With more offices opening (partially or fully) for the fall, it’s time to consider your wardrobe choices. If you spent the better part of last year in sweatpants at home, you might be wondering: Am I expected to wear a suit again? The short answer: Likely not. But if you want to lead with notable presence, you might consider a tailored look. In fact, after months of casual attire and elastic everything, you might actually be excited to dress up again and refresh your wear-to-work wardrobe.
Dress codes have definitely changed, though. Monday-to-Friday outfits now reflect the new normal work culture: Many of us will divide our time between meetings in the office and remote days via Zoom at home. This hybrid approach calls for a versatile, flexible wardrobe. Think casual-yet-crisp suits, deconstructed blazers (no excessive shoulder padding!) and fashion-forward colors and fits that can be mixed and matched to move from day to night. Look for pieces that convey your personal style, too—now that your co-workers will see you (all of you!) in real time, fashion is part of your work identity, so embrace it with a sense of approachability and fun.
Here are the essentials to put at the top of your shopping list: rich and neutral-tone blazers, updated pants (including some that just pull on), vests that pair well with skirts or silky shorts, and other key pieces that will make you look forward to Mondays.
The Casual Power Suit
Who says you need to wear a blazer to the office? This “jardigan” combines the structure of a jacket with the stretchy comfort of a cardigan. Pair with wide-leg sporty culottes, which are cut from wrinkle-resistant fabric, and you’ll stay sleek through your commute and a full day of meetings.
The Tailored Classic That Never Goes Out of Style
It’s J. Crew’s bestselling suit for a reason: This versatile blazer features clean lines and a fit that subtly nips in at the waist for a streamlined effect that looks great with trousers. Or pair with jeans and sneakers for a more relaxed take on office attire.
The Suit Vest And Shorts
The menswear-inspired vest is this season’s wardrobe essential, whether you’re working from home and want to look polished on camera or in the office and need to stay cool and comfortable. Wear with dressy shorts while the weather’s still warm and skinny ankle-length slacks when the temperatures dip.
The Cool, Slouchy Suit With ‘90s Vibes
Tap into fashion’s nostalgia for the past with a ‘90s-minimalist, slightly oversized blazer and pants set that recalls the pre-cell-phone era of unstructured dressing. The khaki color is a nod to beige-suit-loving icons like Diane Keaton and Lauren Hutton.
The Athleisure Suit That’s Super Comfortable
With more than 600 reviews and a near perfect five-star rating on Everlane’s website, this blazer is praised for its lightweight and slim (but not too tight) construction so it’s easy to wear all day. The pants rack up similarly enthusiastic reviews for being “delightful” to pull on, with an athleisure-inspired elastic waist, and sleek seams on the leg. As one fan says, it’s “a sweat pant disguised as a suit pant.”
The Blush-Tone Suit That Makes You Glow
The rosy pink suit is a refreshing change from the usual dark colors and flatters all skin tones. Not surprisingly, many fashion designers have embraced pink for its upbeat, optimistic vibe, and you can spend a lot of money on luxury suits in this shade. Or you can go for this super affordable, just-released option: the jacket is lined in satin and the pants sit high on the waist for a leg-lengthening effect. Sizes will sell out, so if you’re interested, grab these pieces fast.
The Preppy Plaid Suit With a Modern Twist
Plaid can be hard to pull off in a suit, since the pattern can overwhelm you or feel too busy and stuffy. This blazer’s subtle plaid features thin lines set against a calming dark background for an overall sophisticated mood. Loosen things up further by throwing a belt around your waist and breaking up the plaid with trousers in a simple navy or rich solid color.
The Does-It-All Jumpsuit
When in doubt, go for a jumpsuit. These all-in-one pieces are the perfect balance of dressy and casual: Hannah Artwear’s cotton gauze option is breathable on warm fall days and makes a chic statement with its flared shoulders. For cooler weather, slip on Anthony Thomas Melillo’s silky black jumpsuit with a fitted blazer and flat leather mules for a look that easily transitions from sharing spreadsheets to team drinks.
