The office is a tricky place. Dressing for it can be even harder
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Chances are, if you’re reading this, you work in an office, and you want to know how to dress for the office. It might be a small one. It might be a big one. But whatever the size or source of capital, you probably need to look presentable and professional. Because you're an actual tax-paying adult now!
Dress too casually in an office environment that demands a strict dress code, and you run the risk of looking like you can’t really be bothered to work there at all. At worst, you’ll probably get sacked. At best, you'll receive some pass agg from your seniors. However, dress too smartly for your low-key office – an achingly trendy Soho creative agency, for instance – and you’ll look super-keen. That's no good either.
It's especially tough when you're starting somewhere new and you don't really know what the vibe is. So we want to help with a foolproof guide for how to dress for the office, wherever you work.
What to wear in a tie-free office
Most offices out there require you to wear a tie 24/7. But nowadays, there are plenty of firms (PwC, for instance) that have now transformed into total tie-free zones. If you work in a place like this, it's not a case of just wearing a normal suit and a standard work shirt and going sans tie.
Rather, you should see it as an opportunity to try something for size that is as elegant as it is low-key. Swap your standard shirt for a granddad one, for example. Or wear separates (blazer and chinos) in place of a standard suit. Failing that, you could just team your suit with a crewneck sweater from Loro Piana. Or V-neck T-shirt worn with a double-breasted suit in a tonal shade.
What to wear in a law firm
Though the days of red braces and kipper ties may be long gone, if you do happen to work in an environment that dictates an ultra-smart dress code – like a law firm or a big city bank – then you most likely need to dress in a traditionally formal way.
The key here is to invest in a series of suits that you can interchange at will (you should be resting your suit for at least a day in between wears, as it is). We would advise one classic navy two-piece from brands such as Canali, a similar style of suit in black, a windowpane or Prince of Wales check three-piece by Tom Ford, and a double-breasted charcoal number in flannel. Once you have the basics down pat, it’s all about the accessories. Proper ties, an elegant dress watch, a selection of smart cufflinks to pick from, and of course, some solid shoes. Get yourself some derbies, Oxfords, and maybe even a pair of G.H. Bass loafers in a polished black.
What to wear in a creative agency
The opportunities here are endless. Which means you have to impose rules and certain limitations on yourself to get it right. Though you can go as casual as you like, the reality is that you still need to make a good impression, so don’t avoid tailored stuff altogether.
Our advice would be to opt for tailored separates in complementary tones, but to wear them lightly – with some understated sneakers from the likes of Common Projects and New Balance, for instance. Or with casual Loewe sweaters, chunky Marni cardigans, or patterned overshirts, as opposed to fine gauge pieces and tailored poplin shirts. You might be tempted to reach for that vintage Nirvana tee, but let's leave that one at home. At the end of the day, you're at work and not a hot, sweaty festival.
What to wear in the fashion biz
Whether that's Asos (yep, we all have to start somewhere) or a low-key brand like Très Bien, chances are you're housed in an office. But things here are a little different to those aforementioned corporate cages, and the rules are a little looser.
If you work in the fashion biz, try and have some fun with your fits. We're talking patterned fleeces in the winter, vest and cardigan thrown on in the summer, all paired with black slacks by Acne Studios or Bottega Veneta. And suits, arguably, aren't really the norm for people working in this industry, so put down the blazer ‘cause you’re going to look out of place. Although if it's a vintage Yohji Yamamoto design, you're in.
What to wear when it's warm
Sure, your office might have air con (we hope, for your sake), but the commute won't. And so you need to be clever about your uniform during the warmer months. Firstly, ditch the tie. Or at least put it on when you get to the office. That'll only increase the neck drip on your commute. Secondly, if you're required to wear a suit, go for something light or back drip-friendly. Linen is your mate here – there's a reason most guys wear it to summer weddings.
Our advice? If you aren't ready to fully invest in a Brunello Cucinelli number, then head to Arket. The high street favourite does a mean linen suit that has nearly all the razor sharp edges and slim cuttings of a Savile Row two-piece. And if you're fortunate to work in an office where ties aren't a given, then chances are you can switch out that shirt for a lighter crewneck tee.
What to wear when it's chilly
In London especially, you never really know what the weather's going to be saying. But, when the temperature does drop, you're not going to want to skimp on style in order to stay warm. Keep The North Face puffer for the weekend. That cagoule? Yeah, don't go marching into the office wearing it. Instead invest in a really, really nice wool overcoat. Paul Smith does a very decent one, that's made in Italy and has boardroom-worthy power shoulders. But if you're really down to get serious with your office wear, there's always The Row, although it'll cost you.
Down below, one way to keep warm (and trust us, we've done this) is to slip into a pair of long johns under your suit trousers. Likewise, invest in a vest. Uniqlo does both of these things experty well.
