and long layered necklaces to bold hats and tweed pieces, her wardrobe is full of professional fashion inspiration. But let’s not forget the infamous lumpy cerulean sweater that started it all.
For more ideas, take a look at my Pinterest board! Now that you have a vision for your professional wardrobe, remember to dress business professional for your interviews. Choose something classy that makes you feel confident. Good luck, and may you nail all your interviews and your outfits!
