9 to 5 but make it fashion: 8 street style trends to translate to your office outfits
Picture this: you wake up to the familiar drone of your daily alarm. Bleary eyed, you hop in the shower and, with plenty of time to go before having to leave the house, you get dressed with ease, never stumped for what you’ll wear. Sound familiar? We didn’t think so.
In matters of work wear, configuring cryptic dress codes of what is and isn’t professional—especially in creative industries—can be a never-ending challenge. Is denim too casual? Is tie-dye too artsy? Can slides be styled to look smart? How can I factor in the weather to look simultaneously practical yet professional?
The list of questions goes on unabated. Striking a balance between what is comfortable and what is appropriate to wear to work is no easy feat, which is why formulating a stable of staples you can re-wear time and again is both necessary and time-saving.
If you are in a creative field, consider pairing those pieces on the casual side of the spectrum with more elevated garments; team light denim with a smarter blouse, a T-shirt with a blazer.
Hoodies, jumpsuits, skirts and sneakers are all fair game in non-corporate environments—the trick lies in how you style these together. Below, consider Vogue’s curated guide to the best street style-cum-work wear solutions and take cues for your everyday office style.
The turtleneck
A casual-yet-thermal alternative, turtlenecks are often overlooked despite their versatility. Heed the cues from the style set at fashion week and layer under a short-sleeved button up T-shirt for a cool contrast, or team with fitted trousers or denim to juxtapose an oversized silhouette.
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
The blazer
Oversized, cinched at the waist or slung over the shoulders, a blazer is the easy add-on to elevate your office outfit. Whether worn as a suit, fitted with a belt or paired with a skirt, a cool blazer (in linen, wool or cotton) will see you through year-round.
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
The jumpsuit
While a corporate setting might not allow for a jumpsuit, creative industries lend themselves to this easy one-piece outfit. Worn alone or layered with a belt or a jacket thrown over, long-sleeved versions are ideal for the cooler months, while shorter versions will keep you cool come summer.
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
The co-ords
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An instant outfit pick-me-up, monochromatic ensembles minimise the stress of getting ready in the morning while still giving a sense of being put together. Choose an overarching theme—colour, print or texture—and pair accordingly.
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
The neutrals
Beige, brown, tan, camel—these are the failsafe colours to counteract the humdrum of the workweek. Teamed together or worn alone, these rich, warm neutrals will translate any silhouette into an instant and effortlessly stylish ensemble. Familiarise yourself with these fashion week pointers and pair with denim or leather for a textural contrast.
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
The LBD
Another easy, effortless work wear solution is the little black (or white) dress. Follow Linda Tol’s example below and layer over sweaters in the winter, or wear alone as per Caroline Daur in the warmer months, and pair with sneakers, flats or heels depending on the meetings or events scheduled in your day.
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
Pop of colour
Of all the street style trends that have reigned supreme in 2019, colour is the clear winner. Try on bold hues for size by incorporating colour into tried-and-tested silhouettes—replace your classic white button up shirt with a mint green version, or layer a colourful T-shirt under a neutral blazer.
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
The midi skirt
Exuding an air of professionalism and elegance, the midi skirt is another year-round office staple worth investing in. Paired with an oversized cashmere jumper, a blouse or a T-shirt, the midi skirt is as versatile as it is chic, and will look equally great rounded out with heels or sneakers.
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce
Image credit: Jonathan Daniel Pryce