Office fashion often requires balancing professionalism, comfort, and practicality, especially during the warmer months.
To help make getting dressed for work a little easier, Business Insider asked professional stylists to share which office staples are trending this season and which are on their way out. Here’s what they said.
Natural fabrics are having a moment.
Personal stylist Emily Burnette said natural fibers like linen, cotton, and silk are on the rise this season.
These materials tend to drape well, allow for freer movement, and can help create a lighter, more breathable look for warmer weather.
From tops and bottoms to blazers, jumpsuits, and jackets, this trend can work for just about all of your office staples.
Blouses are back in a big way.
Abby Young, lead stylist and CEO of Abby Young Styling, said she’s seeing a rise in blouses with romantic details like billowy sleeves, eyelet accents, and scalloped hems.
“I’ve also seen ruffles going down the front of the shirt,” Young told BI. “It almost gives it a bit of a boho vibe.”
Three-piece suits are making a comeback.
Natalie Tincher — the principal stylist and founder of BU Style — said the classic yet versatile three-piece suit is trending again.
“You can create a lot of different looks with those three pieces, so it’s kind of a great way to get a lot of mileage out of one suit,” the stylist told BI.
Wide-leg pants continue to dominate.
Several stylists told BI that wide-leg trousers are the dominant silhouette this season.
Brenda Gonzalez, personal stylist and founder of Styled By B, said the silhouette can be both flattering and comfortable. She added that wide-leg pants with front pleats look especially polished for an office setting.
Vests can be a great business-casual option.
Young said vests have remained a popular choice over the past year, especially in more relaxed office environments.
Tincher also mentioned that vests can be worn on their own or layered over a collared shirt or blouse, depending on workplace dress codes.
Elevated accessories are becoming closet staples.
For a more polished look, Burnette recommends investing in accessories like quality leather handbags, briefcases, and well-made belts.
These understated pieces can elevate office outfits while remaining versatile enough for everyday wear.
Meanwhile, ill-fitting suits are no longer in style.
When it comes to styles on their way out, Burnette told BI she recommends ditching pieces “that don’t necessarily fit the body.”
This includes both oversized blazers and stiff tailoring.
Instead, Burnette said relaxed tailoring is taking its place. Rather than rigid, structured silhouettes, she’s seeing softer shapes that allow for movement and feel more effortless overall.
Traditional piqué polos are getting an upgrade.
According to Tincher, classic piqué polos, which have a waffle-like texture, are being replaced by fine-knit styles.
“There’s a lot of great replacements for menswear now, which would be more of a fine-gauge knit and maybe a cotton-merino or silk blend for a more updated version,” Tincher told BI.
Sky-high heels are being replaced by more practical options.
Good news for sore feet: Burnette said extremely high heels that are neither practical nor comfortable are a fading trend.
In place of these, the stylist recommends investing in a quality pair of loafers with elevated details like suede, leather, or metallic accents.
For those who still prefer heels, Tincher suggested more wearable styles such as kitten heels, slingbacks, or lower, pointed-toe pumps.
Consider swapping neutrals for pastels this season.
After several years of monochromatic browns, creams, and other neutral tones dominating office wear, Young said lighter colors are becoming more popular.
Right now, she’s seeing more pastels, including shades like butter yellow, mellow rose, and cornflower blue.
Gonzalez also mentioned that pastel blazers can be a good way to add some color to outfits.
It’s time to put away your chunky statement necklaces.
Gonzalez and Burnette both said that oversized statement necklaces are falling out of favor.
Burnette said large statement necklaces feel more reminiscent of the late 2010s than of current office fashion. In their place, Gonzalez is seeing daintier necklaces worn either alone or layered.
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