Success in a work environment is affected by multiple factors, one of them is how you dress. Your dressing does not just affect your mood, it also affects the way people perceive you. Perceptions and looks mean a lot in the work environment. If you look presentable, people tend to think you are smarter than your peers. You also receive more opportunities and people are nicer to you.
So when entering the daunting office life, it can be helpful to look presentable. This will help you form a nice first impression and keep it going. This chapter is extremely important in your life, and you need to dress like it. Additionally, many companies have a dress code you need to adhere to. All this points to the fact that everyone must have a few pieces of clothes in their wardrobe that are necessary for the work life. These clothing items will come handy in your daily office life. They are also called the office staples. If you need some clarity on what to buy, we have curated a list of all the staple items you need to your wardrobe in order to look well dressed for the office.
A Formal Blazer
A well-made blazer is necessary for the office. Some offices require you to wear blazers on a daily basis. While other offices are a little lenient with their dress code, you will still need to wear a blazer on rare occasions generally for a meeting or when you are meeting a client. A blazer is, therefore, a necessary item in your wardrobe. Nothing says professional like a blazer. Additionally, you can also make your blazer casual.
The blazer we like is this one from Amazon. The blazer is trendy and the colour will look great on all body types.
A Formal Dress For Business Meetings
A formal dress is another staple you need to add to your work wardrobe. There is a reason why they are called formal dresses. A formal dress that too a black one is an absolute must. Add this dress from MeiJaata to your wardrobe right away because it is classy, affordable and the perfect mix of trendy and formal.
A Nice Watch
When you are in an office, you need to be at the top of everything. That becomes difficult if you are not aware of the time. A nice watch helps you keep track of time in the midst of a regular working day. It is also a great styling piece that will make you look instantly better. Try to opt for a classic and simple watch for office just like this one from Fastrack. The watch is in a silver colour with a hint of green.
Work-Appropriate Pants
You obviously need to wear a pair of pants for the office. Hile skirts are formal, they are not a convenient choice for a regular basis. For that very reason, work appropriate pants are extremely necessary. You cannot just wear any jeans, you must have a formal pair of pants. These ones are really comfortable and totally work appropriate.
You might want to check with your office about how lenient they are regarding pants and jeans.
Comfortable Heels
You want to wear a pair of footwear that is comfortable and yet stylish. These wedged heels from Vagon are a perfect height and still look formal. You can wear them for meetings and special occasions. They have great heels that will also work well for regular wear.
A Work Tote Bag
Apart from clothes, you also need a nice handbag to carry all the stuff you have. Some people carry their own laptops to their offices hence it is necessary for them to have a bag that can carry their laptops, wallets and other miscellaneous items. Therefore you must choose a bag large enough for the same.
We love this tote from Cathy London.
Button-Up Shirt
Button-up shirts are the best tops for office. You can simply purchase shirts in different colours and you will be almost set for your work. You can wear them with pants as well as skirts and they go well with almost anything. You will also definitely need one when you are wearing a blazer. You can purchase the above shirt from Neo.
A Warm Cardigan/Shrug
When winters arrive, you need something to keep you warm. You cannot wear your comfy sweaters to the office, so what do you do? You can wear a cardigan or shrug like this over a shirt or top and look work appropriate while still keeping yourself warm. The shrug we love is from Espresso and is made of a soft material.
Comfortable Flats
There are always women who don’t want to wear heels on a regular basis even if they are wedged. For those people, we have a pair of flats. You might not want to wear heels on a regular basis, but these flats are so comfortable that you would want to wear them every day. They are a great everyday choice, so you can wear them on a regular basis and put on the other heels for meetings or special occasions. You can also choose from four different colours on the website.
Pencil Skirt
Formal pants are for regular wear but pencil skirts are for special occasions. You can wear them on the first day of work, for meetings or days when you wish to look extra presentable. These skirts will automatically improve your look and make you seem more professional.
The pencil skirt we love is from AND. They are a known brand in India and have amazing quality.
Conclusion:
A button-up shirt, work pants, formal blazer, pencil skirt, comfortable flats, formal dress, work tote, watch, heels, cardigan/shrug- here is everything you need in your wardrobe to prepare you for the work life. Office dress codes can be daunting and office life can be challenging, it is, therefore, necessary to be ready before going into the world. Be prepared with everything you can and you will make your life easier.