I'd give anything to go back in time to H&M's first fashion collaborations in the early 2000s. Alas, I was too young to appreciate the designer-to-wallet-friendly worlds of Karl Lagerfeld and Stella McCartney. Now, I'm making up for lost time by shopping the freshly launched H&M x Wardrobe.NYC collaboration.

For its first designer line since H&M x Stella McCartney's Spring 2026 reunion, the Swedish retailer brought the New York-based label's signature minimalist looks, neutral color palette, and relaxed workwear to a bigger stage. "We wanted to create a capsule for H&M that was true to the Wardrobe concept: a timeless and versatile statement that was both essential and of the moment," Josh Goot, Wardrobe.NYC co-founder, said in the press release.

According to Ann-Sofie Johansson, head of womenswear design and creative advisor at H&M, the collection was designed with "ultimate essentials" that will be "in your wardrobe for a long time" in mind. The 28-piece collection is made from fine wool blends, organic cotton, and jersey and features "sophisticated and sensual" outerwear, day-to-night tailoring, fresh-from-the-'90s denim, and other "archetypal" looks.

Both brands have narrowed the lookbook to a "tightly edited set of essentials," which blend go-with-everything basics with unexpected silhouettes. Standout details include open-toe sock boots, a cropped shoulder-padded bomber, an hourglass jean jacket, and a semi-sheer tank top.

During the perpetually 85-degree day that is August, layering isn't even a thought. Still, to prepare shoppers for fall's cooler temps ahead and true to the Wardrobe.NYC's Spring 2026 collection, the collaborative collection ensured "everything goes with everything else" for when it's time to bundle up.

"Layering is a key part of the way I put things together—using wardrobe staples almost like building blocks to create an ensemble," Wardrobe.NYC's other half, Christine Centenera, said. According to the press release, hoodies, tank tops, and long-sleeve T-shirts are the "clean baseline" to razor-sharp wool coats, (removable) shoulder-padded blazers, and contoured denim.

This collaboration is one of Wardrobe.NYC's most recent and high-profile, following alliances with Adidas in 2018, Carhartt in 2021, and Hailey Bieber in 2022. With each new partnership, the label has stayed true to its straightforward yet sleek visual language.

Meanwhile, H&M morphs its catalog to match each brand's signature aesthetic, as proven by animal-print pieces with Roberto Cavalli in 2007, sculptural patterns with Balmain in 2015, whimsical babydoll dresses with Simone Rocha in 2021, and cruelty-free creations with Stella McCartney earlier this year.

As of today, August 6, H&M x Wardrobe.NYC is available online and in select stores and retails from $29.99 to $429. What are you waiting for? Minimalists, book it to your nearest H&M (or shop the rest of the collection below). Fall is almost here.

Shop the H&M x Wardrobe.NYC Collaboration

Finding fashionable workwear is a year-round challenge, but something about summer makes it even harder. Navigating the transition between sweltering commutes and icy air conditioning is never easy, especially if you want to look good doing it. Add in shopping for plus sizes (which are mostly online lately), and it starts to feel like a whole ordeal.

Fortunately, there are some chic, summer-friendly, and often underrated in-office, plus-size options out there. Ahead, get to know some of my top workwear brands as a plus-size fashion expert and blogger.

Eloquii for Stylish Suiting

I’ve wear-tested the majority of plus-size workwear brands on the market. One of my overarching takeaways is that plus-specific brands are a great place to start if you are looking for a great fit in blazers and trousers.

Eloquii is a perfect example. I’ve been a fan of the New York-based brand's statement suits for over a decade now, collecting them in every shape, color, and print. Creative director Yesenia Torres keeps her eye on upcoming trends, and you can always find both classic suits and of-the-moment takes from the brand.

This summer-perfect, short-sleeve edition is my latest obsession. The light color keeps things cool, the voluminous pleat-front pants fit like a dream, and I absolutely love the hourglass’s structured curve.

My only recommendation is to definitely size up once if you are fuller busted like me. My usual size here is a bit too snug through the chest for the average office, but going up one size will accommodate a large chest, no problem. I still feel powerful and sharp in this size, but I know from firsthand experience how much controversy even the tiniest bit of cleavage can cause in some offices. So, I recommend adding a lightweight, silk tank top underneath if you want more coverage.

Spanx for Surprisingly Soft Workwear

I know, I know: Famed shapewear brand Spanx is probably not the first name that comes to mind when you think of airy summer office attire, but it should absolutely be on your radar! With sizes up to 3x and an assortment of signature fabrics specifically engineered to be breathable, it’s actually a great option for warm weather workwear. I love the brand-new EasyBreezy cotton-linen blend (especially in wide leg trousers).

Even though it is more mid-weight, Spanx's popular Supersmooth ponte knit pant (with built-in shaping) is still comfortably wearable on a hot day. But of all the styles I tried, this impeccable draped sheath dress stood out as the summer workwear pick.

It might look indistinguishable from a standard structured sheath dress (a plus when it comes to office-wear, to be clear), but it feels like pajamas. The Airessentials fabric is another Spanx signature, made specifically to be breathable and gloriously soft. It's wrinkle resistant, too—something very appreciated when your days involve long stretches of sitting at your desk!

Now that I know how summer-friendly this fabric is, I’m going to be keeping an eye out for other pieces in Airessentials. The only asterisk I’d add for this dress is that it runs a little large, so I’d consider sizing down if you are torn between two sizes. I got my usual 2x and it works well on me, but it’s certainly more loose-fitting than other Spanx items I tried in the same size.

Lane Bryant and Lysse for Sharp Separates

Not every office calls for a full-on suit or even a dress, but sometimes, denim is a touch too casual. In those instances, work-ready separates from Lane Bryant and Lysse are just the thing. Lane Bryant has the benefit of being the longest running plus-size brand. Over a hundred years of fit experience shows up in the way plus size figures are considered in the designs. I’m a big fan of the Perfect Drape trousers, and I tell everyone who will listen that Lane Bryant makes the best plus-size capris on the market.

But the label’s thoughtful silhouettes aren’t just found in pants. Take this sleeveless button-down, for example: The slight swing silhouette gives ease around the midsection and there is still some shape built into the top to keep it from looking too boxy. This style also looks fantastic tucked into a pencil skirt or a pair of wide leg trousers. It can also be easily layered under a blazer if you need arm coverage (or have one of those arctic-level office air conditioners!)

For this look, I paired the sleeveless Oxford with Lysse pants, another of my workwear go-tos. A New York City label that initially focused on leggings, Lysse’s catalog has evolved to include so much more, and I am particularly fond of the pull-on pants. True to the brand’s roots, their bottoms feel like supportive leggings, but look like real pants. The patented compression waistband makes everything lay flat with no squeezing, and the cotton gabardine’s four-way stretch is happily wrinkle resistant. The track pants-inspired side stripes add a sporty vibe that offsets classic pointy pumps.

This look is perfect for more business casual dress codes, and the neutral color means you can add your desk jacket if the AC spikes too high. Form and function! And if you like this shape but prefer covered shoulders, Lysse has a similar poplin button-down with cuffed short sleeves!

Friends! Welcome back to another edition of Self Checkout, where the vibes are high (Go Knicks!) and the temps are even higher. As in, it’s hot as hell in New York. This week, I’m tackling a topic I’ve seen bubbling up over the last couple of weeks: What am I supposed to wear to work under these conditions?

I don’t know about you, but every summer it takes me a couple weeks to figure out my outfit formulas. Inevitably, they come racing back (what’s the fashion equivalent of muscle memory?), and the ones below are the three that I always rely on.

A Muscle Tank and Personality Pants

Ask any New Yorker (or maybe it’s just me) and they’ll tell you one of the worst summertime feelings is sitting your bare hamstrings on a subway seat. Eeeeyuck! Lightweight pants with a little bit of something, plus a muscle tank (less revealing and therefore warmer in an over-air conditioned room), solve that problem.

A Knee-Length Denim Skirt and a Linen Button-Down

Try as I may, I haven't been able to crack the slip skirt trend. I prefer more structure in my bottoms, like a denim skirt. I’ve collected a few over the years and always reach from them on those 75 degree days. I recently added this J.Crew x Lee one to the mix. A slightly oversized linen button-down (sleeves rolled to the elbow) is a cool yet polished complement.

Shirt Dresses

If you haven’t noticed, I’m a fairly modest dresser when it comes to the office. My go-to summer work dress is always a T-shirt or button-down dress. They’re a little more elevated than a jumpsuit or romper, but just as easy to wear.

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Kim Cattrall once said, “I don’t want to be in a situation for even an hour where I’m not enjoying myself.” In my experience, nothing ruins a good time faster than wearing the wrong work shoes. While I occasionally fall victim to uncomfortable footwear, the older I get, I’ve become increasingly less tolerant of sacrificing comfort for style.

Fortunately, several of this summer’s work shoe trends are also the most practical. Take, for example, the glove heel. This design has gained momentum over the past year because it’s elevated enough for professional meetings yet comfortable enough for grueling subway rides. Whether styled with slouchy boyfriend jeans or a rigid pencil skirt, it’s extremely adaptable.

Beyond the glove heel, other options range from no-risk staples like ballet flats to more avant-garde alternatives like split-toe sneakers. These corporate-friendly shoes have become some of my favorites as they’re the sort of dress ‘em up, dress ‘em down styles that can seamlessly transition from the office to a high-end restaurant with a $22 martini on the menu.

Ahead, follow in my footsteps if you want to elevate your nine-to-five wardrobe.

The Ballet Flat

Fashion’s enduring love for ballet flats isn’t anything new. In fact, I remember spending my college years traipsing around campus in Tory Burch’s iconic Reva flats. These days, I’m more partial toward contemporary silhouettes that have a higher vamp, which often prevents the shoes from flapping as I run around town.

My current favorites include a silver pair from Alex Mill along with a red satin set from Margaux. Both of these options have the simple power to make a more casual look—like the linen pants and T-shirt above—into something a bit more deliciously dressy.

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The Glove Heel

If I’m pining over something pricey, like Phoebe Philo’s Club Slippers, I’ll often test out a more affordable version first. It's a shopping strategy that I swear by.

Reformation’s Glove Heel, a high-vamp option that is similar to Philo’s, has become an everyday staple in my rotation. It’s shockingly comfortable—a proverbial hug for the feet, if you will. It slides on effortlessly and adds a sort of ‘90s-inspired corporate appeal. Get ready to channel your inner Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.

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The Split-Toe Sneaker

Lastly, and perhaps most controversial, is the split-toe sneaker. While Nike’s Air Rift has been around since 1996, it’s been difficult to find for years, often requiring a search through secondhand sites. However, following the craze around Margiela Tabis and Vibram V-Souls, this hoof-like sneaker has reappeared. Luckily, I snagged a pair before they sold out.

That said, the brand offers an equally chic version from its collaboration with Skims (see below). Their sleek profile makes them easy to style with summery dresses and skirts.

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