The best work clothes for women should be easy to find, given how many brands cater specifically to the working woman—but clearly, it’s not quite so simple. Unless you have a strict uniform, figuring out what to wear to work can quite quickly become the bane of your morning routine. Luckily, though, we have plenty of fresh fashion trends to provide some inspiration, since sharp workwear is (seriously!) one of the biggest looks we’ve been seeing.
Basics like fitted blazers, crisp button-downs, pleated trousers, and slim loafers will never let you down. But beyond those staples, it helps to fully understand your office’s dress code—i.e., boardroom smart or casual chic—before investing in other hero pieces. (Work dresses are perfect for the former, while elevated jeans will ace the latter.) You’re welcome to stick to relatively muted colors, which go with everything, but there’s plenty of room for pops of color in your shirting, knitwear, and accessories. Hey, why not make work as fun as possible?
There’s no need to buy a whole new wardrobe when it comes to the best work clothes for women; fill in your blank spots and it’ll be nearly impossible to go wrong.
The best work clothes for women, at a glance
1. The button-down
While this dressed-up staple might be stolen from the boys, we prefer the way women style it. Gone are the stretchy chinos and sneaker-dress shoe hybrids; you can make these picks your own by tucking them into roomy trousers, preppy pleated skirts, or tailored jeans. Let the collar poke out of crewneck sweaters or throw on a necktie.
2. The blazer
Blazers are no exception to jacket trends, but you can never go wrong with a classic fitted option. Resist the urge to go oversized, at least if you don’t yet own a blazer; you’ll get much more office mileage out of a slimmer pick, and you can always add to your collection later.
3. The trousers
We’re of the thinking here at Glamour that trousers are the perfect all-occasion pants, even when you’re not in the office. They look good with any and all footwear—trusty sneakers, leather loafers, and kitten heels included—and add a dressed-up polish to ensembles that could use a little refinement. Go with wide-leg pants for your first pair, since they’re more comfortable for sitting and flow beautifully as you’re walking around.
4. The blouse
A blouse is the easiest way to make your look a little more precious; instantly, you’ll appear (and feel) sweeter. Better yet, they’re just about effortless, given that they pair nicely with everything from wool trousers to denim midi-skirts. While we went with solid colors here, there’s no reason to avoid louder hues and patterns if they speak more to your personal style.
5. The dress
Need we explain the magic of a smart, zero-effort dress? It’s a godsend for offices that lean more formal. Keep your pick feeling fresh by switching up the styling with belts, sculptural jewelry, silk scarves, and tights.
6. The flats
All the polish of heels, minus the tripping hazard—that’s why we love ballet flats. They’re beyond easy to pair with any of the bottoms in this edit, and they can either blend in or stand out, depending on the color you choose. We’re big fans of these two refined pairs.
7. The trench
Trench coats are about as close as it gets to the ideal all-weather layers; for most of the year, they’re long and windproof enough to keep you warm. But the real draw is that they’re universally chic—styled with any of the staples here, they only add to the chic working woman vibes.
8. The tote
The reality of many modern workplaces is lugging a laptop wherever you go—but at least it’s an opportunity to invest in a cute bag. These picks can fit most laptops, plus books, water bottles, packed lunches, and whatever else makes your commute more bearable. While they might look expensive, the cost per wear will work out to mere pennies.
9. The cardigan
Whether you’re facing transitional weather or you’re stuck in an office with overactive AC, the office sweater is sacrosanct. We prefer crewneck cardigans, which strike the right balance between warmth and style. You can leave these picks at your desk, but we suspect you’ll find yourself bringing them home on the weekends—they’re that cute.
10. The skirt
We’ve found it’s easiest to style satin midi-skirts for work. They’re easy and elegant, lending a smart edge to button-downs and blazers.
11. The loafers
If you don’t already have a pair of loafers to wear to work, drop everything and invest in some ASAP. They’re as easy to wear as sneakers and instantly make any outfit feel put-together; they can even justify outfits that verge on too casual. Loafers do it all, and we’re grateful.
12. The shirtdress
The appeal of the shirtdress is twofold: On top of being polished and office-appropriate, it’s also a great fallback for when you can’t figure out what else to wear. These picks require no additional styling to look incredible; just throw on your favorite earrings and any old pair of shoes and you’re good to go. Easy!
13. The heels
Pumps can skew a little too formal, while sandals can feel too casual. But slingback kitten heels check all the boxes for work: easy to walk in, able to elevate any outfit, interesting enough to avoid anonymity. These two styles will look incredible peeking out of trouser jeans or styled with simple dresses.
14. The jeans
Not every office environment will welcome jeans, but both of these cuts will pass the vibe check in more casual settings. (Those J.Crew stunners might even fly in fully corporate environments, at least styled with a nice blouse and heels.) The key here is keeping the rest of your look elevated—a blazer, belt, and ballet flats will work wonders.
15. The polo
Remember what we said about finding fun wherever you can? These colorful polos are office-appropriate and inject some personality into your wardrobe. Style them with satin skirts or pleated trousers in black or cream.
16. The finishing touches
While the era of statement necklaces for the office is over, at least for now, jewelry can make all the difference when you’re trying to let your personal style shine through. Pearl earrings and gold ponytail cuffs will inject some playful femininity into your office wardrobe, which, for better or worse, usually tends to lean masculine.
