If ‘workwear’ seems like an alien concept to you, you’re not alone. After two years of zoom calls and waist-up dressing, a return to the office full-time brings with it the excitement of getting dressed up consistently. But if we’re honest, it’s also left us all a little confused about what to wear to work now.
A capsule work wardrobe is the answer. Forget faffing in front of your mirror at 7am trying on a handful of tops to work with the trousers you’ve just ironed as a chic capsule makes light work of getting dressed.
What to wear to work in 2022
Here, I’ve narrowed down the six new-season items that will see you back into the office with a bang…
1. A stylish blazer
While a classic blazer has always been a key component of a work capsule wardrobe, it’s ordinarily been in muted tones and fitted – AKA a little bit boring if we’re being honest. Not anymore. Now, no rules apply. Oversized and mannish at the shoulders is the silhouette to go for, a bit borrowed-from-my-dad, shoulder pads and all.
Nip it in at the waist with a belt if that works better for your shape. And when it comes to colour and fabric, it’s about finding what works best for you – whether that’s leather, boucle, tweed, bright pink or even classic black.
What to wear with a blazer for work?
The beauty of the blazer is that it can be thrown over anything – shirts, knitwear, tees, dresses, jeans, joggers – and so will become just as big a key player in your off-duty wardrobe too. H&M’s Premium Selection range is pricier than its standard offering but always has great on-trend blazers and the quality is wear-forever standard. Likewise, Arket and Mango are go-tos for the mannish blazer done really well.
The most stylish blazers on the high street right now:
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2. A trench coat
If you don’t already have a trench coat in your capsule work wardrobe, now is the time to invest in one (and these are the best classic trenches to go for). A true perennial, it’s a piece that never goes out of style. Its appeal is obvious – the neutral tone goes with everything, the style flatters any shape and size, and it’s completely trans-seasonal, seeing you through winter when worn over cosy knitwear as well as drizzly summer days.
Opt for one that’s cut longer and hits anywhere from mid-calf down to the ankle, and slightly oversized in fit. Try on a few different beige tones to see what works best with your hair colour and skin tone, but when you find the right one snap it up, safe in the knowledge you will wear it for years to come, for both work and play.
The trans-seasonal trench coats to try now:
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3. A statement shirt
This is one aspect of waist-up dressing that should accompany you back to the office. Bold colours, statement collars, fancy cuffs, ruffles and balloon sleeves are all big news when it comes to shirts and blouses.
We can thank Scandi brand Ganni for bringing the oversized collar back into the mainstream in 2020, coinciding nicely with a reawakened love for Princess Diana’s 1980s Sloane Ranger aesthetic, which in turn reintroduced us to blouson sleeves and frilled cuffs.
A few seasons on and we just can’t shake them. A shirt or blouse with any one of these features – or why not go for all four in one – is a super easy way to inject a little fun into your work wardrobe. Perfect to elevate denim or make tailored trousers look a little less formal.
If it’s a white shirt you’re after, these brands do the perfect white shirts to dress up or down.
Here are the fancy blouses to buy and wear now:
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4. Comfortable flat shoes
If the thought of a 12-hour day wearing heels leaves you wanting to pull on your Uggs and retreat to the sofa, then this one’s for you.
Heels will undoubtedly make a comeback at some point (they always do), but not yet and not when it comes to workwear.
The biggest footwear trends right now are all about comfort and practicality, and while you may not be able to stomp into the office in Crocs or Birkenstocks (if you can, lucky you), you can slip on some cool flats.
Whether it’s a ballet pump with chain detailing, a chunky soled loafer, something with an oversized snaffle (inspired by JW Anderson’s cult shoe) or touch of shearling, it’s about flats with a little je ne sais quoi.
These are the eliza approved flat shoes to shop now:
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5. Tailored trousers
Want trousers that offer the optimal comfort of leggings and joggers, but are smart enough to wear to work? Meet the masculine tailored trouser.
See them as the boyfriend jeans of the workwear world: loose, relaxed and slightly oversized. High-waisted and secured with a thin leather belt looks super chic – think modern-day Katherine Hepburn vibes. These can be cropped just below the ankle or full-length, whichever suits you best.
What to wear with tailored trousers:
So easy to wear, they look as good with a simple t-shirt and blazer as they do a feminine blouse, and work as well with commute-friendly loafers as they do heels for a quick evening-ready switch.
Shop the most flattering tailored trousers on the high street:
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6. A do-it-all dress
After years of the fitted midi dress reigning supreme on the workwear front – you know, the type every woman on The Apprentice wears, loosely inspired by Roland Mouret’s once-coveted Galaxy dress – it’s time for something new.
We all need to be more mindful about what we buy and we need the pieces we do buy to work really hard for us. They need to be able to adapt to different occasions and different seasons so that we can get maximum wear out of them. This is where the do-it-all dress comes in.
What to wear with a dress for work?
Perfect for autumn and winter paired with boots and layered over or under knitwear, but also perfect for spring and summer paired with trainers and sandals. Likewise, it can look polished for work but also be dressed up for evening occasions with heels and jewellery. Opt for light to mid-weight fabrics like cotton to allow for layering in the colder seasons but keep you cool in the summer.
The most versatile dresses to buy this season:
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