Dressing Up At Work Is Back In Style

Everything’s changed at work. Including how we dress.

Recently, a client came to us to help him reimagine his casual office attire. He already has an impressive collection of bespoke designer suits and more than a hundred ties. He’s a CEO and was one of the last holdouts during the pandemic, dressing up for work as if nothing had changed, while his colleagues ditched their suits for more casual (sometimes way casual) styles. A few of the partners pulled him aside one day. Told him he looked out of touch and needed to dial it down. He wasn’t super happy about it––he thought that their halfhearted attempts at being more casual by taking off their jackets and ties looked lazy. Despite his skepticism, he came to us for a more well thought out, elegant yet causal, cohesive style “Think Italian billionaire.” With that direction, we curated a combination of deconstructed blazers, cashmere sweaters from crew necks to half zip collars, beautiful shirts, elevated chinos and a selection of  high end sneakers, loafers and lace ups. He was dare we say, happy, having met his colleagues request without sacrificing his own personal style.

Maybe we all don’t aspire to look like an Italian billionaire (although if you’re looking for style inspiration, Mr. Agnelli is the gold standard).  But if you’re looking for inspiration, take our client’s commitment to staying current while not compromising his personal standards or brand will certainly do.

You can dress up without a suit

Dressing up at work is back in style. But it requires a little effort, imagination, and yes, style.  For men, the sharp edges have softened but ties are still optional. For women the heels are not as high and pencil skirts are gone but so is athleisure wear as office wear.

Casual wear has its place, sure, but the power of professional attire cannot be underestimated. For men, dressing professionally not only signals respect but also manifests a sense of purpose and professionalism. Given, men are constantly asking us, How can I dress up without a suit?” While soft tailoring isn’t new, there’s something about unstructured tailoring that feels particularly in sync today: it’s more casual, reframes imperfections as stylish, is lighter and cooler to wear and in some cases, even machine washable (Please check your care for labels!).

A good foundation for men includes well tailored, unstructured blazers, crisp white shirts, and both light and darker classic trousers in your fall wardrobe. For women, now’s the time to work the layers and accessories and invest in versatile third pieces. You know that we personally subscribe to mixing high and low. BUT, we also firmly believe that you put your money into great bags and shoes— buy the highest quality you can afford.  These pieces not only elevate but are readymade for any business meeting or impromptu networking opportunity.

Both stylish and comfortable? Why yes.

How you dress is intriniscally tied to confidence. It can boost your self-esteem and your productivity. When you look good, you feel more confident, which spills over into everything—including interactions, presentations, and decision-making.

But one of the good outcomes of this transition back to work is that you can look good AND be comfortable,too.  Invest in pieces that combine form with function. Choose well-tailored, comfortable fabrics that can transition from day to night. Remember, your clothing is an extension of your personal brand. It communicates who you are and what you stand for.

Our prediction is that the return to getting dressed for work will be a good thing. Just as there have been important and lasting benefits from having lived a more casual way for awhile, putting on your work clothes can be something to get excited about. The key is finding your own personal balance between the two.