Casual office capsule wardrobe: 30 outfits.
These 30 outfit ideas for the casual office style will show you how to shop your own closet and create great outfits in no time. It's a casual office style guide that can be easily replicated to have you looking professional and relaxed at the same time.
Today I’m starting a new series about creating a sustainable wardrobe for work. We’ll discuss different business dress codes and what kind of outfits suit them.
This time we'll talk about reaching the balance between comfortable and professional when you have a casual dress code at work.
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The Casual Office Dress Code: 30 outfit ideas
The Basics of The Casual Dress Code
This particular time we'll talk about reaching the balance between comfortable and professional when you have to follow a casual dress code at work. I'm going to cover what to wear to work, casual fabrics, the basics of a professional dress code, and more.
And yes, you can wear jeans in a casual office dress code. What I'll show you is casual wear that will elevate your style in the workplace.
Creating interchangeable outfits while shopping will maximise your wardrobe’s potential. Wonder Wardrobe Online Course will teach you how to do that and more.
You will learn how to create a visual outfit guide with new outfits to make sure everything is cohesive and interchangeable.
Zoom Calls Fashion Tips: Mastering Virtual Style
This guide will help you navigate various Zoom call scenarios, from formal business meetings to casual check-ins, ensuring you're always impeccably dressed for the camera.
The difference between Casual and Business Casual Attire
A casual dress code is one where anything goes really, including jeans and sneakers, but no flip-flops. This dress code usually means you’ll feel out of place in anything too formal. But as we are discussing dress codes in the workplace, you also need to look professional and presentable in front of your boss, colleagues, and clients.
To achieve this balance between comfortable and professional you should pay attention to the casual office outfits you create for this office dress code.
Follow the tips included in this casual lookbook and you’ll be able to get office outfits that are appropriate in styling, functionality, accessories, and more. I will address details such as casual shoes, dress shoes, dress shirts, types of casual pants and dress pants if you should go for a collared shirt, and more.
Unlike the business casual dress, this office style doesn't force you to wear a collared shirt, a button-down shirt, or dark wash colors.
You don't have to avoid casual shoes as well.
Styling tips for the Casual Dress Code
If you have a casual dress code at work, it means your wardrobe can fit your personal style, but it should also include some business style elements.
What can those business elements be?
Think anything formal: cotton shirts, silk blouses, pencil skirts, tailored pants, black pumps, jackets. You don’t have to go with these boring examples, you can always go for more fun & relaxed style, or go for complementary colors while still keeping your work outfits business-looking.
Styling outfits for the workplace also depends a lot on what kind of work you are doing.
If you work in a creative environment, then maybe you should reflect that in your outfits. Maybe try some unexpected colours and interesting designs.
If you work in a more conservative office, then maybe try to include in your capsule some classic and timeless pieces that have a modern touch.
Work is not a place to wear extravagant clothes, neon colours or miniskirts, leave them for your free time.
Your office outfits should tell how serious, dedicated and organized you’re at your workplace.
And of course, you can also express yourself through colours. Don’t be afraid to wear bright colours in your workplace. When it’s done tastefully it can even help you.
For example, If you need to present your ideas or be in front of the audience from time to time, bright colours will help concentrate the audience’s attention on you.
Combinations of black, grey and navy with white, baby blue and light pink may look very fresh and slightly more formal - perfect for Mondays or important meetings.
Functional Clothes for the Casual Dress Code
When putting together your capsule wardrobe for work, you need to remember functionality. You should have outfits for any situation you might have at work. Think about what you do at work, and it will tell you a lot about what kind of outfits you need.
For example, if you travel a lot for work, then your outfits shouldn’t crease too much and be more practical, so pay attention to the fabrics you choose.
If most of the time you’re sitting at a desk, you should include bottoms that don’t put too much pressure on your abdomen. High-waisted jeans might not be a very good idea in this case.
If it’s chilly in the office, you might need to include some blazers and cardigans that fit most of your outfits.
If your work requires a lot of movement or maybe even standing up, you need outfits that go very well with flat shoes.
Casual Dress Code Capsule Wardrobe Example
The capsule wardrobe example I’ve created is for summer and the beginning of autumn.
It offers 30 different outfit possibilities by using only 5 tops, 5 bottoms, and 3 dresses. I will also add 2 jackets, 2 pairs of shoes and a bag.
As for the style, it is a mix of a creative style with business elements and a minimalist aesthetic.
Capsule Wardrobe Color Palette
This palette will fit very well with anyone who fits under the spring and autumn color type.
As you can see all the colours are warm and slightly muted. I chose this bright orange as an accent color. I love how different it looks with other colours: fresh with baby blue, deeper with medium blue and so casual when mixed with beige.
Capsule overview
This capsule includes 5 tops, 5 bottoms, 2 jackets, 2 dresses, a jumpsuit, a bag, 2 pairs of shoes.
Fashion Style: Creative with business elements and minimalist aesthetic.
Colour type: Spring or Autumn.
Body shape: Rectangular, Inverted Triangle.
Method: Wonder Wardrobe
Statement pieces for the Casual Dress Code
As I have orange as the accent colour, I’ll try to find some cool orange pieces first. I’ll start with pants.
These burnt orange pants are great for the casual dress code because they have this classic shape while the fun color makes them look less formal. They will also visually accentuate the waistline and elongate the legs.
Diane Von Furstenberg is always a great destination for elegant business clothes.
T-shirts for the Casual Dress Code
I also wanted to check out a shop I found recently. It’s called Good Day Club, and they sell t-shirts with beautiful art prints. All their t-shirts are made out of combed cotton, which is much stronger and softer than regular cotton. This one fits my colour palette and will give an artistic note to the capsule.
As you can see I have plenty of diverse casual dress code looks here.
Some are a little bit more formal as they are meant to be worn to important business meetings.
Some outfits are less formal and are perfect for everyday office life, internal meetings, and presentations.
The rest are casual and more practical, suitable for both busy and uneventful days.
Shoes for the Casual Dress Code
The shoes you pick for your casual dress code outfits have to be versatile enough to fit in style with everything. I have here two pairs that go well with all outfit combinations.
If I don’t want to wear high heels, I can always choose to wear flats. No big deal.
Party outfits for the Casual Dress Code
I also chose this jumpsuit on purpose, so I can make different outfits with it. And actually this jumpsuit can be easily transformed into a perfect office party outfit.
Just add some bright pumps and a clutch. The same actually goes with this dress.
You can style it a little bit more formal or casual or if you add a fancier pair of shoes and a smaller bag you’ll be ready to party.
That’s what I mean by functionality. It’s very important.
Most of people are only concentrating on finding beautiful pieces, without thinking about what kind of outfits can be made with them, where can you wear them, or for what situations.
Jackets for the Casual Dress Code
I also have 2 jackets that are interchangeable. That means they fit all outfits.
I strategically chose different styles for more functionality. If I feel like I want to look more put together I’ll choose a navy jacket. If I can look more relaxed I’ll wear this casual bomber.
Your wardrobe should reflect not only your fashion sense, but also fit your lifestyle.
When you reach this balance between beauty, wearability and functionality, I promise you’ll end up with a personal wardrobe that you’ll love and that’s always ready to wear.
