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A stylist’s take on what to wear to work now

A post-lockdown spin on smart.
Two men at work; one is wearing a navy blue jacket and grey-blue merino polo shirt and the other is wearing a light grey jacket and dark navy shirt.

 

THE POST-LOCKDOWN SPIN ON THE SUIT

Words: S. Talbot

It’s back to business and office dress codes are taking their cues from the last eighteen months of working from home.

It’s no surprise that the old office rules of dressing have been rewritten in light of finding the balance between professional and casual for all those back–to-back zoom meetings and FaceTime conferences. But while a starch collared shirt and cravat partnered with joggers and flip flops may have been a style default for a number of professionals during lockdown, for others the illusion of formality just didn’t cut it.

 

Professional going to work in dark checked three piece suit, a dark denim shirt and tie. Under his left arm he is carrying a black leather hold-bag.
Professional going to work wearing a dark navy suit, floral tie and pocket square and holding a black leather bag.

 

Celebrity stylist Samson Soboye, whose inimitable way with a suit is often featured on the pages of glossy magazines, says, “I always pay attention to how I’m dressed, even when I’m off duty. I’ve noticed generally men making an effort in their appearance, even if it’s just to go to grab a coffee. Regardless of when I’m styling a private client or public figure, like actor John Boyega, the trusty suit is all about confident dressing and adding personal touches. Personally, I lean towards a bow tie, but I also like to wear collarless shirts buttoned to the top. For some reason, it looks less corporate.”

 

Man wearing a tan merino polo shirt and grey checked jacket to work.

 

So whether you’ve made a full return to the office, opted for part-time office hours, split-shift desk sessions and/or intermittent home working, what are the new rules of office style?

Formal offices continue to uphold the convention of a classic suit and tie. And this is double-edged as although a suit is not necessarily the most comfortable thing in your wardrobe, it’s certainly a relatively straightforward formula first thing in the morning. But what has been noticeable out on the streets in cities such as London is that office workers are enjoying accessorising their suits again with contrasting pocket squares, statement ties and other accents such as stealth cufflinks and watches. Likewise, sportier bags like cross-body styles seem to have replaced the once-customary laptop cases.

Man in stylish work blue polo shirt and dark blue suit.
Man at work in stylish grey-blue merino polo shirt and blue suit.

 

The traditional suit may still be a staple (and hopefully yours is without any signs of moth nibbles), however, for workplaces that are more relaxed in their stylistic expectations, the loosening of dress restrictions that came with lockdown has translated into a new take on business-casual. This causalisation of formalwear is about looking the part without compromising on style and is an opportunity to bring your personality to the formality of tailoring. The key is to wear separates, contrasting a touch of ‘street’ with a sharp cut. Think athleisure meets Wall Street.

 

Man at work sitting on a park bench wearing a white t shirt, leather shoes and a light grey work suit.

 

A suit worn with a plain cotton T-shirt beneath a well-cut jacket or a tucked-in unbuttoned shirt (keep it PG-rated, though) points to a look that many offices are now welcoming. A polo shirt can appear equally modern and for those impending days when a late-summer chill demands more coverage, why not try a fine-knit polo neck? As an alternative to buttoned-up pieces, consider flannel or wool trousers with pleated waistbands together with a blazer and a crisp shirt or a cashmere crewneck sweater.

Man in casual work wear: a navy t shirt and checked navy trousers with grey trainers.
Checked navy trainers, navy blue socks and grey trainers.

 

Sneakers worn with suits are a fine line that can either look great or gauche. Cupsole monk shoes and the current trend for refined leather or suede style trainers are favoured work-appropriate options by those who reserve their branded sneakers for after hours. In the words of Soboye, “keep it casual, but always keep it smart.”

Posted August 13th, 2021 in Style.

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