The 14 Best Workwear Brands Fashion Editors Always Turn To

A few years ago if we said the word “workwear”, it’s likely your mind would go straight to the rainbow of boardroom bodycon as seen on The Apprentice, or Meghan Markle’s pencil skirts in Suits. However, working wardrobes in 2022 have softened, with a more laid-back approach reflecting the wider relaxation of office culture. A modern working capsule is now built up of elevated basics that you can depend on for that career-defining meeting, but then styled in a more casual way at the weekend too.

Dressing for the office still feels like a novelty, with work events, face-to-face meetings and international travel ramping up, and so naturally many are looking to invest in a new work bag or a beautiful suit. It’s not always practical to have two separate wardrobes and so it’s wise to invest in pieces that are smart and elegant, but you can wear outside of the office as well. Think smart tailored trousers, an oversized blazer, a throw-on dress and a beautiful pair of loafers. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s CEO-drobe comes to mind, as they wear the exact same white shirts and floor-skimming coats to their New York HQ as they do for a Sunday coffee.

For a functional working capsule, you want to make sure you have the foundation pieces perfected first, and then you can layer more statement pieces on top. Thankfully there are numerous labels that have a fresh approach to basics. The key here is to pay close attention to the silhouettes and the quality of the construction – small tweaks can make all of the difference.

Whether you work in a law firm or a more creative field, these 14 brands will make getting dressed in the morning a little easier.

Elin Kling is one of the original fashion bloggers, and her label Totême is centred around the idea of an everyday uniform and a capsule of hard-working basics. You can rely on Totême to create functional pieces with a fashion editor spin.

Cos is another label centred around functional basics, however it really stands out on the high-street for its attention to detail and clever proportions. The wool-blend trousers in particular are a hero piece for winter.

You can’t talk about a modern capsule without mentioning Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen’s label The Row, which has built a stellar reputation for impeccable tailoring and outerwear. The slouchy trousers are an effortless reimagining of a workwear classic.

With Nothing Underneath was founded by former jewellery editor at Tatler Pip Durell in 2017 with the aim of creating the perfect button-down shirt inspired by men’s tailoring. There are numerous fits and fabrics, so you really can find the exact style of shirt you’re looking for. It also counts the Duchess of Sussex as a customer.

Korean label LVIR is inspired by traditional tailoring and corporate workwear, but plays with structure to make office staples feel less formal and give a modern, feminine twist. The belted blazers are an item you’ll wear and treasure forever.

Raey is Matches Fashion’s own label, which launched back in 2015, however it has really found its edge in recent years. The concept behind the brand is that it offers a curated edit of seasonless luxury staples – it doesn’t play into passing trends but sticks to its aesthetic of relaxed, exaggerated silhouettes. The coats are a real fashion editor favourite.

The key to elevated workwear is to find simple pieces that still make an impact thanks to small design details or interesting textures, and Pleats Please by Issey Miyake will always be an elevated alternative to a plain T-shirt or blouse.

We think carefully about jewellery for a wedding or for an evening event, but when it comes to everyday dressing it often gets forgotten – but it can really help to lift the most simple outfits. Susan Caplan has been working with vintage jewellery for 40 years, and has the most amazing collection, from delicate chains to statement Chanel earrings, making it the perfect place to start building a collection, whatever your budget.

Victoria Beckham has always had a focus on refined, comfortable pieces, that are easy to style and layer in an individual way. VB is always giving inspiration for new ways to style her hero pieces, as she naturally wears her collections for all of her work commitments.

It can be hard to find shoes that are comfortable enough to wear for a whole working week, but Essēn might be your answer. Not only does it create the perfect almond-toe ballet pump, but the knee-high boots and loafers are exactly what we’d want to wear for work. The name actually comes from “essentials”, as the whole concept of the brand is to create timeless classics that will go with every outfit. Trust us – the ballet flats are extremely comfortable.

Jigsaw has long been a go-to for workwear for corporate types, however it creates pieces that will suit any office dress code. It has the most impeccable tailored coats, amazing jeans and beautiful cashmere. Plus, its collaboration with Collagerie is well worth a browse.

The Frankie Shop is another label which has managed to turn once “boring” workwear classics into cult items that retailers struggle to keep in stock. The slouchy tailored trousers and oversized cotton shirts are no-brainers you’ll live in all week long.

Like many of the labels on this list, Issue Twelve combines timeless design with a commitment to using quality materials, resulting in classic products that will last for years and you can feel proud to wear. Most of the collections are made in London with local experts, and has promised it will never use virgin polyester, nylon or other virgin non-biodegradable fabrics.

Director of fashion partnerships at Instagram, Eva Chen, knows a thing or two about how to dress for important meetings, and you’ll notice she often wears a Completedworks pearl and crystal choker necklace. The brand works with primarily recycled materials and has an artistic and sculptural approach, with pieces that twist and bend in a unique fashion. The gold scrunchie earrings have quickly become a modern classic.