As we all scurry back to our nine to five, with Zoom meetings once again being replaced by in-person ones and our morning shift from the bed to the couch once again being replaced with a swift morning commute.
We begin to ask ourselves that pesky question once more of, “what do I wear?”
It’s difficult to strike the right balance of suitable but stylish.
Here we give you the go-to guide on how to solve that problem and look cool in the corporate world.
Cultivate Your Work Uniform
It’s important not to completely abandon your personal style when returning to the office; after all, you’ll be spending the majority of your time there, so it’s imperative that you feel comfortable and confident.
The most simple way to do this is to strip your style down to its bare bones and look at what silhouettes feel most comfortable on your body.
Now, apply this to your workwear.
If you live in your straight leg ripped jeans and a comfy hoodie, swap out for a similarly styled duo of straight leg suit pans and a comfortable knit.
You’re still able to work around feeling like yourself, but you look put together, appropriate, and stylish.
When stocking up on your workwear pieces, opt for two birds one stone, as when you shop with Qantas shopping, it allows you to earn Qantas Points when shopping at The Iconic.
Once you know what your go-to separates are, it’s all about mixing and matching, and suddenly you’ll find getting dressed in the morning is no longer a chore.
Don’t Disregard Denim
Whilst ripped jeans may not be the most workplace friendly, if you happen to work in a slightly more casual office, it’s important not to completely disregard good denim.
Jeans are such a staple in our wardrobe, partially because they’re so incredibly versatile, going from daytime brunch to nighttime concert with the switch of a shoe and the addition of a jacket.
So, of course, the office is no exception.
This season, we’re seeing a return to prominence for darker denim, which is the perfect workplace pairing.
Opt for a pair of sleek straight leg jeans that crop at the ankle in a striking indigo shade and pair with a classic white t-shirt or a chic and simple silk blouse for a crisp but still casual workplace outfit.
Incorporate (Appropriate) Trends
There are so many trends dominating the streets this year, but one of them happens to be the eternally cool and conveniently office-appropriate waistcoat trend.
This can be styled in a number of different ways; wear it open with a crisp tee or button-down shirt and a matching part of suit pants for a preppy and put-together look.
Or wear it on its own in the style of a button-down shirt with a midi skirt, a pair of boots and a stylish blazer for a laid back, ‘cool girl does corporate’ type get-up.
Another trend seen everywhere this season is the micro-mini, and whilst that may be better saved for dancing the night away after work, there are certainly ways to style your mini skirt to be elegant and appropriate for your day-to-day.
Choose a simple block colour in a neutral tone like black or charcoal so that it can be paired with varying different combinations; pair with stockings and an on-trend loafer for a 90’s feel, and finish off with a white button-down and matching blazer for a fun take on corporate style.
If you need more help on how to style loafers, Del Toro got you covered.
Look Down
Whether it’s hurrying to your train for your morning commute or tiptoeing between your desk, the fridge and the printer, your day to day involves a lot more moving than you may anticipate, and this is why it’s vital to wear comfortable shoes, gone are the day of spending hours in your strappy stilettos.
However, comfort and cool are not mutually exclusive, so finding a pair of shoes that suit your sense of style whilst also looking office-appropriate is imperative.
The first go-to for your nine to five is a pair of loafers.
Some incarnation of the loafer has been a fashion must-have for several years now. They can be worn with just about anything.
If your personal tastes lean a little more towards the grunge side of things, opt for a platform pair that still look preppy and appropriate whilst also packing a little more of a punch.
Alternatively, for a more classic style, go for something more reminiscent of the penny loafer style, the perfect day to day classic that will be ultra-comfortable whilst still looking chic.
If loafers aren’t your thing, fear not; the classic black boot is the perfect office shoe.
Tailor it to your tastes, be it one with a small heel or maybe try an eternally classic riding boot style to instantly amp up your outfit.
Back To Basics
Much like finding a uniform, it’s also imperative to fill your wardrobe up with basics; this will help you with your day to day task of getting dressed and will help you to look put together without even trying.
Pick out a great crisp white tee, a classic pair of charcoal suit pants, a well-fitting blazer, and a slip dress, and build from there; these simple basics will act as the building blocks for your outfits and will ensure that you always have something to wear, therefore abolishing nothing to wear days.
You might be clicking your heeled boots down the pavement to your office building, or maybe you woke up late and had to rely on your basics to get you out the door; whatever it is you put on your body, you’ll be looking put together and appropriate if you follow this guide.
Now, make sure to grab your coffee and check your emails; you don’t want to be late for the morning meeting.