The Best Business Casual Outfit Ideas for Back to Work

Last updated on October 27th, 2021 at 10:14 pm

Like going back to school in the fall, going back to the office is a great time to rethink your sense of style. And how you want to present yourself. I’ve put together some of my favorite business casual outfit ideas, so you can go back to work feeling like the best version of yourself.

My style has started to shift away from a lot of different patterns (except for stripes). And more toward basics, neutrals and a lot of jewelry. I also like to buy clothes that I can get a lot of uses out of.

My office is relatively relaxed, but I refrain from being too relaxed – like wearing leggings, ripped jeans, flip-flops and tank tops. When visiting clients, I will

You should dress for the job you want, but if the pandemic has shown us anything, it’s your work ethic matters even more.

When I was still going into the office everyday, I made it a point on Sundays to pick out my outfits for the coming week. It saved a lot of time staring at my closet and thinking I had nothing to wear.

Another thing I look for when buying clothes is the versatility. I want to be able to wear my clothes in a lot of different ways, and create multiple looks. I’ve bought plenty of specific “outfits” before, and it’s frustrating to me when I can only wear that outfit every couple of weeks/months.

Business Casual Tops

Body Contour Crew Neck Tee

Striped V-Neck Tee

Twill Boyfriend Blazer

The Drop Puff Sleeve Top

Ann Taylor Perfect Shirt

Ann Taylor Sweater Tee

You can buy work tops pretty much everywhere, and you can style almost any top for work too!

Starting with some basics gives you a lot to work with and build from to create a lot of different looks.

Business Casual Jeans and Dress Pants

Express Black Slim Jeans

Step Hem Mom Jeans

High-Waisted Ankle Pant

Super Soft Twill Ankle Pant

Highest Rise Skinny Jeans

I like to have a mix of business casual jeans and black work pants. Jeans are typically for when I’m in the office, and black work pants are for when meeting with clients.

I keep my pants at ankle-length so they look good with heels and flats, and I don’t need to worry about hemming them based on my shoes.

Spring, Summer and Fall I’ll gravitate toward straight leg styles. And in the Winter I’ll wear skinny leg pants that fit better with boots.

Business Casual Shoes

Nine West Pointy Toe Pumps

Nine West Astoria Pumps

These Nine West pumps are from their new 9X9 line, which were designed to be more comfortable for work and everyday wear. A basic pair of black and nude pumps will go with literally any outfit!

Steve Madden Kandi Mule

For days I don’t want to wear heels, I love wearing these mules. They look similar to the Gucci version, but for way, way, way cheaper. Super cute with ankle-length dress pants, or even jeans!

Accessories

Bags

The North Face Daypack

I’ve gone through a bit of trial and error to get to my ideal work bag situation. I’ve always been a bag lady, it’s just a matter of how many bags I’ll have at any given time.

When I was visiting clients, I needed to carry a lot of things with me – computer (basically a brick), charger, mouse, notebooks, pens, snacks, water bottle, the list goes on and on.

I realized I couldn’t just carry a tote bag as my purse and for all my work things, because it would destroy my shoulders.

I also couldn’t use just a backpack as a purse, because sometimes we’d go out for lunch and needed a way to carry all of my personal things, wallet, phone, keys, etc.

So what I landed on was a laptop backpack, like this one from the North Face, and a crossbody purse. Throw in a lunch bag too when I’m going into the office

Jewelry

Ana Luisa Suzanne Earrings

Ana Luisa Mini Huggie Hoops

I’ve recently become obsessed with little huggie hoop earrings and having (or looking like you have) a bunch of ear piercings. I got a couple new ear piercings, and have been thinking about what else I could get done!

These earrings from Ana Luisa are so cute, and I love the look of wearing them in both of the holes in my earlobes.

Stella & Dot Short Delicate Chain Necklace

Uncommon James Charm Bar

Necklet Layering Clasp

If you like layering delicate necklaces, check out Necklet! Connect your necklaces on either side of the clasp, and use the magnet to put on all your necklaces at the same time. It keeps them from getting all tangled up during the day!

Aunt Dianne shared some of her favorite back to work picks, so make sure you check those out here!