The Workwear Capsule Edit (#024)

+ how to maximise the cost-per-wear

Last week on Instagram I posed the question, “What items do you associate with a workwear wardrobe?”. Unsurprisingly, it seems we’re all on the same page. The solid themes I spotted in the responses are all reflected here in the ten item edit I chose for the May capsule. A seasonless workwear edit which feels very well suited for the transitional seasons.

But… rather than the usual format, where I show you ~30 ways to style these pieces together, I wanted to instead place an emphasis on how we can maximise the potential of these items. Basically, how you can deliver on achieving a great cost-per-wear, by choosing the right workwear staples that’ll see you through to the weekend, or even a night out.

Think PDW (a term coined by stylist Dione Davis during her time at Tibi); Play, Dinner, Work.

I’ve never liked the idea of a bifurcated wardrobe. For me, I always wanted to present as myself; not dressing up to play a role based on the stereotypes of what we should be wearing. And in a lot of ways, I was lucky that during my first “serious” job (working for a Member of Parliament), I was able to explore those lines between weekend and work wardrobes. Even if, looking back, some of the pairings were a little questionable!

What that experimentation taught me though, was how to blend details that I love and appreciate, with fabrics and silhouettes that are workwear appropriate. Which elements will read as more refined, and which will feel more casual; blending the two to dial up or dial down the formality to suit the occasion - work, weekend, or night out.

The following ten workwear staples feature in this capsule (as curated by you!):

• Button down shirt

• Knitted cardigan

• Blouse

• Blazer

• Trench coat

• Midi-length skirt

• Tailored trousers

• Heeled pumps

• Loafers

• Tote or bag large enough for a laptop

If you did also want to see how these items work in tandem, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Apologies in advance that many of these pieces are in the millennial minimalist colour palette of black and white, but I thought a great jumping off point as often that’s your first stop when starting to build a workwear wardrobe.

I opted not to do a specific three outfit story for the bag, as you’ll spy it in 2/3 of the 27 looks - but hopefully, this still gives you plenty of inspiration and ideas on how you can get the most out of your wardrobe.

And one last word before we get into the capsule… If you have enjoyed receiving my letters and want to support my work, you might like to consider upgrading to paid to get access to the full archive plus all addendums; the monthly plan works out to $1.25 per week (less than the price of a coffee!). If you’re just here for the monthly capsules, they will always be accessible for all subscribers. You can review your subscription options via the button below.

the ten items

1 | The Button Down Shirt: You’ll find that you have the easiest time of re-styling a shirt that has a relaxed feel. The key here is that you want a sense of ease baked into the piece, something you’ll note to be a bit of a running theme throughout all of my suggestions. I don’t think it matters much whether you opt for silk, cotton or linen, beyond how those fabrics interact with the other items in your workwear wardrobe to meet your office dress code. Silk always reads as more refined and elegant due to the sheen and slinky drape. Where as cotton is a solid all-rounder; professional and smart. Enduring. I went with silk, largely as that was my preference when I worked corporate. I loved the friction of pairing a silk blouse with a pair of jeans on the weekend. Pictured: LILYSILK
Alternatives: Assembly Label | COS | UNIQLO

2 | A Knitted Cardigan: This is the unsung hero of any versatile wardrobe. I personally think it’s best to avoid anything too delicate or precious, and go for a slightly relaxed fit, though you could make something shrunken and fitted (like this s/s cardigan) work too, depending on the colour. A little more length through the body will give you options for styling both for work, and for play. Classic cashmere being a no brainer while a neutral tone will give you maximum flexibility. Pictured: Quince
Alternatives: Country Road | Everlane | Aligne | Sportscraft

3 | A Beautiful Blouse: Not to be confused with the very first workwear staple, what makes a blouse more than just a shirt is the detail. A gathered sleeve, a softly draped neckline, maybe a subtle print or an unexpected fastening. It’s the kind of piece that adds a little something extra to your workwear look. Maybe it has buttons, but maybe it doesn’t. Again, think about what you’re saying with the fabric. You could have a truly simple design, but the tactile quality of the piece is what lifts it and makes it special (for work, weekend or beyond). I have very few blouses in my current wardrobe as they’re not a workhorse piece for me, so some imagination may be required here to see the full capability of such a piece in your closet beyond just a workwear staple. I opted for a minimal style in a thick luxurious silk. Pictured: LILYSILK
Alternatives: Vince | Sezane | Arket

4 | A Classic Blazer: While I don’t think every workwear wardrobe needs a blazer, it’s a classic staple that is usually one of the first things people think of when asked what to wear to the office. For this capsule, I leaned into a slightly oversized, softly structured style. Nothing too stiff or boxy, but a blazer with enough presence to instantly smarten up a look. A bit more length through the body does wonders here. Pictured: Everlane
Alternatives: ELKA Collective | Aje Studio | Open Edit

5 | A Trench Coat: Don’t be afraid to veer away from classic beige. Personally, I’m quite drawn to khaki. A belted trench that hits above the knee will read as quite traditional. Safe - yes, but can be an awkward hemline to work with, particularly when dialling things up for night. If you want to lean into the current fashion zeitgeist, a “Mac”-style trench is a great option, These tend to have a loose fit, a-line silhouette without a belt, and a classic pointed collar rather than the larger lapels of a traditional trench. Or, go a little more relaxed fit-wise, with length through the body. Here, opting for fabric that has a bit more structure (for a strong, confident feel) or one that has a fluidity to it (for a feminine sensibility). Either is a solid choice, depending on your personal style. For this capsule, I went somewhere in the middle. A chic Mac coat in khaki green, that hits at the knee. Pictured: Sportscraft
Alternatives: The Frankie Shop | Sezane | Reiss

6 | A Midi-Length Skirt: If we are talking super traditional, perhaps the image that’s popped into your mind of a midi length skirt is something with pleats, or a pencil cut, hugging the figure. Considering the goal of maximising CPW, a pencil skirt would probably be one of my last choices, unless it was in a dark colour, and a jersey fabrication. Anything with a fullness to the skirt will come across as quite feminine and ladylike, which can be tempered against a chill jacket or the “wrong” shoe. Otherwise go clean and minimal, with a trouser skirt (my pick). Easily relaxed with a slouchy knit, or dialled up with a fancy top & shoes. Pictured: Goelia
Alternatives: COS | Tibi | Reformation

7 | Tailored Trousers: Quite possibly the most versatile of all wardrobe staples? The humble black trouser. Yes, sure, you could choose a different colour, but these are chic, classic, elegant and chill, all rolled into one. Essentially a style chameleon. No emphasis on the cut here, but instead the fabrication. Think crepe, something with structure, or fluidity that has some heft to it. Avoid crinkly linen pants (crisp linen is great!), or too soft jersey. Pictured: Facade Pattern
Alternatives: Quince | DISSH | Forcast

8 | Heeled Pumps: Of course they were always going to be with a pointed toe. Stilettos don’t seem to quite have the same chokehold over corporate that they once did, and personally, I think you can get away with a lower heel because the sharp toe more than makes up for it. Shoes are pretty personal, but I find these heels to be incredibly comfortable. Enough that I’d happily wear them on my “off” days. But equally, feel polished and chic styling them with something more dressy. The key here is in that pointed toe. It elongates and gives the signal that it’s more of a “formal” shoe choice. Again, finding that balance with styling is the key to dressing it down. Pictured: Aeyde
Alternatives: MANGO | Everlane | Naturalizer

9 | Loafers: If you’re not a fan of heels, loafers serve as a polished, no-fuss alternative to heels. Off-duty, it brings just the right touch of structure to more relaxed outfits, the key is to find a pair that feels balanced. Not too fashion forward (particularly if your dress code is strict), too chunky, or overly delicate. One thing I will say about a loafer? They look best when worn with a cropped trouser, or almost maxi length skirt. Because the detailing across the foot combined with the higher vamp tends to command attention worth showing off. Naturally, I opted for black, as for shoes this will often play as a safe bet, plus, darker colour palettes can easily transform from casual to polished in a flash. Pictured: Scarosso
Alternatives: Tony Bianco | Arket | ALLY Shoes

10 | Tote or bag large enough for a laptop: My very first tote bag for work was from Cuyana. I chose a classic colour, but opted for a leather that was soft and had movement, so it easily blended in with my weekend wardrobe. Honestly, it’s a bit of a no-brainer, but for something a little different (and more chill), I’ve gone with the less obvious choice. A shoulder style bucket bag. Mine is arguably a bit too casual for a very formal office, but for most, I’d say this would be fine. If I wanted to level up the formality, I’d go for something with a bit more rigidity to the leather (classic black never misses & always manages to look elevated). The goal here is to buy a bag that you want to wear all time. Not just to the office. Pictured: Madewell
Alternatives: St Agni | Cuyana | Oroton

the outfits

You can watch this capsule in motion above - sharing side by sides of how we can modify the styling to create looks that work for the office, for the weekend, or for a night out/special occasion.

1 | The Button Down Shirt: Worn with classic tailoring and a pump for the office. Styled with more organic textures for the weekend (think robust elements like denim, cosy knits, and soft linens. Or styled for a night out, with a fancy skirt and heels, wrapping the shirt across the body to create a waist effect with a slight off shoulder moment.

Outfit 1: LILYSILK blouse, Goelia skirt, Aeyde heels, Madewell tote
Outfit 2: LILYSILK blouse, Henne jeans, Sezane cardigan, Shelly Shen shoes, Madewell tote
OUTFIT 3: LILYSILK blouse, By Malene Birger skirt, Aeyde heels, RSVP Paris bag

2 | A Knitted Cardigan: Almost fully buttoned and tucked into trousers, with a belt at the waist creates a refined feeling look for the office. Or, we could style it loose, bottom buttons undone over jeans for a bit more ease. For a night out, you could go super low on the buttons and style with a chic bralette underneath, or consider wearing it back-to-front with most of the buttons undone, to reveal a bit of skin.

Outfit 1: Quince cardigan, Facade Pattern pants, Andersons belt, Scarosso loafers, Madewell tote
Outfit 2: Quince cardigan, Meshki jeans, Sezane flats, Sezane trench, Madewell tote
Outfit 3: Quince cardigan, Willow skirt (old but love this), Tony Bianco heels, RSVP Paris bag

3 | A Beautiful Blouse: You’ll have to forgive that I somehow managed to skip taking a snap of the workwear look with this blouse, but I think the luxe element is amplified when styled with structured suiting. For a night out, go for a matching set and a sequin shoe - comfortable yet effortlessly chic. Or, for the weekend, worn loose over shorts or straight leg pants with a fashion forward shoe.

Outfit 1: LILYSILK blouse, LILYSILK pants, Givenchy heels (old but love these), RSVP Paris bag
Outfit 2: LILYSILK blouse, Assembly Label shorts, Senso flats, Madewell tote

4 | A Classic Blazer: It doesn’t get more classic for the office than wearing a blazer with a “matching” trouser. Personally, I don’t think that these need to be in the exact same fabrication; just close enough in colour to create harmony. For the weekend, worn with a tee and denim is a great way to dial down the formality. And for a night out? Wear the blazer like a top, belted at the waist with something fancy below.

Outfit 1: LILYSILK shirt, Facade Pattern trousers, Everlane blazer, Aeyde heels, Madewell tote
Outfit 2: Lingua Franca striped top (15% off with JAMIE15), Sportscraft jeans, Everlane blazer, Shelly Shen shoes, Madewell tote
Outfit 3: Everlane blazer, Leather rope belt, By Malene Birger skirt, Givenchy heels (old but love these), RSVP Paris bag

5 | A Trench Coat: The workwear look needs little explanation - throw it on over any of your tailored outfits. It’s nailing the right style for you that’s the key detail here. For the weekend, think slouchy knits and denim, styled with a chic shoe for a look that is both easy but still has some polish. For a night out, we can play around with proportions and length; I personally love how a long trench looks with a mini length dress or skirt.

Outfit 1: LILYSILK shirt, Goelia skirt, Sportscraft trench, Aeyde heels, Madewell tote
Outfit 2: Stellam sweater (10% off with JAMIE10), Toteme jeans, Sportscraft trench, Aeyde heels, Madewell tote
Outfit 3: Karen Walker dress (old but quite like this), Sportscraft trench, Tony Bianco heels, RSVP Paris bag

6 | A Midi-Length Skirt: You can create some contrasts in your workwear looks by styling more structured pieces back with those that have more of a softness to them. For the weekend, a slouchy knit worn loose (not tucked) to emphasis that it’s a chill look, and we could opt for a quirky fashion forward shoe here too if you want to look a bit effortful. Or for night, a strapless top and glitzy heels are a no brainer.

Outfit 1: Quince cardigan, Goelia skirt, Aeyde heels, Madewell tote
Outfit 2: Stellam sweater (10% off with JAMIE10), Goelia skirt, Senso shoes, Madewell tote
Outfit 3: DISSH strapless top, Goelia skirt, Givenchy heels (old but love these), RSVP Paris bag

7 | Tailored Trousers: I said it before, but the style chameleon! Literally can’t go wrong pairing these with any top + a low heel for work (or a loafer, if that’s more your speed). For the weekend, dial it down with a slouchy sweater and a chic flat. Or a night out? A special top and some chic heels.

Outfit 1: LILYSILK shirt, Facade Pattern trousers, Andersons belt, Aeyde heels, Madewell tote
Outfit 2: The Row sweater (more affordable), Facade Pattern trousers, Swedish Stockings sheer socks (25% off with JAMIE25), Scarosso loafers, Madewell tote
Outfit 3: Shona Joy top, Facade Pattern trousers, Jil Sander heels, RSVP Paris bag

8 | Heeled Pumps: Shoes have a bit of a transformative power - sharp toed heels will always instantly lift, which is why they’re a solid choice to pair with any workwear look. For the weekend, thinking how we can dial it down; slim jeans and a super oversized knit worn loose are a good choice. And a night out? Styled with a chic mini dress for maximum impact.

Outfit 1: Quince cardigan, Facade Pattern trousers, Aeyde heels, Madewell tote
Outfit 2: The Row sweater (more affordable), Sportscraft jeans, Aeyde heels, Madewell tote
Outfit 3: ANNA QUAN dress (also here), Aeyde heels, RSVP Paris bag

9 | Loafers: These have a bit of baked in masculinity, so I like the idea of going against the grain and styling them with a chic trouser skirt (and a fun sheer stocking sock!) for the office to create that good friction. For the weekend, with a jean and relaxed jacket. A cute night out look would style them with sheer spotted tights and a little mini + a red lip, but instead I went with a more subtle option just hinting at the shoes because the backless top is a mo-ment.

Outfit 1: Quince cardigan, Goelia skirt, Andersons belt, Everlane blazer, Swedish Stockings sheer socks (25% off with JAMIE25), Scarosso loafers, Madewell tote
Outfit 2: Doen jacket (also here), Toteme jeans, Scarosso loafers, Madewell tote
Outfit 3: Henne top, Sportscraft trousers, Scarosso loafers, RSVP Paris bag