14 Looks For The Office
There are 12 pieces every woman needs for a business casual wardrobe capsule. According to a OnePoll survey, “47% of women struggle when it comes to deciding on which work outfit they should wear”. When you have a work capsule wardrobe, you will be able to create so many looks for the office.
Today’s post shows you how to style those 12 pieces into 14 easy head-to-toe business casual outfits. I’ve had most of these 12 pieces in my closet for a long time. While I don’t go to a traditional office, I do work with clients and I wear these pieces in so many different ways. The pieces that make up a business casual wardrobe capsule are versatile enough that you can also style them when you’re out of the office too.
Related: “The 12 Piece Work Capsule Wardrobe“
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Business Casual Wardrobe Capsule Outfits | Video
14 LOOKS FOR THE OFFICE
Look 1
I’ve paired a blush silk cami with my favorite black slim ankle pants. They’re an ankle pant, but because I’m only 5’4 they actually hit me at the perfect length. If you’re taller it’ll hit a bit shorter. I think of them like an elevated legging but with more structure. While they work great as part of a business casual wardrobe capsule, you can wear them in so many different ways. I style them with sneakers and an elevated t-shirt.
I’ve added my black blazer (similar) to this look and I have the sleeves down as opposed to rolled up because it is an office look. If you’re going out after work you can roll up your sleeves to create a more casual look. A classic black blazer like this one is a clothing staple for any wardrobe.
To make this business casual outfit more work appropriate, I’m wearing closed-toe classic pumps (similar). When you’re building a business casual wardrobe capsule, look for shoes in neutral colors so they’ll work with most outfits.
To finish this look I’ve added a neutral tote. A great classic tote is the one bag I recommend everyone needs for work.
Look 2
I’m wearing the same blush cami from look 1, but this time styled it with my leather pencil skirt (similar). This skirt may be too edgy for some work offices, so you can instead have a classic black pencil skirt. Look for a skirt that hits just above the knee. A classic tailored silhouette with some structure to it. Avoid thin fabrics like jersey which can be too revealing.
I added a casual black cashmere cardigan and my black classic pumps (similar) which is the other pair of shoes I recommend for a work capsule wardrobe. To make this look more professional, I could switch the cardigan out for a black blazer. Otherwise, the cardigan works perfectly here to give a more feminine softer look. Pairing opposites like a feminine cardigan with an edgy leather skirt is a great way to think about creating outfits.
Look 3
The last way I chose to style this cami for work is with the black cardigan, my black pants, and my black pumps. When you are building a foundation for your business casual wardrobe, look for items that are solid colors over prints. Neutral colors like black, ivory, camel, blush, navy, or gray will give you so many more options for creating outfits that easily mix and match. Also look for items that are classic and tailored, that way your clothing pieces will be timeless and you won’t need to shop for a new work wardrobe every few months.
Once you build your business casual wardrobe capsule, make sure these items fit you perfectly. Getting alterations to these pieces will elevate your work clothing staples.
Look 4
For my next look, I’ve styled my black leather pencil skirt and black pumps with another essential work capsule piece, a silk blouse. Since this is a business casual look for work, I decided to tuck in my blouse all the way. Keep your sleeves down for a more polished look.
To take this look from work to play, you can roll up the sleeves or add a little edgy jacket, and switch out your pumps for a pair of ankle booties. You can see this look in the video below in minute 4:28.
Look 5
In the next outfit using only the 12 business casual wardrobe capsule pieces, I’m keeping the silk blouse and the skirt but adding my cardigan. Again I’m playing with opposites in my look by mixing the feminine softness of the cardigan with the edgy structure of the leather skirt.
I added my pink pumps instead of my black to show you how easily these colors can work with so many different things. Having these foundational pieces in neutral colors allows you to create so many different business casual work outfits.
Look 6
I switched out my cardigan for the black blazer in look 6. You’ll see from the last outfit to this one how one piece can transform a look.
While I love wearing black shoes, a neutral pair like these blush pumps or a nude elongates legs. To finish the look, I added my blush tote.
Look 7
In look 7 I switched out my skirt for my black pants. I added my black pumps and blazer. An easy way to make this look more casual if you’re going from the office to a night out is to roll up the blazer sleeves. Again my blouse is fully tucked in for that extra polish.
Look 8
For my next look, I switched out the blazer for my black cardigan for a more relaxed vibe.
Look 9
Instead of wearing my black pants here, I’m wearing my navy pants which are sold out. I love a navy pant over gray. Navy is a great darker neutral that is an alternative to wearing black. It also goes with so many other colors including black. I’ve kept the silk blouse on and again tucked it all the way in.
To make this office look more casual for after work, do a french or half tuck.
Look 10
The next business casual wardrobe piece is a lightweight solid neutral sweater (similar). A classic crew neck or v-neck works best for the office. Avoid a sweater that is trendy or has a low neckline so that it’s work appropriate. A classic sweater easily goes from day to night.
I paired it here with my navy pants and blush pumps.
Look 11
In this next work outfit, I’m wearing my black leather pencil skirt. Again I want to show you how you can style these pieces in so many ways. I love the feminine softness of the sweater mixed with the edgy structure of the leather pencil skirt.
For my neutral sweater, I went with a blush because I love wearing that color. If you are going to pick a few neutral colors to use for your work capsule wardrobe, look for pieces that you love the color of. Pick the colors that you feel best in and that will easily work with each other.
Look 12
I love styling a fitted sweater under a blazer. Again using opposites to build my outfit. Adding the blazer looks so much different than wearing the sweater on its own. The blazer gives more structure and creates a more powerful vibe.
I’m wearing my black pants and black pumps to create elongation of my legs and make me look taller. You can also balance out opposites in your outfits by pairing lighter colors with darker pieces.
Look 13
A dress that easily goes from day to night is a must have for your business casual wardrobe capsule. Look for one that has structure and a thick enough fabric so that it’s work appropriate. Also, look for one that’s long enough that it hits just above the knee and it’s not too low cut.
Even though I wear this dress for so many different parts of my life, for an office look I’ve styled it with black pumps. Your work capsule dress doesn’t have to be black but, look for a solid neutral color for versatility.
Look 14
In my last business casual outfit using the work capsule wardrobe, I added my cardigan to the dress to give it a more feminine feel.
If you want to be able to have fun with your clothes and get dressed easily and look amazing no matter where you’re going or what you’re doing whether that’s work or play, I recommend having a capsule wardrobe.
Business Casual Wardrobe Capsule Outfits | Video
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