10 New Ways to Dress for Work Now

3. Street joggers + sweater + leather sneakers

If you’re reluctant to leave the comfiness of athleisure, there’s no reason to anymore. The secret to wearing these casual looks at work is choosing real-clothes hybrids with sporty details. Try a jogger hybrid like the Madewell Twill Drawstring Jogger Pants ($80, madewell.com), add a sweatshirt-inspired pullover like the Gap Cozy Half-Zip Sweater in Stone Beige ($80, gap.com) and slip on leather sneakers like the Naturalizer Marianne Slip-On Sneaker–Women’s in Tan Embossed Leather ($85, dsw.com/en/us). Added up, they create a pulled-together effect that’s perfect for dress-down workplaces.

(Left to right) Fireside by Dearfoams Sydney Genuine Shearling Scuff in Chestnut; J.Jill Lakewood Merino Sweater Tunic in Spiced Wine; NYDJ Plus Size Sculpt-Her Pull-On Ponte Flare Leg Pant in Black

Zappos; J.Jill; Macy's

4. Ponte pull-on pants + tunic sweater + shearling mules

For those of us working at home, it’s time to elevate our formula to a head-to-toe look. Though any colleague or client in Zoom meetings or on FaceTime sees you waist up, a total “outfit” gives you a psychological boost. Try a pair of pull-on ponte knit pants like the NYDJ Plus Size Sculpt-Her Pull-On Ponte Flare Leg Pant in Black ($89, macys.com). These are every bit as comfy as leggings but not as revealing or clingy. Add a long fine-gauge sweater like the J.Jill Lakewood Merino Sweater Tunic in Spiced Wine ($89, jjill.com) and toasty shearling-lined clogs or mules like the Fireside by Dearfoams Sydney Genuine Shearling Scuff in Chestnut ($50, zappos.com), and don’t forget some makeup! It’s perfect for WFH days but dressed enough to grab your coat and go with a change of shoes.

(Left to right) Naadam The Essential $75 Cashmere Sweater Women’s in Black; Comfortview Poloma Wide Calf Boot in Mocha; Who What Wear Faux Leather Skirt in Brown

Naadam; Catherines; Target

5. A leather skirt + knee boots + a cashmere sweater

While plenty of us spend workdays in pants or jeans, some like the option of a skirt look, especially in urban or creative workplaces. No need to think about pencil skirts, shape wear and pumps. A leather skirt like the Who What Wear Faux Leather Skirt in Brown ($35, target.com) adds a chic tweak to all your tops. Try it with a kitten heel boot like the Comfortview Poloma Wide Calf Boot in Mocha or Multi Snake ($108–$130, catherines.com) and a classy sweater like Naadam’s The Essential $75 Cashmere Sweater Women’s in Black ($75, naadam.com), but know it’s a multi-season 24/7 piece that will look equally great with your shearling boots and a down vest.

(Left to right) Pilcro The Skipper Wide-Leg Jeans in Plus Size Black; Who What Wear Women’s Plus Long Sleeve Top in Jet Black Floral; Anne Klein Faux Leather Blazer in Anne Black

Anthropologie; Target; Macy's

6. Black jeans + floral blouse + leather jacket

Some of us like a little downtown edge even in work clothes. The trick to making a cool look work for work is to start with inky black jeans as a stand-in for dress pants (just avoid faded and ripped black washes). Choose a straight- or wide-leg style like Pilcro The Skipper Wide-Leg Jeans in Plus Size Black ($130, anthropologie.com) as your base. Then add a puff sleeve blouse like the Who What Wear Women’s Plus Long Sleeve Top in Jet Black Floral ($30, target.com) for a feminine twist and top it all off with a leather blazer like the Anne Klein Faux Leather Blazer in Anne Black ($139, macys.com) for a business-like tweak on biker style.

(Left to right) J.Jill Wherever Smooth-Fit Slim-Leg Pants in Navy Blue; Aqua x Scout The City Balloon Sleeve Button-Front Shirt in White; Ann Taylor Pearlized Huggie Earrings

J.Jill; Bloomingdale's; Ann Taylor

7. Tailored ankle pants + crisp white shirt + new-look pearls

Sure, you have a bunch of ankle pants from workdays past but are they high-rise with a stretchy waist and as comfy as sweatpants? Nope? And those white shirts, are they preppy button-downs? Thought so! New versions like the J.Jill Wherever Smooth-Fit Slim-Leg Pants in Navy Blue or Black ($79, jjill.com) with elastic waist sit at your real waist to make belly bulges and muffin tops a nonissue. Add a white shirt like Aqua x Scout The City Balloon Sleeve Button-Front Shirt in White ($78, bloomingdales.com) and Ann Taylor Pearlized Huggie Earrings ($35, anntaylor.com) to get a professional trio that lasts 9 to 5 and long after.

8. A midi sweater dress + long cardigan + booties

For those of us who still wear dresses, sweater dresses are another major trend worth trying. Stay away from skimpy above-the-knee clingers and body-con dresses and stick with straight or fit-and-flare midis, like the Calvin Klein Tie-Waist Midi Sweater Dress ($90, macys.com), that flatter but don’t overdo the curves. Add booties like the Impo Nelia Bootie in Black ($70, dsw.com/en/us) and a long toned-to-match cardigan like A New Day Women’s Plus Cable-Knit Open Front Cardigan in Charcoal Gray ($35, target.com) for extra warmth or coverage. Think of this as your new twinset.

Kate Spade Paris Ballet Flat (top left); C. Wonder Luna Quilted Satchel in Black (bottom left); Alex Mill Ribbed Sweater Tunic in Heather Latte (middle); Loft Pull On Wide Leg Pants in Birdseye Knit in Charcoal (right)

DSW; Walmart; Alex Mill; LOFT

9. Wide-leg knit pants + tunic + quilted leather accessories

Knit duos are a big trend, but skip the clingy skirt twosomes and head straight for wide pants and tunics with enough shape, substance and coverage, like the Loft Pull On Wide Leg Pants in Birdseye Knit in Charcoal ($80, loft.com) and the Alex Mill Ribbed Sweater Tunic in Heather Latte or Navy ($138, alexmill.com). Both are comfy but have enough shape and substance to not look like loungewear. Be sure to stick with rich neutral colors and select a sweater long enough to cover your backside. Just add flats and a quilted leather bag like the Kate Spade Paris Ballet Flat ($90, dsw.com/en/us) and C. Wonder Luna Quilted Satchel in Black ($40, walmart.com) to take the look up yet another elegant notch.

(Left to right) Le Suit Plus Size Pinstriped Pantsuit in Indigo/Ivory; M.M. LaFleur The Rowling Top-Soft Wave in Alabaster; Faryl by Farylrobin Solara in Cognac

Macy's; M.M. LaFleur; 6pm

10. Your pantsuit + cowl top or bodysuit + chunky pumps

Some of us work in corporate or traditional fields where pantsuits like Le Suit Plus Size Pinstriped Pantsuit in Indigo/Ivory ($119, macys.com) are business as usual. Keep the structure and tailoring going but freshen the look with a white drapey cowl neck bodysuit or top like the M.M. LaFleur The Rowling Top-Soft Wave in Alabaster ($145, mmlafleur.com) to wear untucked or tucked. Then swap needle heel pumps for chunky block heels like Faryl by Farylrobin Solara in Cognac ($45, 6pm.com) that can stand all day without an ouch, or swap to flats.

Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and a founding editor of More magazine. She has written three books: The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup and The Woman's Wakeup.