A business casual dress code is my least favorite styling challenge, and not just because it usually means that there is some form of work involved. The hardest part about business-casual dressing is the amount that is left to interpretation. (Where's the line between business that's too casual—or not casual enough?) Also, what's considered work appropriate depends heavily on your job and the duties within your role: Are you client-facing? Is the office environment relaxed, corporate, or a mix?
As someone who dresses for pure enjoyment, part of the joy I derive from fashion comes from confidently knowing that my interpretation of a dress code is both suitable for the occasion and still reflective of my personal style. We have enough to worry about when entering the corporate workforce—let's take the stress of dressing out of it.
Similar to my career, my work wardrobe has evolved over the years. When I first entered the corporate world 12 years ago, I was required—yes, required—to wear heels and a suit every day. Can you even imagine? There is definitely a time and place for a power suit (and I've included my favorites blazers below), but EVERY DAY? Please.
Building a corporate wardrobe takes time, and shopping for the office isn't exactly how I want to spend my hard-earned paycheck. But I'm always thankful that, when I go get dressed in the morning after snoozing my alarm three times, I have a wardrobe that makes it easy. As companies enforce RTO plans, now more than ever work-appropriate clothes are up for debate. I've lived through many evolutions of business-casual, so let me help you with what items should absolutely be apart of your in-office rotation.
A Solid Commuter Bag
In the days of hybrid work environment, lugging your workspace (i.e. laptop) back and forth between home and office requires a do-it all bag… or so I thought. I opt to keep my workspace in my L.L. Bean tote and keep my purse for my personal items. Yes, that means I carry two bags—but with the long straps, the L.L. Bean just pops right over one shoulder, and my purse goes over the other. I prefer this method because, while the purses I gravitate towards are typically large enough to accommodate a laptop, I can’t have the weight of my lovely 15-inch Lenovo misshaping my soft leather Margaux.
If you're not into the two-bag set-up, there are plenty of laptop-friendly carry-alls on the market. The Row Park Tote is a great option for your laptop; its bottom is reinforced, so the shape won't be ruined by the weight of laptop. Another solid choice is the Madewell Soft Grain Shopper or the Mansur Gavriel Cabas Bag.
A Quality Blazer
Blazers are an absolute must for corporate life. They're functional, yes, but they're also more on-trend than ever. They've always been a classic for me, though—I'm almost always wearing a blazer from one of three places: Acne Studios, The Row or Tibi.
I love, love, LOVE Tibi. My love for the brand's blazers—specifically the Max Blazer, which is part of its WOFs (without fails) collection—runs deep. The Max is a perfect fit, with an interesting twist, in the form of Tibi's classic O-ring hanging from the back of the collar.
Trusted Base Layers
I talk about Leset's Margo T-shirt to anyone who will listen… and I show no signs of stopping. I think I own about 20 of these now. They are simply the best. For a more price-conscious option, I've found that this Madewell T-shirt is a close runner-up.
Best-Foot-Forward Shoes
Putting your best foot forward is important in your career…so what we put our feet in should be just as crucial I have two pairs of kitten heels that I keep on rotation, literally running them into the ground.
My most-worn is a black classic pair of pointed-toe kitten heels from Prada. My exact ones are sold out, but the classic heel is still available.I have a few more on my current wishlist, and will be purchasing them after these ones wear out... There's the Khaite Jett, which comes in black and snakeskin; Manolo Blahnik make the most comfortable heels, and these croc Morialo pumps are also very much on my radar.
Versatile Accessories That Tie Everything Together
My final step when getting dressed, of course, is finishing off my look with accessories. I usually stick to a classic stack of jewelry, and will add in a belt or sunglasses to tie my outfit together.
I purchased two of these belts from The Row, and they've stood the test of time. I've had them for about five years, and they still look new. Anderson's classic leather belt is another great option. The key is to go for something that you can swap in and out easily.
Making an impact in the work place is hard enough as a young professional, and presenting yourself confidently is easier said than done. Experiment with items that work for you, your work environment, and budget—just remember to have fun with it. Life is waaaaaaaay too short to not dress for joy while under the fluorescent lighting of corporate America.
