22 Business-Casual Basics Every Working Woman Needs to Own
Your Monday morning will thank you.
By
Lori Keong and Rachel Epstein
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It's tempting, when facing the perpetual what-the-hell-do-I-wear-to-work conundrum, to just throw your hands in the air, head to your nearest J.Crew, and buy one of everything. But any seasoned office drone (*winks*) knows you only really need a slim selection of items in order to truly master "business-casual" attire. Ahead, 22 cool-girl workwear essentials worth stocking up on, even if you're only on an assistant's budget.
Denim is a classic staple, fit for practically any work environment. Business casual has so many variations these days anyways, but a sophisticated look like this one is definitely part of the vocabulary.
A jumpsuit for the creative types who love a good wide leg. If you're not really the type to wear jumpsuits, try a dress equivalent in the classic shirtdress.
When the average button-up shirting options all start looking the same, it never hurts to break it up with something fun but still work-appropriate. Case in point: this checkered V-neck option.
If you want to shop navy trousers that won't make you feel like a total office drone, look for a pair of non-starchy options like these stylish high-waisted ones.
A versatile dress that still covers up your arms (for more conservative office environments) and is easy enough to slip on with a pair of heels and be ready for your commute.
A crisp white shirt will never go out of style. If you work in an extra creative office environment, you can get away with layering it under a camisole with culottes or a spaghetti strap dress à la Kendall Jenner.
Midi skirts are the Goldilocks of skirt lengths that make dressing easy. This one's exceptionally styled, with gold heart details and a flattering wrap waist. Wear it with a classic dress shirt or a sweater and look instantly pulled-together.
A no-frills shoulder bag with only enough room for the essentials is a perfect choice for when you're running between events and don't want to carry a ton.
A workwear essential (even if you never wear heels) for interviews and special events that require a stricter dress code. This one comes in a chic scalloped design that will pop against any ensemble.