What to Wear to Work

When it comes to building a capsule wardrobe for work, your most important item is probably going to be your work handbag, unless you have a job where you don't need to carry any personal items or papers etc around with you. In my current job, we hotdesk, which means I have to carry a laptop around, along with notebook, papers and of course the usual essentials like my phone, keys and umbrella.

It took me a long time to find the perfect work handbag for this reason. Lots of people were going to see me with it so I wanted it to be one I really loved, and it also needed to be durable and functional. I therefore chose to look to luxury retailers for my work bag and found my gorgeous Burberry baby at Bicester Village Designer Outlet. It is made up of neutral colours but still has a bit of a twist with the classic Burberry pattern at the sides. It also closes, which was a must for me because if it rains, I don't want my laptop or papers getting wet!

A jumper dress is also a must for this time of year and I love this rich burgundy colour for one. It is an easy outfit to throw on but you automatically look like you have made an effort. Jumper dresses can also be worn with boots or shoes and still look smart, as well as keeping you warm on the cold, crisp autumnal mornings.

I cannot recommend the brand Pretty Affluent more! Frances makes absolutely stunning, carefully crafted pieces and this pencil skirt was made to my exact measurements so fits like an actual dream!

However if you can't afford a made-to-measure skirt, look for cheaper skirts in stretch materials to ensure they fit both your waist and your hips, which is what I always struggle with when it comes to stiffer materials like boucle.

A pencil skirt is perfect because it is around knee-length and therefore conservative enough for the office, but that doesn't mean you have to shy away from mini skirts. With a pair of opaque tights and a high-necked top or jumper to balance out the look, mini skirts are perfectly appropriate for the workplace.

I don't know about you but I hate buying things specifically for work. Firstly, I want the office to be my runway! Secondly, I hate spending money on clothes that I can only wear in certain situations. That's why culottes are such a great staple when it comes to workwear.

A pair of culottes has the advantage of looking smart while actually feeling like a pair of pyjama bottoms. They are not only ridiculously comfortable but they are also readily available on the high street, meaning you can get several pairs in different colours without breaking the bank! New Look are great for pairs under £20.

Culottes can be worn with boots or shoes and I particularly love wearing them with jumpers when the weather gets colder.

I don't think you can beat a high-necked mini dress for the office in Autumn. Sometimes it can be hard to know what to wear when it's getting cold, so a dress is the quickest way to look stylish without actually having made that much of an effort.

Dark florals are great this time of year and enable you to wear pretty clothes without looking out of season.

What's your favourite wardrobe essential for Autumn/Winter?