Whether you work in an office or with your hands, are client facing or work from home, the one thing we can all agree on when it comes to the 9-to-5 is that getting ready every day needs fresh inspiration to stop your outfits from feeling boring.
The idea of traditional “workwear” can box us into a style rut of grey suits and court shoes, but what you wear to work needn’t be drab pinstripes, and there is a lot on the high street that you’ll want to wear during the week and over the weekend too. With the new season in sight, there’s no reason you can’t embrace all of the colours, textures and silhouettes of spring in a way that’s also office appropriate. In an effort to prove it, I searched through hundreds of new pieces for the solution.
If there’s anywhere we can count on for understated, timeless pieces that can elevate everyday essentials to the stylish workwear sphere, it’s Zara, Mango and Marks and Spencer. If you weren’t already sold on Zara’s spring suiting, Mango’s leather separates and M&S’s knits, coats and impressive shoes, then you’re going to want to keep scrolling. There are enough wide-leg trousers, oversized shirts, refined co-ords, and polished accessories across the stores to build a capsule wardrobe worthy of a promotion.
To help take the stress out of your daily outfit planning, I’ve edited down the new-in sections of Zara, Mango and M&S to bring you 30 of the very best pieces to refresh your workwear wardrobe, and believe me—they’re anything but boring. I’ve also thought about outfit-elevating accessories like smart handbags and long-wearing shoes that will go with just about anything. So keep scrolling for the best stores for workwear that fashion editors secretly rely on to build countless workwear outfits. Just be sure to keep our secret.
This classic shirt comes in three different colours. We’ll take one of each.
How to wear tailoring in warm weather.
You’ll wear pleated trousers like these with knits, shirts, T-shirts, blazers…
Simple, elegant, understated.
Trenches are everywhere right now, but this light beige is perfect.
Sorry, pencil skirts–there’s a new style in town, and it’s far cooler.
This shade of charcoal makes everything look chicer.
Put away the blister plasters. We’re wearing easy loafers in the office now.
Come summer, you’re going to be thankful you invested in a dress like this.
That’s right—this really is £26. It isn’t missing an extra zero.
We’re convinced there isn’t a more sensible investment than a timeless trench in long-wearing leather.
Dress it up with a midi skirt, or keep it casual in jeans—either way, this cool cardigan is always polished.
The perfect desk-to-dinner staple.
A simple shirt can be turned into a statement piece with the easy addition of a pair of sculptural earrings.
Cream tailoring says, “I’m prepared for anything.” Just be careful how you carry your morning coffee.
A fresh, new way to wear classic pinstripes.
At least 70% cooler than a pair of black court shoes.
Here’s conclusive proof that you can wear a leather mini to the office. Just add a pair of tights until the weather warms up.
The pop of colour your midweek outfit needed.
We can’t stop talking about full A-line skirts right now, and we’re taking a leaf out of Pernille Teisbaek’s book and pairing ours with a casual polo top.
Everything about this look is summer-ready, but it can just as easily be adapted for a cold snap with the addition of a turtleneck and knee-high boots.
M&S is full of stripey knits that are perfectly paired with glossy leather trousers.
Brunch with friends? Just add jeans and sandals. Back in the office? It’s got to be tailored wide-leg trousers.
This dress ticks off the three S’s: simple, stylish and smart.
We would forgive you for thinking that this XL tote was designer.
Take your favourite leather biker, smarten it up with a blazer cut and add one of the year’s biggest colour trends. Presto—your new favourite jacket.
This makes a strong case for denim in the boardroom.
Call us optimistic, but we can almost feel the spring sunshine. The first rays mark the season that our boots go into hibernation and our sandals come into their own.
A new It bag from the genius design team at M&S.
Maxi skirts are trending now, and this would be perfect with a black column skirt and simple gold jewellery.
