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At Skimm Shopping, one of our biggest priorities is to help you shop smarter by stretching your dollars. And while offices these days have so many varying dress codes, I feel like it’s important to find pieces for work that you can wear multiple ways, for all kinds of situations. The 18 pieces in this guide can be dressed up or down, so you can customize your look based on your career path.
For more affordable, stylish outfit ideas, click here.
A mock-neck satin shell…
White House Black Market is yet another mall brand making a major comeback. This satin shell top feels fresh and you can wear it with jeans, trousers, or a midi skirt. For a more formal dress code, wear it underneath a blazer.
Some trousers that feel modern…
These pants from Ann Taylor aren’t too baggy or too tailored, making them feel modern and fresh. They contain 3% spandex for the perfect amount of stretch and they’ll hit right below your natural waist. You can wear them on their own or with the matching blazer.
A double-breasted vest top…
Hear me out: I think finding the right tops for work is one of the hardest workwear tasks. This one from Ann Taylor can be worn with the trousers above. I also think it’d look cute with a midi skirt. It has cap sleeves for a little bit of shoulder coverage, along with a criss-cross button front.
A pleated midi dress for every dress code…
I love this burgundy dress because it looks smart, but can easily be dressed down if you have a more casual dress code. It has a built-in belt and will look just as good on its own as it will layered underneath a blazer.
A playful option you can easily wear to a wedding…
Another hard aspect of shopping for the office? Some pieces feel so buttoned-up, it’s hard to get multiple uses out of them. This mint dress has a gathered top that feels playful, so you can wear it to the office or to a wedding.
A cashmere mini that feels like wearing nothing…
This mini dress from Quince is made completely from the brand’s Mongolian cashmere. I consider this piece the ultimate winter work outfit hack. It’s so cozy that it feels like you’re wearing an oversized sweater, but really, you’re wearing an elevated dress. Don’t forget to pair it with tights and boots.
A classic blazer…
I was today-years-old when I realized Abercrombie & Fitch makes blazers. This is a solid, inexpensive option for just about anyone. And if your dress code is more low-key, you can easily wear this with jeans.
An upgrade to our team’s favorite Abercrombie trousers…
Our editors have spoken extensively about our love for Abercrombie’s Sloane trousers, but I was delighted to discover that A&F launched a version with a built-in belt. Pick from countless colorways and four different inseams. They’re another style you can easily take from the work week to the weekend.
A relaxed-fit sweater tee…
I always rave about a sweater tee because it’s ideal if you’re sensitive to your office’s inconsistent temperatures. This one from J.Crew has a slightly oversized fit and is thin enough to tuck into pants. I’m personally eyeing the polka-dot one.
A button-down that hits at the perfect spot…
If you hate figuring out how to get the best tuck for the office, might I suggest a slightly cropped shirt? This one from Madewell hits right at the waist, so all you’ll have to do is throw on a belt.
A short-sleeve button-down for layering…
Pro tip: Wear a short-sleeve button-down underneath a crewneck sweater so you don’t have to worry about bunching happening at the sleeves. It’s made of 100% cotton and has a classic fit. It’s also ideal for sweaty summer office days.
A drop-waist mini dress…
If your office is on the dressier side, I’d pair this bubble dress with a blazer and kitten heels. I consider it a fancier T-shirt dress, so you’ll want to add accessories to make it feel less casual. It comes in five colors, but I’d go for the black one for work.
A cap-sleeve dress that acts as the entire outfit…
It doesn’t matter what you wear with this dress from Anthropologie because the silhouette is so unique, it’ll work for pretty much every dress code. Wear it with heeled boots in the winter and sandals in the summer. All you need is a pair of statement hoops.
Some pumps with a cool flair…
I love these zebra-printed heels because they’re funky, while still maintaining a formal shape and office-appropriate closed-toe design. You can wear them with a plain suit for more intense dress codes or you can wear them with denim for the more casual ones. The heel is just under 2.5 inches, and they come in tons of colors if the print isn't your thing, too.
Loafers for every situation…
Steve Madden is my go-to for testing out new shoe silhouettes I’m not 100% sure about. If you have yet to own a pair of loafers, I’d go for these. They’re under $100 and have a slim sole. The brand suggests going up half a size if you’re in between sizes.
A basic pair of black jeans…
I find that depending on the style of the jeans, they can sometimes bypass as trousers. This Old Navy pair has a slim leg and the wash is an opaque black. I’d wear them with a sweater for a casual office environment or with a blouse and blazer for dressier ones. The price is pretty unbeatable.
A bias-cut skirt with ‘90s energy…
My Gap addiction is alive and well, with this skirt currently sitting in my cart. It hits a little bit past the knee, comes in tall and petite lengths, and is so versatile. I’m planning on wearing it with tights when the weather cools down.
A vest top you don’t have to style…
This is another one of those pieces that looks professional all on its own. I love that this is a business-casual-to-formal option that’s under $100. Once again, depending on what bottoms you pair with this, you can have a stylish outfit that’s right for your dress code.
A cotton gauze top for summer…
Dressing for the office when it’s hot out is a pain point for me. This gauze top from Gap is airy, but still has a stylish cut. I’d wear it with these culottes for the hot days when you need leg coverage but want to stay cool.