Chic Workwear Outfits For All-Year Round
It’s easy to fall into the trap of dressing for work in repetitive outfits that fit the dress code and are comfortable. But there’s nothing to say you can’t tick all the boxes needed for workplace dressing while incorporating colour, style and a touch of joy.
One of our signature collections at LK Bennett is our workwear. Known for their timeless style, you can wear them season after season, mixing up the styling for more casual or formal. Ultimately, we do wearable work outfits. More importantly, our workwear brings in print and colour to help make office dressing inspiring once more. For now, and for later in the year.
Understanding Office Dress Codes
With the working world changing drastically over the past few years means the codes of dressing for work has also changed.
Many people spend most of their time working from home, meaning you may want something that is suitable for video calls but a little more relaxed. That may also mean that when you do leave your home to go to work, you want to be a little more adventurous now you don’t do it every day.
Our collection features a lot of wearable pieces to see you through the seasons. It may have been frowned upon to wear a trainer, but find styles at LKB that look smart but are more comfortable and practical than a heel might be.
Autumn Workwear Outfits
Dressing for work in the Autumn can be a balancing act. The transitional period can often bring a very warm September and changeable weather in October - meaning you have to prepare for all seasons of weather in one day. Our suggestion for dealing with this? Layering. Easy layers can mean you can add or takeaway when the weather changes for comfort while still looking chic.
We adore the Sonya Blouse with autumnal hues in a pop art style floral print, paired with a mustard coloured jumper like the Rosalind.
The colours bring a fashionable take on workwear dressing, while still remaining smart and adaptable for the weather. Both styles are relatively thin, with the jumper made from luxury merino which is lightweight but warm when it needs to be.
Winter Workwear Outfits
Winter workwear needs to bring warmth along with style in a way that is chic and not so bulky. Layering continues to be a hard working element of our wardrobe at this time of year, but also rethinking how we style knitwear.
Knitwear can often be overlooked as being not smart or a little bit plain. However, if you bring in bold hues and patterns and layer them over dresses and skirt this can create an easy to wear look that is chic and warming.
In the colder months of winter, pair with tights and over the knee boots to ensure maximum coverage while not compromising on style.
A cardigan like the Molli is a great way to style this, with the elevated embellished buttons adding a luxury edge and a style that is easy to take off to reveal the dress underneath.
Spring Workwear Outfits
Similarly to autumn, spring brings changeable weather which means you need versatile piece to carry you throughout the season.
We love to move to a rich and saturated palette of autumn and winter to paler, pastel hues for spring and summer. Bringing in florals and new shapes and daring to wear dresses once more without boots.
If you want some coverage for those cooler spring mornings, try a style like this Avery jacket for a sartorial take on layering over a dress or blouse.
Crafted in Portugal from beautiful Italian linen-cotton in soft flecked pink, this is a versatile piece that you’ll get plenty of wear out of across the warmer months.
Summer Workwear Outfits
For summer, we move our work wardrobe to those pieces that are crafted from breezy and breathable fabrics. Summer workwear turns to cotton, linen and silks to keep us cool and comfortable while still workwear appropriate.
A hero silhouette to do just this is a shirt dress. The typical collar and button of this style remains smart while the fit and flare design flatters and offers an easy-to-wear cut for those sweltering mid-summer days in the office.
Building a Versatile Workwear Wardrobe
While you do want to have pieces that are key for each season, you also want to have some foundation pieces that you can bring into your workwear looks year round to elevate the style.
Every outfit needs a strong base to build around, those hero pieces to help you style and elevate. Which is where our Foundations Collection comes in - curated and classic. The pieces you always reach to help lay the foundations of any outfit.
A workwear wardrobe needs a basic black trouser or white blouse to pair with newer and bolder pieces you bring in across time. A style like the Evan trousert is a valuable investment piece you will wear time and time again, across all seasons.
Crafted in Europe from a lightweight cotton-blend crepe with a good amount of stretch, these are a high-quality basic that will elevate your workwear styling. They sit on the waist with a side zip fastening for a smooth silhouette.
Styling Tips for Workwear Outfits
When thinking of dressing for work, think of adding in colour and personality to bring your own twist to workwear. Add in a floral or a bright hue and don’t be afraid to accessorise with a bright shoe or statement earring.