The 14 Must-Have Staples To Build A Comfortable Work Uniform You Won’t Hate
by The Candidly Team
So, we’ve made it here.
Many of us have spent over a year working from our “home offices” aka the couch the bed the chair the kitchen counter the floor, rattling around in the new, body-mullet that will define our sartorial year of the pandemic: worky on the top, jammies on the bottom.
Because if we only have to look presentable from the nipples up for a zoom call, you’re damn right the sweatpants stay bloody on.
So now that the world is officially opening up, and we’re forced to confront the idea of wearing an entire work outfit, top and bottom, gone are the days where we’re willing to wriggle into soul-annihilating pencil skirts and heel-scraping kitten heels.
Because we realized something important:
We can just be comfortable all the time.
And while perhaps we can’t wear full-blown pajamas to our conference rooms, we rounded up 14 pieces that alllllllmost feel like it. Along with a few smart, pragmatic styling tips from our friend Taylor Tomasi Hill, style aficionado and Creative Director of our fave shopping app, The Yes.
Let’s go:
1. The Stretchy Blazer
Sometimes the idea of an arm-constricting blazer makes us want to lie down in a dark room and weep.
There is a solution for that.
This one has stretttttttch so you don’t feel like you’re in a straitjacket. Whee! Plus, wearing a blazer in something other than the obvious black is a way to instantly look more put together while exerting almost zero effort.
“A tailored blazer pulls everything together,” but “if it feels too constricting, you can always size up,” says Tomasi Hill.
2. The Silk Skirt
These are silk pajamas. But as a skirt.
No need to force yourself into a too-tight pencil skirt that makes you walk like a penguin.
3. The Ribbed Tank
Weren’t expecting that, were you?
We know a tank doesn’t work for every work place.
But, if it works for yours, it’s the ideal choice underneath a blazer, and the greatest hack for avoiding bulk, arm sausaging, and cutting off your circulation.
If taking off your blazer to reveal your shoulders and décolletage makes you feel half-naked, throw a scarf around your neck— you’ll feel more covered, and your tank will feel instantly zhoozhed.
Find out more about why we love it here.
4. The Giant Scarf
You know how we were taught that we needed a million pieces of clothing to help us transition from “day to night” but we realized that was just some magazine lie they told us to make us buy more crap? Well. Here’s what we all really need. A scarf to transition from life to couch. That’s it. And this is that scarf.
Actually, they call it a wrap, and it comes in 3 lengths, though the 3-yard has our hearts.
Find out more about why we love it here.
5. The Jean Jacket
If you don’t work in a traditional office, then no need to torture yourself with structured blazers.
A jean jacket can be a cute, comfortable, and still-professional alternative.
According to Tomasi Hill, “If you can wear denim to work, find the perfect one and buy it in 2 or 3 different washes,” says Tomasi Hill.
6. The Sneakers
Yes. This is a leopard platform sneaker. For work.
Why?
Wear all black with these and it will suddenly look like an outfit. Wear it with the aforementioned blazer and jeans and because the platform has height you’ll never feel stumpy.
Wear with literally anything mindless and it’ll look like you care because the pattern is a choice.
And of course they feel like slippers and you won’t want to die of foot pain. So.
7. The Wide Leg Sweatshirt Pants
This is essentially going to work in your sweatpants. Aka the dream.
Also, a wide leg is infinitely flattering on many body types, and feels 98x better than a stiff, itchy, wool cigarette pant.
8. The Perfectly Flattering Layering Shirt
It’s made of stretchy, ribbed fabric, which shirt-makers need to realize is the single most attractive fabric a lady can wear. The waist appears more nipped. The boobs seem more pert. The stomach rolls are gloriously camouflaged.
Also the sleeve length— flattering on its own, yet still comfortable underneath a jacket. Win win.
Find out more about why we love it here.
9. The Classic Tote
Turns out our work bags don’t have to be either mannish briefcases, OR unstructured “hobos” that essentially become trash receptacles.
They can be simple. Structured. Feminine.
According to Tomasi Hill, “you can never go wrong with a classic tote,” as it’s something, “you can get the most value from."
This reasonably-priced, supple leather tote comfortably fits all our stuff without falling apart
The only question is, which color combo will you choose?
10. The Everyday Ankle Boot
Most of us are planning to never wear heels again. And we stand by that.
But if you want some lift without 8 hours of excruciating foot pain, these ankle boots are your answer.
They are actually comfortable. Even though they have the slightest heel, it’s almost imperceptible, so you can easily wear them all day.
11. The Arm-Freeing Coat
Another way to avoid work-coat arm sausages? Go for an oversized style.
If you’re a “must be warm” person in the fall and winter months, but you’re also a “must be cozy and comfortable person” mixed with a “must be cute and stylish at all times” person, well, this is your lucky day.
It’s also the perfect piece to wrap yourself in at your workplace where you sit, teeth chattering, because your male boss keeps the thermostat at a balmy 61.
12. The Jeans
If you’re going to start wearing jeans again, to work, they might as well be these.
Universally flattering, made for curves, and come in 8 different washes so you’re covered whether you work from home or must dress “business casual,” whatever that means.
13. The Not-Boring Button Down
Is it a shirt? A tunic? A cover-up?
Who cares!
It’s not your basic boring button down. It’s the statement piece we all need in our closet.
Wear it over a knit skirt. Over LEGGINGS. It skims, it sweeps, everyone will ask where you got it. Which frankly might be annoying.
14. The Printed Bandana
If you’re tired of wearing a sea of neutrals to work, but also tire of the single, printed blouse you’ve already worn 50 times, we have the solution.
A printed bandana.
Tie it around your neck. Sweep it around your 1-minute top knot. The rest of your outfit can be stupid and boring but when you add a single bandana you will seem like someone who gets it.
Bonus: Outfit inspo to get you started.
If you’ve forgotten how to put together a real, human woman outfit, a good way to start is with Pinterest.
BUT. You’re also probably sick of seeing 5’10 models with toothpick legs wearing blanket shawls and tulle skirts.
So we rounded up 12 real-woman outfits, lightly inspired by the items above, as thought-starters to get you going. Who knows—you might even get…..excited about wearing work clothes again?
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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