Finding Your Personal Style at Work
Originally written for @businesswomen
The average person spends roughly 90,000 hours at work—about one-third of their life—yet finding a work style is often overlooked. The workplace is also considered one of the least glamorous areas when it comes to fashion. But with “return to work” in full swing, we owe it to ourselves to elevate our workday style as much as possible.
Designers began spotlighting the back-to-office aesthetic a few seasons ago with “corpcore,” the more over-the-top “office siren,” and a wave of menswear-inspired looks.
The best way to define your work style is to draw from your own past, present, and future, in addition to staying current. After all, it’s called personal style for a reason.
Look to Your Past, Present, and Future
Your past can encompass the things you grew up with—the colors, patterns, and symbols that shaped you. Your present reflects the life you live now: your job, your responsibilities, and the settings you find yourself in daily. And your future represents the life you’re working toward, the self you aspire to be. I find that identifying these touchpoints can be helpful in defining a personal style that feels authentic.
Start Writing Things Down and Create a Mood Board
Start by jotting down the things you love—colors, textures, symbols, and any inspiration that brings you joy, as above. Think about your body type and research silhouettes that look best on you. From there, you can translate these insights into a tangible visual language via mood boards, curated lists, and outfit ideas—before merging them with the realities of your daily life and today’s trends.
Look to Your Workplace and Goals for Inspiration
Let your workplace itself spark ideas: why you enjoy your role, the story of how you got there—sometimes cues are hidden in plain sight. Then shift your focus forward. Consider where you want to go, what your goals are, and how you want to feel. From there, make a thoughtful list of the pieces you need to support that direction. This is the foundation of a personal style at work.
A Conservative Environment
In a conservative work environment, where dress codes are strict and semi-casual freedoms are limited, personal style can still shine through in thoughtful ways. Color is your ally: a pop from a blouse peeking out under a blazer, or colorful piping or lining on a jacket. Pinstripes, micro-checks, or tone-on-tone prints, can also add dimension and interest while remaining professional. Personal or heirloom jewelry, or a signature watch, allow personality to emerge without feeling gaudy. Even within the constraints of traditional conservatism, these small, intentional choices let you express individuality while staying fully professional. For trends this season, peplum, hourglass blazers, and menswear details work well for this style. You can also try slightly exaggerated silhouettes to look more modern.
Adeam Spring ’26 via Vogue.com
Ashlyn Spring ’26 via Vogue.com
Ashlyn Spring ’26 via Vogue.com
More Casual Environments
In a more casual environment, it’s important to keep it elevated. It can be tempting to lean in favor of comfort, but I’ve never seen that support confidence as much as we all want to believe. You can, however, take more liberties with patterns, colors, and accessories. Tailored denim and blazers are still professional silhouettes but have a casual feel, and smart shoe options like loafers and kitten heels add extra refinement. Pair trending indigo washes and newly revived skinny jeans with blazers or button-ups to stay polished.
Ashlyn Spring ’26 via Vogue.com
Altuzarra Spring ’26 via Vogue.com
Ralph Lauren Spring ’26 Via Vogue.com
In any environment, focus on staples you can wear again and again—pieces that support both your professional and personal life.
Ultimately, the most important factor in finding your style at work is choosing clothes that make you feel confident, comfortable, and like yourself. When your wardrobe reflects who you are, performing at your best comes naturally—and your style becomes an effortless part of your workday.
