I, like so many other people, spend most of my day in an office. This post could easily complain about the fact that I have to get up early or the fact that I absolutely despise traffic — but really, this post is about office wear essentials! When I got my current job about a year and a half ago, I was told that the office had a business-like dress code, and mini alarm bells went off in my head: How do I build an office wardrobe that still has my personality in it?
I’ve done a couple of office-appropriate blog posts in the past, but as someone who is always looking to expand their outfit choices when it comes to what to wear to my weekday, 9-5 — you can never have too many blog posts that highlight career wardrobe essentials. And– because my blog is what it is– the best office looks are inspired by the one and only, Harry Styles. This particular look is another one inspired by the Harry Styles: Live on Tour outfits — I’ve already done a sequin number from the tour as well as some 90s throwback chic if you fancy checking those out.
But, if it’s a stylish office look you need, keep reading!
Harry Styles’ style is chock-full of bold and bright colors, and this suit that he wore for his Manchester show back in April of this year really fits the bill. A custom Alexander McQueen suit — I remember thinking that this was instantly one of my favorite suits… even though a different red suit made an appearance in my post highlighting his best suits from his European tour dates.
Although the red color is part of what makes this suit stand out, I also really love the detail of the shirt that he’s wearing underneath. A black and white striped shirt that adds that extra bit to the look as a whole and also kind of grounds an otherwise loud suit — what gets more classic than a striped button down shirt?! And it was actually this piece of the look that made me want to use it as inspiration for must-have work clothes.
Because the red is really what stands out in Harry’s suit, I toyed with the idea of wearing a red top and using the stripes in another fashion — maybe shoes or trousers? But in the end, I decided to keep the essence of the look by wearing red pants, and I really love the feminine effect the paper bag waist has on the outfit as a whole.
I also knew I wanted to keep the blouse with vertical stripes rather than horizontal. Stripes are having a moment right now, and they are in every store everywhere, but everyone seems to do horizontal — so when I came across this vertical striped top in H&M ages ago, I snatched it up immediately. It unfortunately isn’t available anymore, but don’t worry — Express has you covered. I finished the look with my favorite black heels (also known as the only pair of black heels I own) from New Look.
Not to toot my own horn, but I think this look is pretty damn spot on!
