Comfy but cool workwear ideas for the return to the office

By Katie Wright

‘Do you think I can get away with wearing trackie bottoms to the office?’ – a question many of us have asked ourselves recently.

While only you (or your boss) can really answer that query, we can offer some outfit ideas that will help you transition from your working-from-home bubble – where no one has to know what you’re wearing on your bottom half – to a shared workspace again, where you’re visible to colleagues and/or clients.

These workwear staples are stylish and smart enough for the office, but don’t compromise on comfort…

Breezy blouses

Swap stuffy cotton shirts for loose, summery blouses that can be easily teamed with skirts or trousers. Pretty lace detailing or colourful prints elevate a simple silhouette.

Comfy trousers

The closest thing you can get to joggers, while still adhering to the smart-casual dress code, wide-leg trousers are a cool (in every sense of the word) alternative to slim-cut styles or skinny jeans, particularly if they’re made with breathable cotton.

Wear with flat sandals, so the swishy hems reach all the way to the floor.

Easy everyday dresses

Sometimes it can be tricky to find summer dresses that aren’t too, well, summery for the office. You want to look boardroom-ready, not beach-ready.

Cap or three-quarter-length sleeves are best, if you’re dealing with a more conservative dress code, while floaty midi dresses look chic with heeled sandals.

Smart trainers

In the era of ‘lifestyle trainers’, it’s way easier to get away with wearing sneakers to work than it used to be – so long as they’re understated and, crucially, clean (the more box-fresh the better).

For summer, low-tops in white or pastel hues are perfect for pairing with trousers, skirts or dresses.