Hi there! Let’s talk business casual looks today! I’ve worked in many different office settings with different dress codes, but I think business casual is by far the most common for me and my friends. I’ve always loved picking out work outfits! So, I thought a business casual capsule wardrobe with mostly fall and winter in mind would be a helpful blog post. You can really get the most out of a capsule wardrobe because you can typically wear these pieces to work and anywhere else. That’s my favorite part about investing in timeless pieces.
I know the entire point of a capsule wardrobe is to make it easy for you to choose your looks, but sometimes I think actually creating the workwear capsule wardrobe itself can feel overwhelming – so, I hope this post helps.
12 Pieces For A Business Casual Work Capsule Wardrobe
One of the best things about a capsule wardrobe is you’ve picked pieces you know you like so you won’t skip over them when you’re trying to find an outfit for work. The pieces below should all work together in some way to create a business casual work wardrobe with quite a few different outfit options. Just mix and match however you want! I included photos of me wearing a couple of looks, but there are also some collages showing how you could wear these pieces in different ways.
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Two Button-Ups
A button-up is a classic wardrobe staple, so I had to include it. You can wear it like I am above, or you can wear it with your work pants if you need to look a little nicer for a meeting! I would pick a plain white button-up and then one with stripes. I tend to go for cotton, but I do love some of the silk options out right now, especially for fall and winter. Any button-up looks nice tucked in, especially under a blazer! If you want an on-trend option, try this burgundy striped beauty!
Neutral Work Pants
I’ve always gravitated towards work pants for the office when I’m looking for an easy, comfortable, and professional look. So, I think it’s good to have a few pairs you can throw on for those days when you wake up late or just aren’t sure what to wear. They could even be part of a suit that you wear together or, sometimes, as separates. I would go for a pair of black pants, navy pants, or some type of tan. A muted green is also a good option! Neutral pants are a good place to start because they’re easiest to build outfits around, and you’ll get the most outfits with them.
Work pants are an important piece in your business casual wardrobe, so it’s a good place to look for high quality since you’ll wear them so much. I love crepe material because you can wear them all year, but cotton blend pants or wool pants are also great. The pants I’m wearing come in tons of color options – this one is the closest to what I’m wearing. I love the cropped version because I’m 5’4, but they also come in lots of other options and different lengths. You can shop this year’s version of my lady jacket cardigan here. If you want wool pants, then this is my absolute favorite pair. They come perfectly tailored. I’m wearing a size 6.
A Few Comfortable Tops for Now and Colder Months
I’ve stood in front of my closet in my pajamas so many times knowing which pants I would wear, but no idea which top to go with. If you have a few sweaters and blouses that you really like, then you won’t have this problem. You can wear each top with a lot of your jeans or your work pants.
I absolutely love this top. While you might wonder if a top this unique can be part of a capsule wardrobe, the answer is yes! Given the neutral colors, you can wear this with other neutral pants. Click here to see a reel of all the ways you can style this top, including a few ways for work. I linked a few other tops I love that you can wear to work with jeans, work pants, or a skirt. With fall and winter approaching, I wear this tissue turtleneck all the time too!
I also appreciate being able to throw on a warm top for colder months or even for a chilly office, but also want that top to work at dinner after work too! The short sleeve cashmere tops are perfect for doing just that. I also love this sleeveless cashmere option – you can wear it under your favorite jacket like a lady jacket for work.
A Neutral Cardigan
Cardigans are a good option to leave at your desk for days when the office is chilly! They can also help elevate your outfit if you’re in a pinch and need to add a layer over a dress or t-shirt. I typically wear cardigans and blazers interchangeably.
Meeting Appropriate Dress You Can Layer
Even in a business casual office, sometimes you just need a nice dress! Whether that’s for a big internal meeting or a conference where you’ll see people outside of your own company, it’s nice to have a dress you can wear to an event. I love this sleeveless dress. It’s the perfect base for so many different outfits, and you can definitely wear it even if you don’t have a meeting. You can wear the turtleneck and blouse under the dress, and layer the cardigan over the dress. There are so many other combinations that you can make with a dress like this, but these are a few that are inspired by work outfits I’ve worn myself!
Blazer or Lady Jacket
Okay, blazers are everywhere so you won’t have any issue finding one you love or one that will go with everything! They help give you a smart casual look that’s perfect for work. I’ve written about them quite a bit, so check out this post on how to style all different types of tan blazers. If you want a lightweight jacket but don’t like a traditional blazer, then you should definitely try a lady jacket or a sweater blazer. I’ve linked a few favorites below.
Lightweight Dress You Can Layer
My linen shirtdress was my favorite find this summer, and it’s definitely the piece I’ve worn the most all summer and into October so far. It’s so easy to style, and you can wear a cardigan over it for fall. It also comes in black and navy if green isn’t your thing! Click here to see how I styled this dress for fall. This is the perfect dress for a business casual work environment. Size down!!
Blue Denim or Black Denim
I am such a jeans gal, so if I’m allowed to wear jeans to work, I definitely will. Some offices require a nicer tailored jean, and in some cases, you can wear whatever pair you want! These are probably my favorite jeans, and they’re nice enough to wear to work. They also come in lots of other washes, including a dark denim and black – both of which are perfect for work!
My jeans and boots are exact.
A Midi Or Maxi Skirt You Love
The midi or maxi skirt length is perfect for work, and it ensures your skirt length is always work appropriate. Now, you don’t need to feel aged or unstylish in these skirts. They are super chic and there are so many ways to add your own personal style or on-trend piece to the outfit. Here I am wearing fun loafers and a suede jacket. I wasn’t going to the office, but this is definitely a work appropriate look for a business casual office. I love this slip skirt because it has a hidden elastic waistband, and it’s super comfortable. You can wear this with a sweater or a button up – it’s definitely versatile. I’m wearing size small.
My skirt comes in several neutral colors, which I recommend so you can maximize how many times you wear it. However, if you’re thinking you might only wear this once or twice a month, then go with whatever color you love the most and pair it with a neutral top! Check this slip skirt out for some fun color options!
A Cozy Layer: Trench Coat, Wrap Coat, or Tailored Coat
Outerwear is also an important part of a capsule closet! You need at least one outer layer for when it gets cold outside! Maybe you’re in a warmer environment and you only need a trench coat. Those are perfect for work. They’re both professional and practical. Or, if you’re like me, you will need a heavier layer for the winter months.
While a pop of color is fun for a coat, if you’re building a capsule wardrobe, I’d go for neutral colors for a coat so it works with most everything else. I did include one coat below that’s a fun color, but also goes with neutral outfits! When you’re shopping for a winter coat, be sure to check the materials. You’ll want to make sure your coat is mostly made of materials like wool or cashmere. Other materials are fine, but make sure you aren’t spending hundreds of dollars on a polyester coat because it just won’t keep you warm like wool and it won’t stand the test of time.
I love the look of a tailored coat, especially with a dress. Wrap coats are also a good option, and they help elevate a casual denim look. You can shop my exact trench coat here and my exact wrap coat here. I sized down one size in each coat. I’m wearing a 2 in the trench and an XS in the wrap coat. They both come in other colors – like black – too!
Shoes
Shoes that work with both jeans and work pants are a great option! I would probably try to have two pairs of shoes that you can wear with most everything in your capsule wardrobe. I think shoes really depend on you – is your foot narrow, regular, or wide? Are you short and want to make your legs look longer? You get what I mean. Anyway, ballet flats and loafers look nice with both jeans and work trousers, and you can wear them with dresses or a skirt too. Being on the shorter size, I love almond toe ballet flats. A pair of booties will also help maximize your capsule wardrobe during the colder months. I also love to wear a dress or a skirt (or jeans) with knee high boots. Your shoe selection definitely depends on the weather where you live! You can read about how to wear Chelsea boots to work in my recent blog post here.
Tips On How To Build A Capsule Wardrobe For Work
If you like some of the pieces I shared above but you aren’t sure what you need, here are a few thoughts on how to get started with building a capsule wardrobe for a business casual office.
Step One: Look At Your Wardrobe Gaps and Consider What You Need Versus Like
I always like to think about how something might work in my closet before purchasing it. Lately, I’ve been asking myself a few questions before purchasing something – I love this item, but does that mean it will actually work in my wardrobe? Will I wear it enough to justify purchasing it? Or, do I already have something similar that I’ll end up wearing more anyway? It has helped me avoid buying things that I won’t end up wearing as much as I would want to, even if it’s a piece I love.
This isn’t to say you shouldn’t ever go for those types of wardrobe items – that’s what makes your personal style yours! But, these are helpful questions to ask yourself while you build a capsule wardrobe.
Step Two: Choose Timeless, Quality Pieces
Since a capsule wardrobe is meant to last over time as well as make it easy for you to shop your own closet, it’s good to select quality pieces if possible so you don’t have to buy the same pieces year after year. Some of it is about fabrics – like choosing cotton, wool, or cashmere. I also don’t dry clean my wool and cashmere sweaters after each wear unless I really need to – like after traveling. Or, recently, my baby spit up on me haha.
Step Three: Does It All Work Together?
This is similar to the thought process of step one, but just consider how the pieces you purchase will work together. So, you should be able to rotate a lot of the tops and bottoms with different shoes.
I hope this helps you sort out your work outfits and build a work capsule closet! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions, or if you have any tips from building a capsule wardrobe!
