How to dress in the modern office

Our grandfathers didn’t have much trouble deciding what to wear to the office every morning: dark suit, white shirt, tie. The dress code situation nowadays is much more complicated and we find that a lot of people struggle to figure it out. Balancing factors like office culture, remote vs. in-person work, company brand image, client expectations, and personal style can be tricky. The Mathias Custom team can help you build a wardrobe that fits the professional image you want to project to clients and colleagues. Here are some of our suggestions for workday staples that enhance your personal style instead of turning you into a corporate drone.

Sport coats / Blazers

Everyone should have a few sport coats in their rotation, which is a casual jacket that doesn’t have a pair of matching trousers. It often has more pattern, texture, or something to distinguish itself from a standard suit. This is one of the most flexible items in your closet, pairing well with a shirt and tie for elevated looks, denim and a t-shirt for a post-work happy hour, or a business casual polo and chino combo. 

Sport coats offer a vast range of styling options, making it easy to pick something that reflects your individual taste. Patterns, textures, and colors that might be overwhelming as a full suit look great as jackets paired with a solid trouser or denim. Don’t be afraid of seasonal fabrics–linen blends in the summer, flannels and tweeds in the winter–to create distinctive outfits throughout the year that ensure comfort. Women’s blazers look great in vibrant colors or bolder patterns that men often shy away from.

We recommend building a foundation of timeless pieces before adding anything too flashy, regardless of the job. Wearing the same navy jacket twice a week will go unnoticed, but a red plaid worn that often will quickly brand you as the “red jacket person.” If you’re only going to start with one, versatility is key. We suggest mid-to-dark blue with a subtle texture or pattern for maximum styling potential. In industries that tend to still dress more conservatively, classic colors like blues, browns, and greys, will always work. For those who have more leeway, explore variations of green, tan, purple, checks, herringbone, and more. For professionals that want to stand out (think realtors or salespeople), almost anything goes. 

Suits

Even with Seattle’s reputation as a casually dressed tech hub, there are still plenty of people wearing suits on a daily basis. 

In the most conservative offices, shades of navy and grey are still the best bet. That doesn’t mean all your suits have to look the same, though. Switch up details like lapels and pockets, and add some double breasted jackets. Classic patterns like pinstripes or subtle checks can also add character without going overboard. Women can get more mileage out of each jacket by ordering both matching trousers and a skirt.

Looking beyond the basics, there are an incredible number of suit options that allow for a balance of individuality and professionalism. Blue or grey suits will always be popular, but the whole rainbow of colors are available to you. Picking fabric with a pattern and texture allows you to split the pieces and wear the jacket as a sport coat, cleverly boosting your outfit options without spending extra money. Less formal suit styles also offer a wider range of styling options, from a shirt and tie to a polo or sweater.

Still not sure what, exactly, you ought to be wearing to work? Honestly, there isn’t a single right answer; the goal is to fill your closet with clothing that fits well, that you feel great wearing, and that can be mixed and matched to keep your style from feeling stale or repetitive. There are many, many ways to accomplish that and we’d love to help figure out what’s best for you. We offer a discounted Office Package that creates a customized Monday-through-Friday rotation and takes the guesswork out of getting ready each day. Book a consultation and we’ll talk you through the possibilities.