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26 Elevated Basic Outfits to Wear to Work

Hi friends! Long time no see! I was messing around on tiktok the other day and decided to make a little video about all the outfits I wear to work. As it turns out some of y’all are pretty into that idea, so I figured I would dust off the blog and post all of the fits here so you guys have some inspo on outfits to wear to work.

@goforkady

every work outfit i had in my phone in the last season. be nice i’m old #outfitinspo #workoutfits #size6fashion #fashiontiktok

♬ Jiggle Jiggle – Duke & Jones & Louis Theroux

All of these work outfits are pretty affordable (by most people’s standards I’d think), though there is a piece or two that I would categorize as an investment. That said, I am pretty sure the majority of things outside of shoes on this list is under $100, and most are under $50.

When it comes to building outfits I wear to work, I tend to go for elevated basics that I can wear both in the office and in my daily life. I have a pretty casual workplace, but I think most of these outfits would be suitable for business casual work environments.

A couple reminders before we get started:

1. I’m 5’3″ and typically a size 6/28/M

2. Not for lack of trying, but many of these pieces are a little older and therefore I won’t be able to find exact links. Even if something is sold out, I’ll try to link the exact piece in case you want to search for it on secondhand sites by name, or in case it comes back in stock. Otherwise, I’ve done my best to find dupes of pieces that are no longer available but I’ll always let you know when I’m linking an exact piece vs. something similar!

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission if you shop through these links at no extra cost to you. For more information, check out the disclaimer here.

On to the work outfits (in order of the video):

Outfit 1

A pretty basic one to start with — this outfit consists of some of my absolute favorite work outfit staples. The bodysuit is the halterneck one from zara which I like a lot, but doesn’t have a thong bottom in case you’re into that thing. Pants are old but I linked similar, and the H&M blazer is the $34.99 single-breasted blazer — I find this comes and goes online, so not sure if they’re doing away with it for summer but I would check stores if you have the opportunity to!

Bodysuit: Zara (similar: Express | Amazon) | Pants: H&M (similar) | Boots: Steve Madden | Blazer: H&M

Outfit 2

These are my favorite pants of all time, favorite boots of all time, and the top is the only thing I own from shein but it gets the job done. Full disclosure though the top is slightly sheer!

Top: Shein | Pants: Zara | Boots: Pull & Bear

Outfit 3

These pants are another classic, though I’d recommend if you can to try them on in-store cause they can vary size-wise a bit pair-to-pair. This top is one of my favorite basics ever and I am still hunting down a perfect dupe. H&M PLEASE BRING IT BACK. The cardigan is ancient so I’ll do my best to dupe!

Top: H&M (similar) | Cardigan: Extremely old Target (similar) | Pants: Zara | Shoes: Nike

Outfit 4

This is another tough one to link. I got the blazer from Forever 21 for an Elaine Benes costume about ten years ago, and the pants are Zara from last summer so will be pretty tough to track down. The top however is the Aritiza sculpt knit Rory top, and it is truly worth every penny. I wear a small in sculpt knit. The shoes are an objective luxury purchase from the brand of a dear friend of mine, but I purchased them gently used and half off bc respectfully I am not a $500 shoe kind of girlie!!!

Top: Aritzia (similar | similar) | Blazer: Extremely old Forever 21 (similar but way too expensive | similar but double breasted) | Pants: Zara (similar) | Shoes: Sylven New York

Outfit 5

Phew thank goodness finally some repeats — this is the same boots and H&M blazer from outfit 1 (in a different color), and my trusty zara pants from outfit 2. The turtleneck is older from abercrombie but I found dupes at zara and aritzia!

Top: Abercrombie (similar | similar) | Blazer: H&M | Pants: Zara | Boots: Steve Madden

Outfit 6

Another very old sweater and very old boots (they are literally falling apart at the seams), but the skirt is a new work STAPLE for me and comes in a set from princess polly. I love her so much I might get the other colors!

Top: Abercrombie (similar | similar) | Sweater: Old Vici Collection and I cannot find a dupe of it for the life of me, sorry!!! | Skirt: Princess Polly | Boots: Old target (similar)

Outfit 7

The sweater is an older zara find that’s tough to dupe — it’s like a thicker fleece rugby/polo shirt but I was able to find one on abercrombie right now that’s pretty similar! The pants are the ever perfect princess polly archer pants in brown. I am short so I rolled up the hem on these and secured with iron-on hem tape and that helps!

Top: Zara (similar | similar | similar) | Pants: Princess Polly | Boots: Steve Madden

Outfit 8

The zara high waisted pants make their appearance again, only this time in a charcoal grey. I dont think they carry this color right now but it’ll probably come back in the fall. The leather blazer is also zara (to be honest i’m not obsessed with how it lays but its ok), and the cami is an oldie but goodie from abercrombie that I am so pleased to announce they still make!

Top: Abercrombie | Pants: Zara | Blazer: Zara | Shoes: Nike

Outfit 9

Might shock you to learn that I am back again with the zara high waisted pants, but in my favorite tan color. Also finally time to introduce my favorite blouse, by, you guessed it, zara. The heels are a surprisingly comfy lulu’s find that are currently out of stock but WILL be returning, and the coat is also zara!!

Top: Zara | Pants: Zara | Coat: Zara | Shoes: Lulus

Outfit 10

This is the same outfit as 7 but with forces and this H&M sweater!

Sweater: H&M | Pants: Princess Polly | Shoes: Nike

Outfit 11

We’re starting to see now that I basically just rotate between the same 10 wardrobe pieces. A capsule wardrobe girlie we love her!!! These items have all been listed above (same top as outfit 3, same pants as outfit 9), except the loafers were a zara sale find!

Top: H&M (similar) | Pants: Zara | Loafers: Zara (similar)

Outfit 12

I used to be a devote spanx leather leggings girlie to the point where my friends would ask where they were if I went out and I wasn’t wearing them. Pleased to report they can be office friendly too! The sweatervest is abercrombie and the top is an oversized blouse from zara 🙂

Top: Zara (similar | similar) | Sweater Vest: Abercrombie (similar) | Leggings: Spanx | Boots: Steve Madden

Outfit 13

Ok halfway there. This is what I wear when I pretend to be a tv preacher in the south which is my way of saying it’s more color and more pastel than I typically do. Same old forever blazer, the zara pants making an appearance in what I thought at the time was grey but is definitely a powder blue, and a tried and true v neck cami that you could get at a billion places, but I think mine is topshop from like 2013. I also don’t often wear open toes in the office because I ripped my toenail off in february and haven’t recovered, but this is an old pic from before we lost her so I’m wearing my fave marc fisher heels which may be near impossible to find now, but is a very common style so dupes should be plentiful!

Cami: Topshop (similar) | Pants: Zara | Blazer: Extremely old Forever 21 (similar but way too expensive | similar but double breasted) | Heels: Marc Fisher Aliana Sandal

Outfit 14

This was one of my favorite and most dangerous outfits bc I was in all white head to toe and allllll I know how to do is spill coffee and makeup on myself. Really fabulous work. Same amazing white pants from outfit 4 and same coat from outfit 9, but the turtleneck is an older abercrombie bodysuit that is chef’s kiss (it’s the seamless material I highly recommend, even though this particular cut is sold out). Shoes are the same from outfit 4 as well as they’re the only ones tall enough for these pants 🙂

Bodysuit: Abercrombie (similar | similar) | Coat: Zara | Pants: Zara (similar) | Shoes: Sylven New York

Outfit 15

Same old pants, older shirt from H&M (it’s called the “resort shirt” but I’m not sure if they’re making it again this year, and some old mules from target!

Shirt: H&M (similar) | Pants: Zara | Mules: Target (similar | similar)

Outfit 16

This is the same sweatervest combo from outfit 12 but with an older mini from abercrombie (that I would argue my ass may not fit into like it used to) and some of my most loved boots from matisse (that I would argue my calves definitely had to stretch out to get them to zip up)

Top: Zara (similar | similar) | Sweater Vest: Abercrombie (similar) | Skirt: Abercrombie (similar) | Boots: Matisse

Outfit 17

I hate to be the one to tell you all that these pants were a $9 H&M clearance rack find and idk if i’ll ever be able to hunt them down, but if it makes you feel any better they wrinkle SO easily, are way too tight on my ass and never look *that* good so youre not missing out!! The top is the zara satin button up and the shoes are my same marc fisher sandals but in blue!

Top: Zara | Pants: H&M (similar) | Heels: Marc Fisher Aliana Sandal (this year’s version | similar in blue)

Outfit 18

Ok so realistically I get that this might not be an outfit to wear to work for everyone! I work in sports though and have a pretty casual workplace, so a sweatsuit dressed up with a long coat is pretty okay. This is an abercrombie sweatsuit — the sunday sweats line. Not sure if they’re making it right now but will link what I can!

Sweatshirt: Abercrombie (similar) | Sweatpants: Abercrombie | Coat: Zara | Boots: Steve Madden | Hat: NHL

Outfit 19

Nothing new here!

Top: Abercrombie | Cardigan: Target (similar) | Pants: H&M (similar) | Shoes: Nike

Outfit 20

Our sweater here is another fine vintage, it’s Leith and from Nordstrom around 2019. Pants and boots are same as they ever were.

Sweater: Leith | Pants: Zara | Boots: Steve Madden

Outfit 21

Almost everything here is old news but the leather pants, which are Abercrombie’s ultra high rise ankle straight. The cami is also abercrombie but they sadly do not make this color anymore!

(also my work backpack is dagne dover and I love that too in case youre curious!)

Blazer: H&M | Top: Abercrombie | Pants: Abercrombie | Shoes: Lulus | Backpack: Dagne Dover

Outfit 22

Very old turtleneck and leather pants #2, these are the Fracoise pants from zara but in leather. I did have these altered so they’re typically much longer!

Pants: Zara (similar) | Sweater: H&M (similar) | Boots: Sylven New York

Outfit 23

This is outfit 12 with a different skirt, a wonderful faux leather moment from Oak + Fort. I’m also wearing nude tights here because it was November and also bc I think they make my legs look nicer!

Top: Zara (similar | similar) | Sweater Vest: Abercrombie (similar) | Skirt: Oak + Fort (similar) | Boots: Steve Madden

Outfit 24

These pants are still here, still everything. This shirt is the H&M equivalent of the zara button up, and I like it almost as much but it’s also half the cost which means it cancels out and it is a good shirt. I also don’t think they’re making it in this color right now but there are plenty of spring options.

Shirt: H&M | Pants: Zara | Boots: Matisse

Outfit 25

I live for all black when I can’t figure out what to wear, and this was one of those days. We’ve seen the pants and blazer before, the sweater is a simple H&M one, and the heels are a nude slingback with a gold heel from zara, they are both gorgeous and some of the most painful ones I’ve ever owned. I wore them I think on this day and never again.

Sweater: H&M | Pants: Zara | Blazer: Zara | Heels: Zara

Outfit 26

I saved the worst for last — you are going to hate me because this entire outfit is unlinkable. Both the top and pants are Zara summer 2021, and the mules are the same old target ones from up there I can’t find anymore. I’m sorry. I tried!!!

Top: Zara | Pants: Zara | Mules: Target (similar | similar)


Okay wow thank you all again so much for your interest in my closet! I’m sorry I couldn’t link absolutely everything but hopefully this will serve as some inspo on how to style pieces in your closet and some different outfits to wear to work!!

Go For Kady