The Other Kind of Workwear
Though nowhere near as popular a theme on television ads, there is such a thing as back-to-school for grown-ups too — or should be, at least. Call it back-to-office, back-to-campus or what have you, early fall returns to routines are a great excuse to stock up on the forthcoming months' sartorial necessities, and alleviate the pain, à la retail therapy, of another vacation season gone by.
For better or for worse, the climate of late has ushered in a renewed intrigue for corporate attire specifically, and professional-though-no-less-personal strategies of style.
It's about dressing sharply and seriously, without giving into white collar tropes or the uniform fashion cosplay that is to dwell at a co-working space.
In our search for pieces that are just the right amount of edgy so that you don't feel out of place but more like the best dressed amongst your colleagues by the coffee machine, we tended to MR PORTER's vast range of wearable, time-proof luxury brands.
OOTDs, Post-OOO:
Tops
In the interest of keeping things both casual and classy, the upper half of your office look should tick comfort and construction boxes just the same.
Something to layer, and wear a tee or button-down shirt over or under, a blazer atop of is great, and can be rotated and re-combined a million, equally stylish ways.
Our Legacy Checked Flannel Shirt
The Row Wool Sweater
Auralee Striped Shetland Sweater
Pants
A pleated cotton pant is, indeed, one of the most unassumingly versatile items of clothing one can own. There are few products that so easily elevate an outfit as a tailored chino.
Don't let anyone tell you a well-structured pair of tapered jeans can't hit the spot just as hard though.
Umit Benan Carpenter Trousers
Incotex Pleated Trousers
LOEWE Straight-Leg Jeans
Shoes
The ultimate office shoe is, no doubt, the loafer. These days, there's an abundance of iterations of the leather slip-ons to pick from, so no two pairs look the same. Adding a lugged sole to its grainy leather give this particular pair a burly quality, proofing it for the colder, wetter periods ahead.
Elsewhere, minimalist suede sneakers are the common answer to high- and low-ends' endless replication of Samba-like athle-legant footwear.
Mr P. Penny Loafers
Common Projects Driving Lo Profile Suede Sneakers
Bags
A briefcase that isn't actually a briefcase and'll match a most-power-dressy or savvily nonchalant of work 'fits is a must. Go luxe leather or functional performance textile, for your laptop and packed lunch's prime real estate.
Métier Leather Tote Bag
Porter-Yoshida & Co. Messenger Bag
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