The 4-Step Work Uniform That Works For Every Single Woman On Earth
by The Candidly Team
We love a template.
A formulaic thing that gives us an outline for what to wear in order to look and feel put together without any thought or effort? Yes please.
And so, we came up with a foolproof template for how to create the perfect, chic work uniform that we swear looks incredible on every shape human who puts it on.
It’s timeless, understated, untrendy, but also sooooort of “editorial.” And we swear, it doesn’t skimp an ounce on complete comfort.
It’s also only 4 steps. And if done correctly, looks something like this.
Have you guessed the equation?
It’s all in the waist-nipping, balance creating details, and it’s all so easy we actually look forward to getting dressed again. For work!
Here’s how it works:
1. THE WIDE-LEG PANTS
If you grew up in the 80s or 90s, the word “slacks” were something that did all the wrong things for a woman’s body—poofing at the thighs, cutting at the widest part of the waist, somehow making your butt look both 3x bigger AND flatter at the same time.
But!
A high-waisted, wide-leg pant does the exact opposite. It nips at the waist then swoops into a clean, elongating line that has a bit of movement, so it feels like you’re in pajamas but you look like Katherine Hepburn.
This makes it the obvious step 1 in our uniform.
the Tailored Trousers Of Our Dreams
Maeve The Naomi Ponte Wide-Leg Flare Pants
This entire work outfit template revolves around pants that basically feel like stretchy joggers, which is precisely how these feel. At the same time, they happen to be the supremely flattering pants we’ve been searching for our entire adult lives. Just a bit wide-leg, juuuusssst a bit of flare. The fabric holds some sort of stretchy, smoothing yet deeply luxe magic, while the cut makes us look chic, tailored, and 6 inches taller.
They work on every single body type but are especially ideal for curves. Thankfully, they come in plus, petite, and tall as well as 5 lovely colors. Black is a necessity you’ll turn to daily, but the bronze is serving as a slightly elevated neutral.
Price: $138
The Lighter, Stretchier Wide-Leg
J. Crew Sydney Wide-Leg Pant In Bi-Stretch Cotton Blend
For a while J. Crew was synonymous with the ideal office-chic wardrobe. Then, let’s face it, J.Crew lost its way. But….it’s back! Yes, we still have to shop mostly online for the Crew because in-person stores are still bleak, but these pants are a great example of what they do so well. Smartly cut staples that have just the right stretch, shape, and extended size range. This pair is light and easy to wear every day year-round, and make your butt look excellent.
Price: $98
The Perfect Ponte Pant
Everlane The Bi-Stretch Work Pant
These are, without question, the comfiest, stretchiest little black ponte pants. They hit at the perfect spot on the waist, smoothly gliding over any stomach pooch and making us feel “held in” but like we can still breathe. The fabric also keeps its shape so there’s no sad pouching. They’re the perfect-fitting, easy, everyday pant we’re always searching for.
Price: $78
2. The PERFECT BUTTON-DOWN shirt for YOU
A classic button-down doesn’t always strike us as the most exciting thing in our closet, but it’s one of the most effortlessly chic things we can throw on, half tuck, and call it a day. Needless to say, there are a ridiculous number to choose from, so sourcing the perfect one is really about very specific things that matter to YOU. And so, we found the best of the best in the categories that count the most as far as superb button-downs are concerned.
Your New Favorite Button-Down
We’ve searched high and low for the finest, best-fitting button-down, and we found it AT THE MALL. Anthropologie to be specific. The fit has a special secret you can read all about HERE. The size range is amazing, and it also comes in a very chic selection of stripes. Buy 2-3 of this exact shirt in your favorite staple colors or prints, and you’ll never need to buy another button-down.
However, for some other favorites that meet very specific criteria, there are:
The brand gets a bad rep for being something only our mothers wear (can you guess it?), but guys, this shirt is goooood. No ironing required, no crumpled sheet look at the end of a long day. Just an endlessly reliable, classic to turn to day in and day out.
A luxe relaxed silk blouse we could sleep in it’s so comfy. And then, the price!
The One You Don’t Have To Tuck To Look Chic
Clean is the word that comes to mind with the look of this one, and yet, the material is soooo soft and stretchy we never want to take it off.
The Best For No Gaping Between Buttons
The notion of “no-gape technology” is just too good to pass up, especially for us busty ladies. Pro tip: size up for a more “of-the-moment,” relaxed fit.
Don’t let the word cropped scare you off. This one hits right at the top of a high-waist pant, in the perfect, most flattering, slightly boxy way, which also looks great unbuttoned as a light outer layer.
3. The OUTER LAYER That Isn’t A Boxy Bore
It's hard to muster up excitement over office-friendly outerwear, though anyone who’s ever sat through 8 hours of an insistent co-worker’s arctic AC temp knows it to be a necessity. However, if you’re thoughtful and selective about things like the cut and material, this can be the piece that makes everything else suddenly seem refined and a dash more formal - that turns an outfit into a "look” so to speak.
For our 4-piece template, outerwear can go one of two ways:
A well-cut blazer., which, when chosen correctly, can be the most easily flattering item we own
A luxe sweater, which can carry supreme elegance, not to mention coziness
So, here are our favorites in each category.
The Sleek-Silhouette Blazer
Favorite Daughter The Favorite Blazer
We know this one isn’t cheap. But here’s our thinking (aka rationalization). We need one - just one - truly exceptional, perfectly tailored blazer to give us that ever so slight hourglass shape. One that isn’t too heavy or stiff and actually has a wee bit of stretch. It has to look “nice” and not have that shiny, wrinkly finish that some of the cheaper versions sadly possess.
This is by leaps and bounds our favorite blazer to buy once and never buy another, and we suspect it will be yours, too. If black isn’t your thing, it also comes in the creamiest tan.
And as a not-too-distant runner up, we love THIS one from J. Crew, which has plenty of skimming stretch along with a glorious size range.
Price: $328
The Chic Oversized Sweater
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Oversized Boyfriend Cardigan Sweater
This sweater is an entirely cashmere dupe of the beloved “fancy sweaters” of Jenni Kayne, which cost nearly 3 times as much. It’s heavenly soft and surprisingly light, so you never feel overheated or stuffy. It’s drop-shouldered and intentionally oversized, a billowy contrast to the clean lines of a wide-leg pant and the above tee. It also comes in the prettiest shades, and every single one looks as good as this sweater feels.
Price: $140
4. THE “SENSIBLE” FLAT THAT GIVES OFF HEEL ENERGY
We spend endless hours of our own time sourcing comfy heels that don’t make us regret every step we take in them. But in this ensemble, they just aren’t necessary. A sleek drapey pant takes care of giving us length, and the right shape flat can offer that elegant look of a pointed toe of a pump peeking out. No one has to know we’re existing in complete and utter blister-free bliss.
The Most Comfortable Ballet Flat In Existence
Vivaia Aria 5° Pointed-Toe Ballet Flats
We’ve been screaming about these flats ever since we got them, because our poor-tired feet have never felt so seen, so supported, so stretchily accommodated whilst being allowed to breathe. They mold to every width of foot, make bunions feel non-existent, and they do all of this while looking like something Audrey Hepburn would have worn on the daily. Most importantly, they come in every color and print imaginable, which is great if you want an easy way to elevate your whole polished look by choosing a bold print or color. We love them in leopard, but a classic peep-toe like this will never stop being Audrey-level elegant.
Price: $97
The Loafer That makes Every Other Loafer Superfluous
If you’re more of a loafer lady, but want those graceful, ballet flat lines, and that pretty pointed toe, this pair from M. Gemi is unlike any other. Though they look paper-thin, they’re brilliantly constructed to pamper the feet that walk in them, even having a hidden away wedge for extra support. By the way, if it seems like we’re treating our feet like fragile and separate entities that we must tend to like newborn bunnies, that is because that is exactly how we feel. Pretty much since the day we turned 35.
Price: $248
BONUS: THE EXTRAS
The Foolproof Fitted Layering Top
THE TEE
Feel what you will about their Kardashian origin story, Skims is undeniably making excellent quality essentials. We mean it. They fit curves in very sleek ways and leave us feeling good and held in but also extremely comfortable when we wear them. THIS top tucks so smoothly into the above pants and comes in every neutral hue we could desire. Again, great for work.
THE TANK
Pepochic Women's Scoop Neck Ribbed Tank Tops
We run hot and therefore, oft require a lighter under-layer. THESE are the best, most affordable ribbed layering tanks we’ve found.
The ideal Carry-All-Your Crap Bag
THE INVESTMENT
We’re not going to hide the fact that this bag is $450. But before you flee, here’s how we justify it. 1. It simultaneoulsy matches and elevates every single thing we wear during the week. 2. It has the sort of stunning quality that renders any other scuffed, plasticky tote we own utterly useless. It’s an investment, but it’s also THE bag we’ll treasure and turn to forever.
THE STEAL
Quince Italian Leather Large Triple Compartment Satchel
The perfect spaciously sized, pocketed satchel that carries absolutely everything while still looking polished and chic. Plus, it’s 100% Italian leather and costs a fraction of the price of most quality handbags.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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