Office dressing :Your summer work wardrobe is here!
Your summer work wardrobe starts here!
Yes, dressing for the office can be tricky in summer.
You don’t want to look too casual .
But you don’t want to look too stitched up , corporate and old fashioned either.
It’s about being chic, understated, professional.
I like to say you want to be neat, clean and tidy. Understated but fashiony
Oh and best for your age right?
Whether you’re in an office or working from home it’s about easy , effortless dressing.
The trick ?
Invest in expensive (looking) versatile colours like black, camel, navy and cream.
(FYI Hot pink, Purple, bright green never look expensive unless they are.)(Not right for work IMO).
Stick to the FiFi philosophy of table top dressing: the focus on top of the body.
That’s where people are looking: Your face ( not at your knees believe or not !)( thank god).
Meaning?
Invest in lots of stand out jackets, major blouses and statement tops.
Keep the bottoms classic and understated. ( they’re hidden under the table)( good for zoom too !)
Of course the trouser suit is back. And it makes life easy : just make sure it’s updated so it’s modern.
Get shopping – Scroll down to shop my picks from luxe to less below.
Your workwear checklist:
A trouser suit:
It’s back. And it’s updated. But you know that now right? The oversized slouchy pants and jacket has been around for a few seasons now. And we love it. It feels and looks effortless ( Not tight and uncomfortable). Go for khaki, camel, beige or brown. Navy can be tricky as it can sometimes look like a flight attendant. True! Black is pretty boring but not wrong if it’s cut really really well. White? It is chic of course but for work? Think of the dry cleaning ! See below for more ..
A blazer:
It’s the pivotal piece in your wardrobe so let me talk about it in depth. Look for double breasted and slouchy. Single breasted and slouchy. It needs exaggerated shoulders. Whatever it does, it needs to sit across ‘the situation’ when it’s undone ( who wears a jacket done up ? Nobody ! So don’t try it on done up. Try it on UNDONE and make sure it sits right across your waist). Don’t worry if the shoulder pads sit over your shoulders. That’s the look. Should not be black. Too limiting. Only looks good with jeans. (Put a black blazer with black pants and it could be a snooze fest = boring)( even for work). First choice camel, grey, navy or brown or khaki. To repeat: pink, green or any bright colour blazer? Never looks expensive unless it is. Close your eyes and keep walking past. Do not pass GO.
I have absolutely lived in my Arket oversized camel blazer. Still wear it 5 years later : summer and winter. Similar here. Love it in Olive ( might get it)(occupational health hazard : I shop too much !).
Also think about a check blazer: it’s your standout outerwear item (table top dressing !).It’s a great investment because it will instantly update your old black pants and average tops . Make sure it has black, camel and brown in it , so it works with your pants and skirts. By the way I love a blazer with pants and a skirt: over a dress ? Nope ! It looks too corporate /bank uniform. You want a long coat or trench to toss on that is at the same length as the dress. More here
A shorter jacket;
It’s not a long blazer. It’s your alternative. It is good for work because it is a bit more casual. Not too corporate but still polished. And it will sit so well with your high waist pants and skirts. It’s handy because you can wear it almost like a cardigan ( banned : not fifi approved ! So frumpy cardigans never look good unless you wear out of context over a lace bra or with your Trackpants!)(Do you wear that to work? Thought s0!). Go for a shorter crop jacket that has pockets and looks a bit utility. It might be in suede, it might be in cotton. It might be twill. Layer over a neat knit or white tee. .
I would avoid those collarless round neck ‘Chanel’ style jackets with gold buttons. They can look a bit frumpy too. Unless Chanel of course !
A wide leg pant.
In black, navy, grey and camel. High waist , pleat front and slouchy. It’s time to UPDATE those slim, low rise tight pants. They’re so out they will be back in soon. Yes, more narrow pant is on the horizon. The new shape pant means they look good on their own ( No need to wear with a blazer) Tuck in a shirt or plain knit top and you look chic.
Core piece in your wardrobe. Wear with kitten heels or loafers, pointy flats.
Shorts:
Yes, love those for the office. Don’t call them shorts, call them culottes. They look great with heels. Perfect for summer in the city.Obviously we are talking knee length. They look great with a waist coat or a vest. With a blazer. A set ! Try culotttes with a chic blouse. You want black, grey or camel. Hot pink shorts? Haha I don’t think so !
A white shirt:
Should be standout with interesting sleeves, a dramatic shape so it looks good on its own sans jacket. It’s not a layering piece. Goodbye boring tight white non de la non shirt that looks like a bank teller. Drama is the way to go. Big cuffs. Puff sleeves. Major shoulders. It should have some volume. I’d go for a fabric that doesn’t crinkle too much ( A white cotton shirt never looks polished by the end of the day right?)
A blue shirt:
Plain or stripe, pussy bow: it just works with camel and white. A blue shirt is always on the FiFi list because blue loves neutrals and denim and lightens up black and adores camel. It’s a little bit of colour that instantly lightens your life. As simple as that.
A white statement Tee/top:
Great on its own with big sleeves it can be worn on its own ( no jacket will fit over them!) but a neater white statement tee is good too. Look for a thicker fabric (so it skims and doesn’t cling)( looks professional) and remember with big puff sleeves you can wear your blazer sitting nonchalantly tossed on your shoulders. Perfect when you want to cover your arms. A short sleeve knit? Love it : it doesn’t need ironing !
A sleeveless Vest:
Otherwise known as a jacket without sleeves. Great to wear in summer. Great to wear in Autumn. Great to wear in an office when it’s cold! Layer it over a neat knit or a plain shirt. Because sometimes you take off your blazer at your desk but still need something structured and chic ( instead of a tight crinkled cotton shirt!) so you look polished. which is why I love and adore a sleeveless vest. You can move your arms around freely ( good for me when I am shopping!) , look relaxed, get arm coverage by layering over a shirt or long sleeve tee. Office appropriate.
A waistcoat:
They’re back. As you know. Just a shorter vest really. Wear with matching pants as a set. Perfect for work right?
Try with nothing underneath. If you want to show your arms. Done up. Camel is chic. Navy is chic. Softer than black. Grey is good. Neutral is always a good idea. When it’s chilly layer over a long sleeve fine knit. Or if it’s hot over a white neat Tee shirt for arm coverage. Over a white shirt can look swashbuckling Zorro. All you will need is a sword ! Haha
A skirt:
It needs to be midi. Over the knee. Or longer. It might be pleat, in leather, cotton or wrap cargo style. Most flattering shape? A line. Because it looks good with flats AND low heels. which means versatile. A pencil knee length skirt? Yes, it is back and can be very chic but please be aware that a pencil skirt is hard to carry off with flats don’t you think?. A straight midi skirt is a YES but always with heels.
A simple dress:
Round neck, fit n flare shape. Minimal. Might have sleeves. Might be a shirt dress. Make sure it’s long : Midi , mid shin. Anything shorter? I don’t think so . (The thing with a short skirt is that it needs to be really mini and SHORT to look farshun and to me that is not right for the office). Anything longer than mid shin? Floor length is NOT right for the office or anywhere except the beach. Pick any colour as long as it’s navy, khaki, black or camel.
A Trench:
Well, I am a trench addict so of course it needs to be included. Lols. In Camel or beige. But you knew that. You need to toss it over a dress or a skirt . You are NOT wearing a short tight blazer OVER a dress to the office : No, no, no ! So wrong. It’s got to be a long (over the bottom ) oversized blazer. Or a crop trench is good. The thing about a summer trench is that it will be the same length as your skirt/dress. Both LONG. And remember it doesn’t have to be raining to wear a trench. Think of it as a summer coat that is totally work appropriate. This is fab, (good for summer)I have it camel and LOVE it.
Accessories:
White pumps or strappy heels, kitten heels, mesh flats or ballet , a designer belt , a big designer tote in tan, white or brown, see below or a practical tote ( highly recommended from FiFi followers).
Please DM or email with any questions : Always happy to help!
Street style inspo below
