Going Back to the Office? Here’s How to Revamp Your Work Wardrobe

It is not easy to be a working mom! Young beautiful businesswoman talking on mobile phone and looking at laptop while standing with her baby girl at her working place

Many people were on maternity or paternity leave, worked as freelancers, or worked at home during the height of the global pandemic. After being away from the office for months or even years, returning to work now feels like an unfamiliar experience for many people. Indeed, employees who haven’t been to a physical office for a while will be adjusting to a new routine and wardrobe once they go back to the workplace.

If you’re such an individual, your typical day of working from home may have included wearing yoga pants or loungewear. Although these outfits allowed you to stay comfortable and accomplish your daily tasks as a remote worker, they may not be considered appropriate to wear in the office. As such, you’ll need to pick out the more professional-looking clothes from your closet.

That said, creating office outfits can feel daunting if you haven’t done it in a while. At the same time, it can be an exciting opportunity to revamp your wardrobe and play around with different styles you may not have tried before. To help you ease back into spending your days at a physical office, here are some tips for putting together stylish, work-appropriate outfits:

Consider the Organization’s Culture

Whether you’re going back to your old office or starting at a new company, the first thing you need to do is consider your workplace’s culture. Has the organization always required formal or business casual attire when reporting to the office, and does it still do so? Has the company changed its dress code after allowing its employees to work from home for a while?

If your employer requires you to come to work in corporate formalwear, this may limit your options to business suits and sheath dresses. But just because you need to put on professional-looking outfits doesn’t mean you have to force yourself to wear uncomfortable clothes. So, make sure you still pick garments and accessories that feel comfortable to wear throughout the day. For example, if you need to wear tights under your skirts and dresses, buying control top tights that won’t roll down your tummy is a good idea.

While some companies have embraced a more casual work environment, it’s prudent to check if there are any clothes that remain off-limits. For instance, your company may allow jeans and tunic tops but prohibit shorts and flip-flops inside of the office. If your company has a more relaxed dress code policy, you have more leeway when it comes to your outfits. Still, you’ll want to keep garments like blazers and shift dresses on-hand for more formal events or client meetings.

Organize Your Closet to Make It Office-Ready

Once you’re up-to-date with your company’s current dress code, the next thing you want to do is assess the current state of your closet. If you’re like most individuals who’ve been away from the office for a while, you’ve put many work-related pieces at the very back of your wardrobe because you haven’t worn them as often. If this is the case, now’s the best time to bring them out again. 

Want to dress up for work more quickly? Place your work clothes at the very front of your closet where you can easily spot them. It will also help if you pre-select the pieces and hang them into ready-to-wear outfit sets. That way, you won’t have to rummage through your closet to find the tops that go best with specific bottoms.

While grouping your clothing and accessories into work-ready outfits, take note of any gaps in your wardrobe. For instance, do you need new shoes or tops in colors you can more easily match with your other pieces? Based on your findings, you can create a shopping list you can refer to the next time you buy new workwear.

If you happen to have more room for storage, such as the space under your bed or an extra wardrobe, you can put out-of-season clothing there. This will reduce the number of unused or irregularly used items in your closet so you can more easily see everything you own and wear regularly.  

Be Selective About the Materials Your Clothes Are Made Of

Have you grown accustomed to wearing more casual clothing and aren’t looking forward to tight, restrictive office clothes? If so, you can slowly transition to wearing business attire by choosing clothing pieces made of more comfortable materials. This means staying away from anything made of synthetic fabrics like polyester.

While clothes made of polyester are more affordable and easier to wash, they can cling to and feel uncomfortable on the skin, especially when it’s warm out. Instead, select clothing items made of breathable and natural fabrics like cotton or silk. These materials feel much softer against the skin and allow air to pass through them, which means you’ll feel fresh and cool when wearing clothing made of these fabrics.

Additionally, try swapping your structured blazers for softer-looking options that will still make you look professional without constricting your movements. If your company’s dress code has become more relaxed, opt for loose-fitting tops or flowy dresses instead of garments that wrap too tightly around your body. Also, select bottoms with elastic waistbands and wide-legged designs, as they make for great alternatives to comfy loungewear.

Experiment with Colors and Patterns

Another great way to update your work wardrobe is by introducing different colors and patterns into your everyday outfits. If you’ve become used to the traditional black and navy blue office wear, trying other neutral colors is a good place to start. When shopping for clothes, choose pieces in muted shades such as gray, taupe, and beige. Aside from diversifying your color choices, neutral clothing will pair well with most other items in your closet.

Once you’ve grown more confident about experimenting with your color palette, try playing around with brighter shades. If you need to wear a blazer, for example, why not select a red one to level up your ensemble? You can also go for garments featuring bold patterns. For example, instead of choosing a solid-color shift dress, you can try wearing a flowy floral dress to add more visual interest to your outfit.

Going back to the office may seem daunting, especially if you’ve been away for a while. You’ll need to make certain adjustments to the routine you’ve likely gotten used to, and that includes swapping your usual casual outfits for more professional-looking ones. Whether you have a formal or relaxed work environment, try looking at dressing up for the office as a chance to update your wardrobe and express your personal style.

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