The secret to looking chic at work – 20+fabulous office ready pieces you need now.

What to wear for work?
Whether you’re at home or in the office it can be tricky to find the right fit!
You want to look chic, professional and office appropriate.
But not too frumpy or conservative : You want to feel great, look great, feel modern.
That way you can forget about what you’re wearing and get on with the job!

Here’s your workwear checklist:
(Scroll right down to the end to shop more picks !)

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 be trying it on in the fitting room done up. Try it on and make sure it sits right across your waist WHEN undone).
Also don’t worry if the wide shoulders sit over your shoulders. That’s the look. First choice camel, grey, navy or brown or khaki and go for a slouchy trouser suit.Avoid 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). Pink, green or any bright colour blazer? Never looks expensive unless it is. Close your eyes and keep walking past ANYTHING in those colours. Especially a blazer.
Camel? yes ! 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 boring tops . Make sure it has black, camel and brown in it , a bit of blue so it works with ALL  your pants and skirts.
Styling tip: I love a blazer with pants and a skirt: over a work dress ? Nope ! It looks too corporate /bank uniform. Instead wear a long coat or trench that is at the same length as the dress.
This is what I am talking about ( more blazers below)

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The short 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 ! Frumpy cardigans never look good)( unless you wear out of context over a lace bra or with your Trackpants!)(And you are not wearing that to office!). Go for a shorter crop jacket that has pockets and looks a bit utility. It might be a bomber jacket, in suede, it might be in cotton. It might be wool. It’s very Chanel if you didn’t know.
Styling tip: Those collarless round neck jackets ? Can sometimes look a bit frumpy so make sure they have big shoulders . Wear with something cool like baggy pants and slouchy chinos/jeans. Layer over a neat knit or white tee.
This is and this is what I am talking about :

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A sleeveless Vest:
Otherwise known as a jacket without sleeves. Great to wear in winter. (And you will wear into next summer). 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 non? A plain ol shirt just looks a bit sad sack. That’s why I love and adore a sleeveless vest. You can move your arms around freely ( good for me when I am shopping!) but still look polished. It’s gives good shape and covers up all sorts of lumps and bumps.
Styling tip:  A vest 0ver a white shirt can look too swashbuckling pirate Jonny Depp. haha. But a vest works with a long sleeve tee or knit for sure. Wear with the matching pants so it’s a suit. Also great over a flirty skirt or pencil skirt.
This isand this is what I am talking about and more below.

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A Trench:
Of course I will always include a trench. Camel or beige. Khaki is good too. But you knew that. You need to toss it over a dress or a skirt . You are NOT wearing a short tight blazer with a dress to the office : No, no, no ! Soooo wrong. If you do a jacket then it’s got to be a long oversized blazer or a short crop trench OK? Get it?
Styling tip: It’s important that a trench is the same length as your skirt is so modern and chic . Both mid shin LONG!
This is what I am talking about :

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A cape/poncho:
Of course while we are talking coats : I love a cape this winter (and actually every winter ! ) Great for the office as you can wear at your desk and look chic. (ather than a big coat you need to take off) . A cape works with pants and a skirt. Plus you can toss it over a blazer and it works too.
Styling tip: A cape is great for travel because it’s one of those pieces that is right ( i.e look glamorous!) for both work and weekend. You’ll wear to work with classic pants and a knit, out to dinner over a blouse with leather pants and heels. Then on the weekend with a knit, jeans and sneakers.
This and this is what I am talking about:

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A (white) statement top:
It’s a Tee shirt on steroids. Dramatic and chic. It could have shoulder pads. It should be in a structured fabric. Great on its own with big sleeves ( no jacket required!) . It needs to make a statement. I’m not talking about a clingy underneath layering Tee that clings and shows everything lump. Never chic. You want a top that skims and look professional. It’s a great piece to wear in an overheated office after you arrive in a big coat.
Styling tip: Big statement sleeves ? wear your blazer on your shoulders. You may never get it over the volume!
This is what I am talking about :

A short sleeve knit:
I am a big fan of knit Tee shirts( Or any knits) instead of shirts: It’s easy to wear, doesn’t need ironing , always looks polished and will keep you warm in the office ( not too warm!). You can repeat wear. A short sleeve knit that skims ( not too clingy !) with a ‘flattering’” cut means you will always look neat, clean and tidy! Which is what looking professional work appropriate is all about right? Oh and comfortable too. They work under a blazer or on their own. Go for a knit with sleeves that are long to the elbow.
Styling tip: Think about layering the same colour on top so a cream knit under a cream blazer, a brown knit and a brown coat , a grey knit and grey peacoat or a khaki green knit under a khaki bomber.
This is what I am talking about :

A flirty 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. A pencil knee length skirt? Yes, so chic , so right now! BUT IMO a pencil skirt only works with heels/boots. Wrong with flats. Very hard to carry off.  And we love flats for work ! Go for a slight A line cut in your skirt and you can wear it multiple ways.
Styling tip: Please note: a knee length skirt is coming back, lurking on the fashion horizon ( Not here yet !)( but be aware). My advice: keep wearing a midi. Because if you pulled out your old knee length skirt right now you might just look like you never stopped wearing it. Yikes!
This is what I am talking about:

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Short/culottes:
Yes, love bermudas shorts for the office. Don’t call them shorts, call them culottes. They look great with heels. With knee high Boots in winter , very fashiony. Obviously we are talking knee length bermuda shorts or even longer. Invest now , early in the trend. ( For next summer 2028.)  They look great with a knit. With a blazer. A chic blouse. A trench.
Styling tip: You want black, grey or camel. In leather . Hot pink or denim short shorts? Haha I don’t think so !
This is what I am talking about :

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A simple dress:
Round neck, fit n flare shape. (Who does the best one? Me + Em ! They have a whole section called fit n flare).
Minimal. Might have short sleeves or long poets sleeves. Make sure it’s long : Midi , mid shin. Anything shorter? Nope. Dated. (Unless it’s straight of the Chanel or YSL runway). And it’s not office appropriate IMO anyway.  Choose for any colour as long as it’s FiFi approved : You know the drill. Black, white, brown, Khaki or camel. ( NB: Long sleeve black winter dress can sometimes look too ‘Greek Mama’ if you know what I mean !)( wear with seriously sexy knee high boots) Navy is sometimes chicer.
Styling tip: Frumpy florals, kooky colours or pesky prints ? A no-go zone. Dated. Aging. Tricky. Just NO ! But as a faithful FiFi follower you already know that. This is for the people at the back !
This is what I am talking about:

Accessories:
In terms of shoes you can’t go wrong with white pumps, kitten heels, ballet flats , a designer belt , a big designer tote in in tan or brown. This is a practical tote ( highly recommended from FiFi followers).
These are what I am talking about :

Get shopping (: so many good things it was hard to edit it down, haha)