Next week, after a two-year hiatus, I’m going to be working in an office again, for a four week stint. As you can imagine after a year filled with travel, followed by a year of working from home, my wardrobe is missing a few key pieces to make it office appropriate.
After assessing the gaps in my wardrobe, I reckon a dress or two, a couple of smart tops and a pair of trousers that are an upgrade on yoga pants, are the additions I need to expand on what I already own, without ending up with a ton of stuff I don’t really need.
I’ve kept my search to mid-range high street and online stores in order to keep costs low. Following are five of the best buys I’ve spotted, all of which are under £20, bar the black dress…
Flared Dress, £17.99, Zara
This long-sleeved skater-style dress comes in grey marl, red and black, and is just the thing for me to throw on after an early-morning pre-work yoga class before jumping on the tube. There’s only the smallest size left in the grey marl online, but it would be worth trying your local store as they had more sizes last time I looked.
You can buy it here
Textured Flowy Blouse, £17.99, Mango
Simple but versatile, this t-shirt-style blouse would work under a smart jacket, paired with patterned skirts or shorts, or with smart trousers and skinny jeans.
You can buy it here
Slim Fit Jeans, £14.99, Mango
I haven’t had much luck finding a pair of well-priced non-boring trousers, although I’m keen to try these Stradivarius ones on next time I’m in Westfield. For now a pair of skinny black jeans will have to do. These ones are on sale and in trouser smartness terms are kind of one-up-from-yoga-pant. Worn with the crepe blazer I already own, plus a plain tee and heels they’re (creative) office appropriate but yoga pant comfortable.
You can buy them here
Shift Dress With Asymmetric Hem, £42, ASOS
I have all manner of patterned dresses in my wardrobe but, unbelievably, not a single plain black dress. This one caught my eye with its combination of round neck, short sleeves and asymmetric hem, which gives it a bit of interest.
You can buy it here
V Neck T-Shirt With Chiffon Hem, £18, ASOS
I know to my cost that as much as I like the look of pretty blouses, I’m more likely to actually wear a t-shirt. This one, which comes in black or grey, with a chiffon hem, is smarter than the average tee, but will still get plenty of wear.
You can buy it here
Anyone else invested in some new clothes for the office or considering upgrading their office look? Which are your go-to shops for workwear? Do share below!
Hi Miranda,
Loved this post. Just ordered some of the Mango skinnies – figure I can get away with wearing them to work seeing as my legs are hidden under the desk!
I usually get most of my clothes from H&M – failsafe. Currently wearing an oversized, navy, loose roll-neck jumper that I got in their sale yesterday for £7 🙂
I love H&M too Soph, but sometimes I find it a bit overwhelming, I think I need to pop in first thing and have a good old trying on session!
I really enjoy RMS, and I don’t mean to be unkind, but this would never pass as workwear in my office! The items are a bit too casual for my role, even though I spend 50% of my time in a lab coat.
I find tesco can have some nice (cheap!) dresses, and h&m is also a good shout for blazers and more structured items which suit my shape better than flowy items which can make me look a bit like a box!
I’m lucky enough to be working in a creative office next week, where the rules are quite relaxed, but I would be happy to do a future post for more structured workwear, if that’s something you would like to see Lynsey. I love H&M for blazers too, but I’m trying not to buy another one, as I have a lovely black crepe blazer that I haven’t worn since last time I was in an office, it’s hard though as blazers are definitely a weakness of mine!
That would be really helpful Miranda! I end up wearing the same things week in, week out! x
Same here – I don’t have to wear a suit any more but have to be almost as smart. Next are pretty good (and bonus if there’s a sale on!) as I’m tall – Long Tall Sally also good but only ever in the sale, they’re too expensive just for work wear 🙂
Love the chiffon tee for weekends though, might do a bit of ASOS-trawling… xx
Mostly I think I’m to work in more relaxed offices, but it can be tricky to strike the right balance! Absolutely agree, Next are great for smarter office wear and my taller friends are fans of Long Tall Sally too.
Hello – and Happy New Year RMS!
To echo the last two comments, would also love to see a piece on smarter workwear. When I am on client site, the guys always wear suits but I really don’t like wearing my suit so would really appreciate any ideas for alternatives. Warehouse and Oasis are my go-to’s for work wear. I am usually wearing a pair of Warehouse capri’s with some sort of smart top. Hope all goes well back in the office Miranda x
Thanks Sian, and a Happy New Year to you too! Absolutely, will plan in a smarter workwear post for later in the month. x
*sigh*
I wish I could wear half of this stuff! I work in an office where you either have to wear a suit or something just as smart.
I dream of the day I can go to work in jeans!
When I walk through the city I always feel a little bit envious of all the chic women wearing their smart suits, but if I bought one I would have nowhere to wear it!
It is nice to “dress up” Miranda, but some days I would do anything to wear jeans, jumper and comfy boots!
finding decent, smart, affordable work wear (that washes well!) is so hard! I feel like I have done my trusty fail safe’s (M&S, next, dorothy perkins etc) to death!
this is a regular topic amongst the ladies in our office!
I forgot to add…and something that is not thigh skimming!!!
The washing thing is the worst, so many of the work dresses I own are dry clean only (I always forget to check) which works out expensive and often means that what I want to wear is at the dry cleaners, so annoying!
I’ve just started a new job and really want to re-invent my work wardrobe, but always struggle with the following:
A) dresses that are knee-length (and stay knee-length after washing!). I was looking on both asos and h&m and found some lovely dresses but they all look like they barely cover the backside! The alternative is something below the knee – where’s the in between?!
B) trousers – my poor legs are frozen, even with the thickest of tights, but I can’t seem to find some nice non-jean trousers that go well with ankle/chelsea boots. Maybe I’m just not looking in the right places?! I also struggle with sizing (either too tight or too loose!)
I’m lucky that the office operates a smart-casual dress code but at the same time, it’s a bit of a minefield as no-one is really clear on what’s okay and what’s not. I also like to seperate my work wardrobe from my weekend so that I don’t end up with everything in the wash at once.
I struggle to find seperates and structured clothes for work. No matter what clothes size I have been my waist size is always inbetween sizes and I’m a bit busty so I always wear dresses. I never really feel very smart though. I don’t mind that my work clothes aren’t ‘fashionable’ but it would be great to see a post about smart but comfortable workwear
Perfect for me! I go back to work after NINE months off in the morning!! I’m in a creative office in the day so this sort of thing is great and then I need to probably add on a few accessories to go out work with young people later on in the day. I just bought couple of slightly more tulip skirt shaped ones like the sweatshirt dress from Zara, but love that dress… and the white Mango top is just lovely! (I might need that one.)
I work for a publishing company and am always looking for new ideas for my work wardrobe. Skinny jeans, smart T’s and blazers are pretty much my staple, along with dresses and over the knee boots.
Thanks for the post.