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Workwear is one of the main themes in my humble corner of the internet and when I started regularly posting on my blog back in 2019, I was almost 10 years PQE as a solicitor and I had my work wardrobe down. Filled to the brim with pencil skirts made with non-stretch fabric, fitted dresses and stiletto heels, I published a ton of posts yapping on and on about how you needed these “classic” workwear staples too. I find it amusing now looking back on those vintage posts.
Fast forward to now, and things have obviously changed. I’ve never had more fun getting dressed for the office and importantly, I’ve never been more comfortable. We’ve seen a shift towards this in the past few years, partly due to the hybrid ways in which a lot of us work, but also due in part to the fact that we’ve got little to no tolerance of wearing clothing that requires constant tugging, pulling and adjusting. That’s soooo noughties of us.
I’m lucky to work in an office that’s relaxed with its dress code. We get to exercise common sense with a “dress for your day” policy in place. Despite this, it’s still important to me to feel put together. Pre-pandemic, I was pitching things at business casual, but these days, it’s mainly smart casual where I ensure I have at least one element of structure (usually a blazer or tailored trousers).
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll have been no stranger to my recent workwear styling series where I wanted to challenge myself to see how far I could push the boundaries with my workwear, and whether I could style the wardrobe items traditionally off limits for work, to the office. The styling series was only meant to go for a month, but in typical me fashion, it ended up dragging out to two, as I got a little stuck for ideas at the halfway mark! I found the challenge to be so satisfying, particularly when styling the loungewear and activewear pieces in my office looks, as those items are mainly reserved for when I’m WFH or slothing around the house, so it felt like a total badass wearing those outfits to the office.
I’ve rounded up all 10 outfits from that styling series in this post. And to be completely transparent, the only outfit that I couldn’t bring myself to wear to the office was outfit no. 8. I’m sure a lot of you will understand why!
Keep scrolling to see!
#1 – Leather jacket
David Lawrence jacket* (sz 8), Everlane knit* (sz S – exact style linked though my colour isn’t currently in stock), Country Road skirt (sz AU 8), Ally shoes* (use ‘VIRGINIA40’ for $40USD off all heels – read my review of a similar, but higher, style, here), Celine bag (watch my review here), Arms of Eve earrings*, bangle* and beaded bracelets*
#2 – Track suit skirt
The Fold London blazer* (sz US 8 – similar version linked as mine is old season – similar style here, here and here), LMND shirt* (sz S), lululemon skirt (sz US 6 – AU link, similar here – US link), Bellroy bag* (review here), Ally heels* (use ‘VIRGINIA40’ for $40USD off), Arms of Eve earrings*
#3 – Sweat pants
Sezane trench coat (sz US 4, FR 36), LMND knit* (sz S), Power Of My People shirt* (sz M – use VIRGINIA10 for 10% off – review here), lululemon pants* (sz US 6 – AU link / US link), Gucci loafers (watch my styling video here), Bellroy bag* (review here)
#4 – Sneakers
The Fold blazer* (sz UK 8 – similar here), Arket merino top (sz S – current colours linked – similar here), The Fold trousers* (sz UK 8 – similar here), Celine bag (watch my review here), New Balance sneakers (also here)
#5 – Jeans
The Fold blazer* (sz UK 8 – similar here and here), Sezane shirt (sz US 4 / AU 8), Nelle Atelier Jeans* (sz 26), Ally Shoes heels* (use ‘VIRGINIA40’ for $40USD off), Tory Burch tote (review here), Arms of Eve earrings*
#6 – Leather jacket
David Lawrence blazer* (sz 8), Sezane breton striped top (sz XS), Uniqlo vest (sz XS – not visible but my nifty cold weather hack), The Fold trousers* (sz UK 8 – similar here and here), Dior slingbacks*, Celine belt (featured here), Bellroy bag* (review here), Polene earrings*
#7 – Combat boots
The Curated knit* (sz XXS), Arket merino top (worn underneath, sz S – similar here), Anine Bing skirt (sz XS – also here), Everlane Mac Coat* (sz XS – new version linked, similar here), Bared boots, Bellroy bag* (review here), Arms of Eve earrings*
#8 – Birkenstock Bostons
Sportscraft blazer* (sz 6), Power Of My People shirt* (sz M – use VIRGINIA10 for 10% off), The Fold trousers* (sz UK 8), Birkenstock suede clogs, Tory Burch tote (review here), Francesca earrings* & necklace*
#9 – Dressy dress
Sezane trench coat (sz US 4, FR 36), The Curated blazer* (sz XS – review here, AU link here), Arket merino top (worn underneath, sz S – similar here), Goelia dress* (sz S – use ‘VJ15’ for 15% off), Wittner boots, Bellroy bag* (review here), Arms of Eve earrings*, Francesca necklace*
#10 – Leggings
The Curated coat* (US/UK/EU link, AU link here – sz XS), Arket merino top (worn underneath, sz S – similar here), The Curated knit* (sz XXS), lululemon flared leggings* (sz US 6), Sarah Flint heels* (use ‘SARAHFLINT-CCVIRGINIA1’ for 15% off!), Bellroy bag* (review here), Arms of Eve earrings*
As always, thanks for stopping by!
P.S. Five of the best ‘casual chic’ shoe styles.
