My Friends Are Heading Back to the Office, so I Suggested These Chic Work 'Fits

Fall work outfits are a bit of a relief after the long, humid summer season. You can stop wondering just how much exposed skin is too much and add on all the office-appropriate layers without becoming a sweaty mess in the summer sun. Moral of the story: Office fashion is in its element during fall. That makes right now coincidentally the perfect time to start thinking up some fresh new fall outfits that are sure to impress your colleagues as you trickle back into the office. 

Since the topic of what to wear is the big question also blowing up my group chats, I figured I'd share my recommendations if you too will be gearing up for a return this fall. Whether you're in the corporate world or in a creative field, I'm sure you'll find something here to make the WFH transition a little less painful. Keep scrolling to see 19 work-ready looks that are sure to bring you tons of compliments. 

1. All-White Blazer + Slip Skirt + Tank

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(Image credit: @_jessicaskye)

It's a bit high-maintenance, but an all-white outfit simply exudes confidence.

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2. Vest Suit

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(Image credit: @sasha.mei)

Vest suits are the work-appropriate trend we've all been waiting for.

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3. Leather Blazer + Knit Maxi Dress

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(Image credit: @hannamw)

If the dress code allows, a sleek leather blazer is a nice reprieve from a classic wool topper.

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4. Classic Button-Up + Sweater-Vest + High-Waisted Trousers

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(Image credit: @deborabrosa)

A soft sweater vest is an easy way to achieve both comfort and style.

5. Belted Midi Dress + Shoulder Bag

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(Image credit: @dawn.tan)

A dress is the perfect one-and-done piece when time is of the essence. This one from our latest drop doesn't need much in the way of accessories.

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6. Dramatic Blouse + Wide-Leg Trousers

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(Image credit: @thevisuelofgrace)

Big meeting days require a power blouse.

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7. Oversize Blazer + Split-Hem Leggings + Strappy Sandals

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(Image credit: @taniceelizabeth)

You could get away with wearing this chic outfit every single day.

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8. Matching Blouse Set 

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(Image credit: @_marisamartins_)

A monochrome matching set requires minimal effort and always looks polished.

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9. Button-Down Dress + Minimal Sandals 

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(Image credit: @dawn.tan)

Yep, you're gonna need a breezy shirtdress for those inevitable warm fall days.

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10. Graphic Sweater + Split-Hem Trousers + Mules

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(Image credit: @camillecharriere)

But when the temperatures drop, a graphic sweater and fitted trousers are the way to go.

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11. Colorful Blazer + White Pants

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(Image credit: @nlmarilyn)

We're throwing away the whole notion of "no white after Labor Day."

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12. A-Line Skirt + Collared Sweater 

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(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Who could resist this cool color-block look?

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13. Neck Scarf + Neutral Sweater + Colorful Trousers

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(Image credit: @hannastefansson)

Neck scarves are the underrated accessories that can really transform an entire look. It adds instant sophistication with little effort.

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14. Knit Skirt Set + Monochrome Accessories

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(Image credit: @lefevrediary)

Wear this set with a blazer and heels on the weekday and with sneakers on the weekend.

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15. Plissé Blouse + Houndstooth Blazer + Pleated Pants

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(Image credit: @fakerstrom)

Try adding a plissé piece to your work uniform—it's subtle drama that's easy to pull off.

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16. Tailored Jumpsuit + Quilted Bag

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(Image credit: @greceghanem)

Jumpsuits can be suitable for the office too. Just look for versions with sharp tailoring like crisp collars and clean lines.

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17. Short-Sleeve Sweater + Statement Skirt + Knee-High Boots

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(Image credit: @fongminliao)

Your staple pieces don't have to be sterile—take this asymmetric skirt as a good example.

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18. White Button-Down + Leather Belt + Tan Trousers 

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(Image credit: @aimeesong)

Another outfit you could easily get away with wearing every day.

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19. Tailored Suit

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(Image credit: @stephaniebroek)

Embrace the season's suiting trend with a strong power suit.

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Fashion Market Editor

Indya Brown is a fashion editor, stylist, and writer living in Los Angeles. While going to school at Columbia University in New York City, she got her feet wet in the fashion industry interning at Elle magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and New York magazine's The Cut. After graduating in 2016, she joined The Cut as a fashion assistant, eventually working her way up to fashion editor. There, she worked on a multitude of projects, including styling inbook feature stories for New York magazine's print issue, writing and pitching market stories for The Cut, and serving as fashion lead for The Cut's branded content. While New York has been her home for over 10 years, she moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 for a new chapter. Now she is a fashion market editor for Who What Wear, focusing on emerging designers, rising trends on and off the internet, interior design, and BIPOC creatives and brands. Aside from her duties as a fashion market editor, Brown is also a freelance stylist and writer, working on national print and video commercial campaigns for Sephora, The Independent, and Cadillac. Her bylines also include Harper's Bazaar, Vox, and The New York Times. But once the computer goes down and the emails turn off, she's likely eating her way through Koreatown, hunting down vintage furniture, scoping out new outrageous nail designs to try, or taking a hot cycling class.