Finding stylish and comfortable work outfits in the fall can be a challenge for many people in the workforce. Whether you’re working in a salon or at a corporate office, you want to show off your style while remaining professional and keeping comfort in mind. If fashion is your middle name, you’re in the right place!
In this article, we will discuss how to dress for work in the fall, provide fall work outfit inspiration, and share styling tips for those in the office this season. Read on for fall outfit essentials, tips on how to layer for work, dressing for casual Fridays, and more.
Fall Workwear Essentials
So, what key workwear essentials should you have in your closet for autumn? Fall workwear is all about wearing flattering, modest yet stylish outfits. And don’t forget to add your own flair to your business casual outfits.
Building a versatile capsule wardrobe for fall is a fantastic foundation for office outfits. To build a work capsule wardrobe, we recommend following these tips:
What key pieces should you make sure to have in your fall work wardrobe? Several essential items are perfect for styling business casual outfits all season long. These include:
So now we’ve discussed essential pieces for your wardrobe, but what about fabrics? The importance of fabric choices for fall cannot be overstated. There are a handful of fabrics that are particularly advantageous in fall, including:
Office Chic: Polished Looks for the Workplace
If you’re looking for chic outfit ideas for professional work environments, you're in luck. We’ll share a handful of fall work outfit ideas, as well as tips on colors and patterns and using accessories to polish off your look.
Outfit Inspiration 1: For a more feminine fall work outfit, pair a patterned maxi skirt with a chunky knit sweater and ballet flats. Add dainty jewelry and an arm bag to spice up the look and showcase your personal style. If it’s cold enough, you may consider adding a trench coat to finish the outfit.
Outfit Inspiration 2: For a timeless professional outfit, choose pleated trousers and add a button-down top with a silk scarf. Add a cozy cardigan that fits your preferences for a mid-layer. Finish the look with a fun belt and loafers.
Outfit Inspiration 3: If you want a work outfit that can work for both a professional setting and an after-work happy hour, consider a textured knit dress that you can cinch at the waist with a belt. Add a leather jacket, some gold jewelry, and ankle boots. This versatile outfit is both functional for the workday and cute for a night on the town. Additionally, you can swap out your ankle boots for knee-high ones after work to add some flair.
Color palettes suitable for the office include darker colors like black, brown, gray, eggplant, maroon, navy, etc., and lighter colors like white, cream, tan, mauve, sage green, etc. Patterns like plaid, houndstooth, leopard print, and stripes are popular options for work outfits in autumn.
Accessorizing fall outfits is an art. Finding just the right pieces to help elevate your outfit isn’t always easy, but it’s worth the effort. Accessories are great for creating varied looks with a capsule wardrobe.
Casual Friday Style: Dressing Down with Flair
Your company may offer a casual Friday policy, allowing you to dress a bit less formally once a week. What are you supposed to wear for these days? We’ll share a couple of fall outfit ideas that are ideal for casual Fridays.
Outfit Inspiration 1: Start with a nice pair of boot-cut jeans and a cozy knit sweater. Add some booties, an oversized blazer, and statement earrings.
Outfit Inspiration 2: Wide-leg jeans and a plain white tee are another option. Add a cashmere cardigan on top, a patterned scarf, and an understated belt. Pair the outfit with loafers or suede booties and a handbag.
Balancing style and comfort for casual Friday can be tricky at times, but not to worry, here are some tips to help:
- Choose relaxed styles with a flattering fit.
- Wear breathable fabrics like cotton to stay comfortable throughout the day.
- Play around with fun accessories to spice up your outfits.
- Prioritize comfortable footwear such as loafers, mules, clean sneakers, or booties
Layering for Cooler Days
Fall layering is an important part of the overall season’s aesthetic. It is both functional for colder weather and extremely stylish. Layers add visual interest and texture to your fall work outfits.
If you want to layer your outfits, we recommend transitional pieces such as vests, cardigans, jackets, and blazers. These are ideal layering pieces on top of sweaters, blouses, dresses, etc.
Layer like a pro by mixing textures and playing with three layers: base, mid-layer, and outer layer. Tights are a cozy secret weapon for extra warmth.
Fall Accessories: The Finishing Touches
You can’t forget about accessories! Accessories such as scarves, hats, belts, jewelry, and bags have a significant impact on work outfits. Elevate your fall work attire with specially chosen accessories.
Some of the best fall accessories include gloves, wool socks, shawls, silk scarves, and leather belts. When purchasing accessories, choose versatile pieces that can go with a wide range of office wear styles.
Accessories are a fantastic way to display your style at work while remaining professional.
Dress for Success with Porterist
Fall work outfits don’t have to be as simple as a white button-down and wide-leg trousers. With a bit of creativity, you can design stylish yet comfortable outfits that meet your work’s dress code requirements.
Porterist offers a wide selection of high-quality, work-appropriate, and highly fashionable pieces. Build your capsule wardrobe of work attire with Porterist’s fall collection!