The Five Pillars of a Perfect Workwear Wardrobe
Wave goodbye to morning fashion paralysis with Liberty’s guide to what to wear to work, all with practicality, polish and professionalism top of mind
By: George ElliotRead more
The Five Pillars of a Perfect Workwear Wardrobe
Wave goodbye to morning fashion paralysis with Liberty’s guide to what to wear to work, all with practicality, polish and professionalism top of mind
By: George ElliotBuilding a fail-safe work wardrobe is no mean feat. You want a ready-made capsule wardrobe of good-to-go outfit ideas to save you time in the mornings, but you also want pieces that still feel like you. If only you had a straightforward, advice-filled guide to what to wear to work at your disposal. Well, now you do. From carry-all bags and comfy knitwear to slick suiting, effortless dresses and after-hours accessories, follow these five fashion fundamentals to build a workwear rotation that’ll put in just as much hard graft as you.
Timeless Tailoring
Nothing says “I mean business” quite like tailoring, so let your first new workwear wardrobe inductee be a sculptural suit jacket. With sleek lines and strong shoulders, either team with the jacket's matching trousers or skirt for a new season nod to the power suit, or mix with a contrasting yet tonal pair in velvet, silk or a dark wash denim). With spring weather being far from predictable, a smart coat that’s both chic and chill-cancelling is another necessity. Consider one that's black or neutral; that way it'll compliment pretty much anything you have on underneath.
Read more: get to grips with the season's biggest fashion trends
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Max Mara
Boemia Single-Breasted Linen Blazer
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Max Mara
Hangar Flared Linen Blazer
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Aligne
Mariah Curved Sleeve Hourglass Blazer
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Loulou Studio
Borneo Wool and Cashmere Coat
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Aligne
Kiko Boot Leg Pleated Trousers
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Isabel Marant Étoile
Adilinko Wool Jacket
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Issey Miyake
Shaped Membrane Linen-Blend Trench Coat
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Solid & Striped
x Sofia Richie Grainge Monaco Soft Tailoring Trousers
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
The Hardworking Work Bag
A work bag needs to be big enough to stow your laptop, lunchbox and Liberty Umbrella, without feeling bulky, restrictive, or out of step with the rest of your outfit. Liberty’s Letters Large Tote Bag, £345 is perfect for schlepping to and from the office, laptop in tow. Made in collaboration with design studio Pentagram, this carry-it-all tote could very well be the next It bag. Otherwise, DeMellier's Tokyo Tote Bag, £425, crafted from grained leather, is a durable and suitably roomy alternative.
Read more: invest wisely in the season's best designer handbags
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DeMellier
New York Midi Tote Bag
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Naghedi
Jetsetter Large Tote Bag
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Marni
Tribeca Shopping Bag
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
DeMellier
Large Tokyo Shoulder Bag
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Isabel Marant
Yenky Small Tote Bag
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Joseph
Cozumel Light Combo Slouch Bag
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty
Iphis Dusk Marlborough Tote Bag
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
JW Anderson
Large Popcorn Basket Tote Bag
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Feel-Good Knitwear
Prep ahead for the inevitable aircon wars with knitwear sturdy enough to ward off the arctic extremes. It's important to go for those that speak to your fine-tuned sense of style, so if you've a less-is-more mindset, keep to jumpers, sweater vests and cardigans that embody the codes of minimalism (neutral shades, statement silhouettes and plush textures). More of a maximalist? Look to those emboldened with vibrant colours and graphic patterns, those with mood-boosting potential that'll put an end to those Monday blues, no problem.
Read more: learn about the psychology of colour in clothing and unlock fashion's mood-boosting potential
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House of Sunny
Double Collar Peggy Cardigan
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
House of Sunny
The Rise Tripper
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Loewe
Anagram Mohair Cardigan
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Chloé
Silk and Cashmere Bouclé Knit Jacket
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
JW Anderson
Cropped Anchor Jumper
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Maison Margiela
Knitted V-Neck Tank Top
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Acne Studios
Argyle Jacquard Cardigan
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
A Time-Saving Dress
Among the many reasons why we love to wear dresses to work, there’s this: it’s practically a whole outfit in one, the most snooze-friendly choice of them all. To make your outfits bloom, refresh your dress capsule with a few minis, midis and maxis decked all over in richly coloured botanics – they're perennial and require little (if any) styling input your end. Wearing plenty of denim is also high up on the fashion agenda right now, so invest in a denim dress that's as effortless as your favourite pair of jeans.
Read more: encourage your sense of style to blossom with the season's best florals dresses
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Aligne
Mirabella Smocked Denim Midi-Dress
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Dries Van Noten
Striped Wrap Dress
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Pleats Please Issey Miyake
November Monthly Colours Dress
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty
Thorpe Townhouse Shirtdress
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Joseph
Knit Weave Plissé Dubois Dress
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
La DoubleJ
Portofino Cotton-Poplin Dress
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Desk-to-Drinks Jewellery
So far we’ve covered the nine to five necessities, but as there’s every chance you’ll be invited to after hours drinks, it’s wise to keep some special jewellery in your desk drawer to elevate your workwear look when opportunity strikes. First off, ensure you have an oversize pendant necklace or chunky chain to clasp around your neck – supersize yet versatile pieces that'll go with virtually anything you can think of. The same bigger-the-better mentality should also apply to your earring choices, so have a shimmering, shoulder-sweeping pair of drops to hand, too.
Read more: upgrade your outfits with the season's trending jewellery
Shop Jewellery
Lizzie Fortunato
Gold-Plated Crystal Lagoon II Collar Necklace
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty
9ct Gold Riviere Morganite Ring
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
By Pariah
14ct Gold-Plated Vermeil Silver Sabine Medium Hoop Earrings
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Kenneth Jay Lane
14ct Gold-Plated Square Link Chain Necklace
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Auree
18ct Gold-Plated Vermeil Silver California Cushion Moonstone Ring
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Alex Monroe
Gold-Plated Nest Structure Statement Drop Earrings
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Grainne Morton
Gold-Plated Multi-Stone Rainbow Mini Charm Bracelet
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100