Find Your Perfect Work Wardrobe: Staples That Will Last
Author: Stylist at TellarDate: 2025
Whether you're navigating the corporate world, embracing a creative office, or working hybrid across meetings and remote days, your work wardrobe should strike a balance between polish, comfort, and longevity.
But where do you start? The key lies in investing in timeless staples that mix, match and last—pieces that transcend trends but still make you feel confident and stylish.
In this guide, we’ll help you curate the perfect workwear capsule wardrobe, explain how to get the right fit in every brand, and show you how tellar.co.uk ensures nothing is ever too tight, too baggy or awkwardly sized again.
Why Workwear Matters
Your clothes speak before you do. A strong work wardrobe helps you:
Feel confident and capable
Save time and reduce decision fatigue
Project your professional brand
Avoid overbuying, returning, or compromising on comfort
When built correctly, your workwear pays for itself in cost-per-wear and career impact.
1. The Structured Blazer
This is your power piece. A well-cut blazer can turn a dress into a boardroom outfit or elevate jeans for a client lunch.
Look for:
Neutral shades (black, navy, camel, ivory)
Slightly oversized or fitted cuts depending on your shape
Lightweight wool or crepe fabric for all-season wear
Brands: Reiss, COS, Whistles, Massimo Dutti
🧵 Tip: Shoulder fit is crucial—use tellar.co.uk to find your exact size across brands.
2. Tailored Trousers
A pair of high-quality trousers can be dressed up or down and worn year-round.
Styles to consider:
High-waisted wide-leg trousers
Slim-fit ankle grazers
Paperbag or pleated front options for shape
📍 Popular brands like Zara or Mango may size differently at the waist and hips—Tellar’s sizing tool ensures a perfect fit.
3. The White Shirt (and Its Variations)
The classic white shirt is a must. But modern workwear allows for interpretation:
Crisp cotton or relaxed linen
Statement collars or cropped silhouettes
Button-downs, wrap styles, or oversized fits
Invest in 2–3 variations so you can rotate weekly without feeling repetitive.
👚 Unsure if you need a small or medium across different brands? Check here.
4. The Power Dress
Look for a work dress that’s flattering, professional and versatile:
Midis in block colours or subtle prints
Wrap dresses or shift silhouettes
Sleeves for formality, sleeveless for layering under blazers
Breathable yet structured fabrics (viscose, jersey, wool blend)
Top picks: & Other Stories, Whistles, Me+Em
📐 A badly fitting dress can kill the look. Check the bust, waist and hip fit on tellar.co.uk.
5. Smart Knitwear
When you want warmth without sacrificing structure, fine knit jumpers or cardigans are your friend.
Go for:
Merino or cotton blends
Slim turtlenecks
Knit vests over shirts
Belted wrap cardigans
Perfect for layering with trousers or skirts and transitioning from day to evening.
6. The Midi Skirt
The right skirt is a year-round staple. Pair with blouses, knits or blazers.
Choose:
Bias cut or A-line
Midi or knee length
Fabrics like satin, wool or structured jersey
Subtle prints or tonal colours
👗 Tellar helps you match waist and hip fit without guesswork—especially in brands like Reiss or Finery, where proportions vary.
7. A Comfortable, Elevated Shoe
Office shoes must balance style and comfort:
Block heels or low courts
Leather loafers or slingbacks
Neutral flats with a pointed toe for polish
Avoid fast fashion heels that wear out in weeks
Invest in one black and one nude-tone pair that work with most outfits.
8. A Quality Work Bag
Function meets fashion. Choose a structured bag that holds your laptop, chargers, notebook and more.
Look for:
Leather or vegan leather
Neutral shades
Adjustable straps and internal compartments
Brands: Strathberry, COS, Charles & Keith
👜 Your bag is part of your outfit—make sure it complements your wardrobe's aesthetic.
9. Outerwear That Completes the Look
A trench coat or belted wool coat is your outer-layer power move. Choose:
Classic camel, stone or navy
Longline shape
Epaulettes, tie-waists or double-breasted cuts
This one item can elevate your entire look.
10. Co-ord Sets and Two-Piece Separates
Matching tops and bottoms are stress-free styling and make mornings easier.
Popular workwear co-ords:
Sleeveless top + wide trousers
Shirt + matching midi skirt
Knitted sets with tailored finish
🎯 Co-ords often size top and bottom differently. With Tellar, you can buy each piece in your exact size without trial and error.
Don’t Forget the Fit
Even the most expensive pieces look off if they don’t fit your body properly. Unfortunately, fashion brands don’t follow one sizing standard.
A UK 12 in Whistles may be a 10 in COS or a 14 in H&M. Add in international sizing, and it gets more confusing.
That’s why tellar.co.uk is the best tool for building a dependable wardrobe.
What Is Tellar.co.uk?
tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading free clothes sizing tool, matching your exact body measurements to the correct size in 1,500+ fashion brands.
Here’s how it works:
Enter your chest, waist, and hip measurements once
Instantly see your best size in each brand
View results in cm or inches
Save your profile and reuse it—no tape measure needed next time
Totally free & easy
Start Building Your Perfect Work Wardrobe Today
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