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    1. Fashion

    Your Back-to-Office Style Guide Is Here

    Lean into power casual.

    Sara Holzman's avatar
    By Sara Holzman
    Published 20 September 2021 In Features

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    Two women dressed in suits
    (Image credit: Kat Irlin / Morgan McMullen)

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    The future of Women+Work

    (Image credit: Hearst Owned)

    Click here to read all of the stories.

    Without question, working from home has changed our minds about strict office dress codes. Still, the novelty of wearing sweats and track suits all day has worn off. According to an original Marie Claire x LinkedIn survey, almost half (47 percent) of respondents are looking forward to getting dressed up for work again and more than one third said they were shopping for a new work wardrobe. Now is the perfect time to invest in a few great pieces that will showcase your personal style. Make your back-to-work budget work smarter, not harder, by investing in items that you can mix-and-match for high-performing, down-to-business looks.


    Back-to-Work Tops

    Think beyond traditional suit shirts and stuffy button-downs. Instead, reach for blouses with feminine details like ruffles and blazers in unexpected fabrics and adorned with shiny hardware.

    A woman in workwear

    (Image credit: TYLER JOE)

    A navy blue blazer

    Wales Bonner Twill Blazer
    $344.00 AT NET-A-PORTER.COM

    A navy blue blazer

    Smythe Duchess Wool Blazer
    $695.00 AT SAKSFIFTHAVENUE.COM

    A white blouse

    St. Roche Virginia Top
    $198.00 AT FASHIONKIND.COM

    A white blouse

    Rebecca Taylor Valerie Eyelet Blouse
    $135.00 AT SAKSFIFTHAVENUE.COM


    Back-to-Work Pants

    Forty-six percent of our survey respondents are shopping for the perfect back-to-office pants. But if "no jeans" is still the policy at your office post-pandemic, don't panic. Leg elongating high-waisted trousers, stretchy slacks, and minimalist patterned pants will give your look a leg up.

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
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    Two women in suits

    (Image credit: KAT IRLIN)

    Work trousers

    Tory Burch Gingham Linen Wide Leg Pants
    $300.00 AT NET-A-PORTER.COM

    Work trousers

    Chloé Stretch Wool Wide Leg Pants
    $1350.00 AT NET-A-PORTER.COM

    Work trousers

    Gabriela Wool Twill Flare
    $545.00 AT NET-A-PORTER.COM

    Work trousers

    Victoria, Victoria Beckham Belted Straight Leg Pants
    $480.00 AT NET-A-PORTER.COM


    Back-to-Work Shoes

    Sorry, sky-high heels. We're just not that into you anymore. Commit to a commuter shoe, like a loafer, that's both comfy and cool.

    Woman with shoes in a bag

    (Image credit: ALLIE HOLLOWAY)

    work shoes

    Brother Vellies Wilson Loafer in Linen
    $615.00 AT NORDSTROM.COM

    work shoes

    Jeffrey Campbell Sorbonne Penny Loafer
    $119.96 AT NORDSTROM.COM

    work shoes

    Louise et Cie Emlen Chain Loafer
    $149.95 AT NORDSTROM.COM

    work shoes

    Tory Burch Jessa Horse Hardware Loafer
    $196.80 AT NORDSTROM.COM


    Back-to-Work Accessories

    Thirty-seven percent of our survey respondents said they want to invest in new jewelry this season. So shake up your workwear with sleek belts and baubles that will add pizzaz to any boardroom ensemble.

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    Woman holding a handbag

    (Image credit: Allie Holloway)

    Accesories

    Kintu New York Crossbody
    $550.00 AT KINTUNEWYORK.COM

    Accesories

    Doina Gemstone Huggie Earrings Set
    $265.00 AT MONICAVINADER.COM

    Accesories

    Coco and Breezy Eyeglasses
    $249.00 AT COCOANDBREEZY.COM

    Accesories

    Bottega Veneta Triangle-Buckle Leather Belt
    $420 AT SAKSFIFTHAVENUE.COM


    Back-to-Work Bags

    No need to settle for a backpack to get you and your gear to-and-from the office. These chic back-to-work bags fit your laptop and then some.

    Woman holding a handbag

    (Image credit: ALLIE HOLLOWAY)

    Handbag

    Telfar Large Oxblood Shopping Bag
    $257.00 AT TELFAR.NET

    Handbag

    Cuyana Classic Structured Leather Tote
    $295.00 AT CUYANA.COM

    Handbag

    Longchamp Paille Straw Tote
    $365.00 AT TELFAR.NET

    Handbag

    Gucci 1955 Tote Bag
    $1690.00 AT GUCCI.COM


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    The Future of Women and Work 

    Marie Claire Newsletter

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    Explore More
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    Sara Holzman
    Sara Holzman
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    Style Director

    Sara Holzman is the Style Director at Marie Claire, where she oversees fashion coverage spanning seasonal trends, celebrity style, designers, Fashion Month, and shopping. With more than a decade of experience in fashion media, she has held roles at Condé Nast’s Lucky and Self and contributed style and travel coverage to Equinox’s Furthermore. A graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism, Sara is based in New York City, where she writes about fashion through both an industry and personal lens, including the realities of getting dressed as a working mom. Follow her on Instagram at @sarajonewyork.

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