What to Wear to the Office This Spring
New job? Return-to-office orders? Try these four fresh outfit formulas.
Over the past five years, you’ve probably developed some pretty strong feelings when it comes to in-office requirements. Let me clear the air up top and assure you that I, as a happily hybrid employee, acknowledge the benefits of both IRL and remote work. I come to you with one agenda and one agenda only: to support you in all your endeavors to get dressed (a.k.a. the fun stuff).
Since the start of the new year, many of you have reported that you’re commuting into work more often than you have since pre-Covid times. Once again, it seems a major cultural shift is taking place—the reason that, today, I’m here to discuss the art of the in-office outfit.
I say “art,” because in 2025, dressing for work is highly nuanced and can take on many forms. For most workplaces, the authorized office dress code is “business casual.” But oftentimes, polished jeans are perfectly acceptable, and for high-pressure events, you might feel your best when wearing a full suit. This flexibility is undoubtedly a huge privilege, but the more options you have, the more decision paralysis you face.
As someone who goes into the office on a regular basis and writes about clothing for a living, I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time thinking about how I like to get dressed depending on my day. So, to help streamline your decision-making process, I’ve distilled my learnings into a few simple outfit formulas. Scroll below to see all four.
Next month, our stylists are going live on Substack to answer all your burning workwear questions! Drop your industry, job title, location, and dress code in the comments if you’d like us to style an outfit just for you.
My Everyday Formula
Blazer + Knit Top + Wide-Leg Trousers
On most work days, my outfit reads business casual, and my #1 priority is comfort. This has resulted in a default formula whose elements are 100% polished and completely unrestrictive. Let’s start with the blazer. Most often, you’ll often catch me in oversized styles like the O’Hara or Rossi (see below), but as of late, I’ve been inspired to style the super-classic Yiyan in new ways. To Maddie’s point in her recent styling story, “Finding fresh ways to zhuzh up tried-and-true pieces often leads to more creative outfits.” I couldn’t agree more.
Next, I select my knit of the day—or in this case, knits, plural. I usually reach for a neutral-colored style, but for spring, I’m experimenting with layering bold hues. I love the way wearing the Rosalia cardigan over the Jamie tank is reminiscent of a three-piece suit. Finally: my beloved wide-leg trousers. I prefer mine pleated, and of all the varieties I’ve tried, the Bia pants take the cake, no contest. The double pleats and side button closure set them apart, while our macaroon color instantly enriches your outfit. To keep this look feeling fresh and springy, I added a pair of crisp white mules (similar).
My “Big Day” Formula
Suit + Non-Boring Blouse + Sharp Accessories
Big presentation? Important interview? On days when you need to psych yourself up, don your finest suit, an instant confidence boost in clothing form. Consisting of the Rossi blazer and Tinsley trousers, this one is my favorites we’ve made to date. The innovative knit fabric presents as traditional suiting but is secretly stretchy, while the blazer’s long length and the trousers’ slightly wide legs form an of-the-moment silhouette. To maintain this classic-yet-modern balance from head to toe, I’ll look for an underpinning that has an interesting element. Here, I’m wearing the Brooke top, which features elegant gathering at the waist. Matching leather accessories, including a croc-embossed belt and pointed-toe slingbacks (similar), tie it all together.
My Desk to Dinner Formula
Slinky Dress + Cozy Layer + Sexy Accessories
Forming a look that’s simultaneously conservative enough for the office and sultry enough for evening is not as tricky as it sounds. For your base, start with a dress that has a good drape and accentuates your shape. The Sylvie is an ideal example, with its slinky Italian jersey and curve-complementing contrast stitching. Next, add a coordinating soft sweater, which you can wear—or tie around your shoulders—for optional coverage during the day and backup warmth at night. Last but certainly not least, add moody shoes like knee-high boots (similar), some sculptural earrings, and a lipstick in your preferred shade of red. (I got this Dior shade—no. 999—in Paris seven years ago, and it’s still going strong!)
My Work Trip Formula
Everyday Crepe Set + Breathable Knit + Flat Shoes
Our Everyday Crepe fabric is absolutely game-changing when it comes to work travel. Packable, machine-washable, and wrinkle-resistant, it’s truly impressive stuff, and as someone who’s usually freezing on planes, I very much appreciate its slightly heavier weight. I also find that it stands up to layering especially well, gliding right over even my thickest sweaters. For a long travel day where I’ll probably experience a wide range of temperatures, I like to layer my jacket over a breathable knit like this cotton silk top. The ribbed waist provides a polished look and a built-in blousing effect around the waist, so there’s no need to tuck it into your pants! In this case, that means the elastic waistband of my Elena culottes is concealed. Complete the look with flat shoes you can run in if they switch your gate at a moment’s notice.
Want more personalized office-outfit advice? Try M.M.’s (free!) BENTO® styling service. I wrote about my experience testing it out here:
Tech, VP of Investor Relations, Business formal. I'd like an outfit for meeting with investors in NY in May. I will be joined by my CEO.