How to Build a Work Wardrobe from Scratch

As someone who has worked all ends of the spectrum; from check-out girl in my early teens, to the office job I have now, one thing that has always been instilled in me is the importance of having a great work wardrobe to pull from, to ensure that you look smart, professional, and confident.

I’ve always been of the mind that a work wardrobe should carefully tow the line between your own personal style, and any dress codes you have at your work. I’ll admit, I didn’t always get it right (wearing platform sandals on a daily basis in a corporate setting doesn’t quite cut it…), but after years of trial and error, I’ve finally found my sweet spot.

Building a work wardrobe takes time; it doesn’t come together overnight, but I’ve found that there are twelve key pieces which when combined, make up the perfect work wardrobe, regardless of whether you work in a corporate or creative setting.

THE BLAZER
Regardless of whether your office leans more corporate or creative, a classic blazer is an absolute must. This is a piece that will make even the simplest of outfits look smart, and it’s good to have on hand should any meetings with external clients or contacts pop up. If you can, this is definitely where I’d splurge a little; a good blazer will take you a long way – my Helmut Lang one is still going strong after a solid five years of wear. If your budget doesn’t stretch that far, Topshop blazers are well cut and a great affordable option.

THE BLOUSE
A blouse, be it silk, cotton, or any other kind of button up, is a great essential to have in your closet generally as it’s one of those staples which can really do double duty. White is typically your best option if you’re only going for one (it is called a classic for a reason), but blush and black are also great additions to have in your wardrobe. Everlane make a great silk blouse which wears well even after a few cycles in the washing machine, alternatively if you’re looking for something a little fancier, go with Equipment.

THE PENCIL SKIRT
When I had my first admin job at 17, a pencil skirt was at the top of my list of workwear essentials. I’m firmly of the belief that there is a pencil skirt out there for everyone – for the record, I have a narrow waist but very wide hips – it’s just a matter of stumbling across the right one. Anything in a ponte or stretch fabric is great if you’re worried about fit.

THE SLIM FIT TROUSER
Like the pencil skirt, this is probably one of the few pieces up for debate – not everyone likes wearing a pair of trousers. It took me a few years (and quite a few pairs!) but I finally stumbled across my holy grail trousers at Forever New. They’re comfortable, machine washable, and also make for a great weekend piece too.

THE FITTED SWEATER
I focus a lot on finding wardrobe additions that will do double duty; I want something that I can wear to the office, but also rock on the weekend, albeit more casually. Sweaters do that for me in a big way, and when worn with a statement necklace, are anything but boring.

A PAIR OF HEELS
‘nuff said, right? I keep a pair of heels stashed under my desk so that I can slip them on once I get to the office – they instantly elevate any outfit, and I find that they just look sharp.

THE SILK TANK
During the summertime, a silk tank is e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. Temps in Sydney skyrocket to just shy of 40 degrees celcius, and combined with the humidity, anything without sleeves is a godsend. What I love about a silk tank is that it is so effortless – whether it’s tucked in or worn loose – and you can either dress it up with a blazer, or keep it casual with a lightweight knit cardigan.

THE SHEATH DRESS
I’ll admit, a close fitting dress isn’t usually one of the first things that I would generally reach for, but I love how classic, sleek, and put together a sheath dress will instantly make you look; with, or without heels. Tip: opt for something in a stretchy fabric – you want to be comfortable while you’re working!

THE BALLET FLAT OR LOAFER
Let’s be real, a pair of heels isn’t going to cut it everyday. Sometimes you just need to give your feet a well deserved rest, and I find that a cute pair of ballet flats, or a masculine loafer is the best way to look sharp on those days when you aren’t reaching for a pair of heels. Personally, I prefer a ballet flat – it’s flattering and elongates the leg – and my go to brand is Porselli, hands down.

THE OVERSIZED TOTE BAG
This one is pretty self explanatory, but I find that a large tote is much more appropriate for day to day in the office than a mini bag (even if the mini bag is the cuter option). Regardless of whether you’ll be taking your laptop home at the end of the day for a bit more screen time or not, I’ve found my tote bags have been indispensable over the years. Depending on the size, you can fit a home made lunch in there, gym gear, your heels for the day, a scarf… the list goes on. My Cuyana tote has been serving me well the past few years and it makes a great option for a more casual setting; if you’re in a corporate office and are looking for a bag you can invest in, the Prada saffiano lux tote definitely ticks all the boxes, and it comes in a few different sizes to boot.

THE DRESSED UP TEE
This one might seem a little out of place, but it’s a personal favourite of mine to wear with pencil skirts or my slim fitting trousers. My Karen Walker frill tee definitely gets a lot of wear time; the ruffles are such a playful element (this ASOS version is a great dupe!), though if you’re into something a little more conservation (read: wearable) a languid silk tee is incredibly versatile and works well with a pair of jeans for the weekend.

THE COAT
While this is definitely more of a seasonal piece, a well made coat is a must for your work wardrobe; it’s the first thing that people will see you in when you step foot into the office, and tops off your whole look. Anything fairly neutral is going to be your best bet, so think black, navy, camel and grey, or if you’re wanting to spice things up a little, a blush pink is also a lovely option.

I’ve found that regardless of setting, these pieces epitomise the backbone of any work wardrobe, and their sheer simplicity allows you to effortlessly intertwine your own personal style into the mix. In the coming months, I’ll be sharing on my YouTube channel how I would wear these pieces in both creative and corporate settings, so make sure you keep an eye out. I’d love to know what your work wardrobe essentials are!