Work clothes for women
“What do you actually wear to work?”
30 answers from 28 people · Updated Sep 25, 2026
Aritzia The Effortless Pant™ - Crepette™
Truly the best black basic trousers mine have lasted years!
I’m 5-foot-4 and wear a teal Argent power suit when I want to channel AOC. Their clothes are extremely well-made and priced accordingly. Sometimes pieces make their way to discount chains like TJ Maxx. To get my suit, I played the long game: bought the blazer at Nordstrom Rack, then waited for the NWT pants to hit eBay
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Stretchy, Machine washable suits
Ann Taylor suits that are machine washable. I have this in grey, maroon, and black. The pant hits at the ankle and the sleeves hit at the wrist. I wear like a 10/12 in the jacket and about a 6 in the pant.
Affordable, true to size + comfortable
Idk if these count as professional pants for you, but I have two pairs and wear them all the time for work (with sweaters or button-up shirts to cover the elastic waist) — they fall really nicely, are thick cotton, so comfortable. My favorite is the undyed natural color (pictured)
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these are the comfiest and most reliable pants i own. i have had these for 3 years and they have been my companion on long haul flights, in the office, at the gym, as PAJAMAS… they are so comfy while also looking put-together. holy grail pants
54
As amazing as everyone says. They are stretchy, lightweight, wrinkle-free and don't show sweat. Holy Grail commute pants.
Riviera Slim Pants in Doubleweave
These pants I wear in black or in navy. I have them in size 4 and in size 6 (for a looser fit)
So, I regularly get dressed in the dark for work. I work with kids, and want to be comfortable, playful, but also put together. These adult onesies are secretly pajamas but look so fun! I have never worn one without getting a compliment. When I started my doctoral internship, I bought five and just wore them in a cycle for a full year (I was only on campus 3 days a week, so it worked out to not be too "Mr. Rogers." They are so comfy! The only issue is, of course, peeing, but just do what I do and don't drink water and you'll be fine (kidding? Of course?)
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I own this in white (in two sizes, multiples), blue stripe, pink stripe, regular blue, white oxford, black, cinch sleeve white, cinch sleeve denim, sheer black, sheer taupe… I cannot express how much my life revolves around this shirt.
72
The most flattering, comfortable pants and jeans for a busy teacher mom.
Business & business casual clothing with a large petite section for the big game, small body femmes
2
Magically slimming and lightweight. One and done dressing.
Comfortable, stylish, multi-season wear, dress up or down
best office cardigan ever (shoutout cotton:on employee discount) i have one in brown as well
As I learned from TikTok late last year, there's a style called "Teacher Chic," and it's anchored by Maxi skirts. It makes sense, too -- Mini skirts are too short and cute, are too casual and do not convey authority. Midi skirts still show too much leg/calf and shoes are in full view so they need to be cute (but not sexy, avoid sexy), and they feel too much like a cocktail hour. The Maxi skirt is perfect: dressy enough to be professional but not like a job interview; shows little to no leg; can hide/obscure sensible shoes that aren't cute or sexy but oh-so-comfy; practically pants but also NOT PANTS; and conveys authority because the skirt is looooong. But no skirt slits (too sexy).
my most reached for pair for when you have to dress business, but want to dress causal
2
If your office doesn’t require heels, my vote goes to Lloyd slip-ons. They’re incredibly comfortable and have become my go-to office shoes during the summer. I own them in three different colors. They’re not exactly cheap, but you can often find certain colors on sale. That’s how I ended up building my little collection.
31
wear the big stompy boots to work
yes, I know it’s a heatwave and humidity is at like 100% but my doc martens quad platforms have been my iconic corporate statement since 2019 💅🏼🎉
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Keep a pair of clip on earrings at your desk
Gives you a quick polish for zoom even if you’re not wearing hard pants
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i’ve been using this one since my very first day in court! i literally just this second tested it with a chonky legal size redwell and my industrial size work laptop bag. everything fit and would fit even better if i bit the bullet and bought the system laptop case which is much slimmer and cuter. i got this brown color and i’ll admit i wish i had the black, but still love her! it was certainly cheaper when i got it in 2022, but i think for a work bag it’s not overpriced
62
My go-to work bag. Feels like Bottega, but at a friendlier price point.
10 recs
17 recs
Layers!! Black and white!! Room to breathe!!
A dress and a blazer. Pants with short sleeve shirt and a sweater. No solid colors or fabrics that show sweat… black white and patterns can be your go to. Looser clothing (oversized button down) can give you more room to breathe. Also linking a pair of Old Navy pants I think hit the performance fabric and professional balance well for a nice price.
1
Get dressed from head to toe, every single day
I tried doing the zoom shirt thing briefly (and by briefly I mean literally for one day) during Covid and woke up feeling blue the next day. Getting dressed for me is about signaling to myself that I’m ready ready for work, ready for the world. I do it mostly for the mental health! And to feel like an old French or Italian woman.
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