Essentials for a Business/Professional Wardrobe

One of the questions I get asked the most is what are the essential items for your work wardrobe. Today, I wanted to share with you what I believe are the bare bones essentials for a professional/office wardrobe and then – most importantly – give you some reviews and links to my tried and true, most favourite items. As you can see from the above photos there are 8 items I consider essential. Let’s tackle each one in turn: 

**TOP PICK: Banana Republic “Sloan” Pants**
See My Outfit post here

Thankfully, gone are the days of ill-fitted, shapeless suit pants for women. The world of corporate fashion for women has come leaps and bounds in the last decade and there are now so many great pieces to choose from. My #1 office essential is a great pair of straight leg or skinny black pants. They are the base off which to build your office wardrobe! 

My top pick black pants are above. For other great options see here. I especially love these Elizabeth & James pants.

 ** TOP PICK: SMYTHE fitted black blazer**

See my outfit post here

My second essential is a fitted black blazer. A well fit blazer can make all the difference to your office wardrobe. My personal preference is a two button blazer, but experiment with one or three button to see what shape fits best on your body. For great blazer options see here 

**TOP PICK: Splurge: Saint Laurent Great Deal: Thalia**

My outfit post here

In addition to a black blazer, an essential is a fun blazer – something in a great color or with a unique shape. This is a great way to add some personality into your office wear. A selection of great blazers can be found: here. At under $60 I am swooning over this pale pinstripe one. 

**TOP PICK: J Crew Factory**

My outfit post here

Every office wardrobe needs one great sheath dress. It’s a versatile piece as it can be worn with a cardigan or a blazer, and you can add different accessories such as coloured tights or a neck scarf to really change up the look. See my favourite sheath dresses currently available in the widget below! 

**TOP PICK: Ann Taylor Ponte Pencil Skirt**

My outfit post: here

A great pencil skirt is not always easy to find – it’s hard to get a good fit (no gaping, not too tight) as well as a good material. The Ann Taylor Ponte skirt is by FAR the best I have found. The thick stretch material flatters every body and hugs whatever your shape is without being skin tight. For other great pencil skirts check out these

 **TOP PICK: Banana Republic Non-Iron Shirt**

My outfit post here

A white button up is a classic item that everyone should own. Personally, being the busy woman that I am, I live in non-iron ones. There are a number of great non-iron basic blouses available right now – you can see my top picks in the widget below.

** TOP PICK: Express Split Back Tank**

My outfit post here

If you follow along with LegalLee Blonde regularly, you’ve heard me talk time and again about the importance of day-to-night clothes. It is so valuable in today’s busy world to wear something to work that you can easily transition to your after work plans. A great top that looks professional under a blazer, but fun without one is key. There are many shirts that work for this task – a split back hem shirt, a shirt with lace or leather sleeves, or really an shirt that you find fun! My top picks for day-to-night shirts are in the widget below. AND all are under $50! 

**TOP PICK: Splurge: LK Bennett “Samira” Pump 
Great Deal: Michael Kors Flex Pump**
My outfit post here

And last but not least – Comfortable heels!! Believe it or not it IS possible to find heels that you can survive the entire day in. My two favourite picks are listed above. For other great heels check out these.  

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