How to Look Work Professional While Still Feeling Comfortable
Finding the perfect balance between feeling comfortable throughout the day and still looking like you're about to absolutely crush it at the next meeting is actually much easier than many people realize. Comfy clothes for women can absolutely be work and office-friendly, regardless of your office's dress code. From business casual to business formal, all you need to do is focus on finding the right fabrics and materials, go with waistbands that won't feel too snug throughout the day, and pinpoint outfits that provide coverage while still allowing you to move about your day with ease. At the end of the day, you'll feel more productive at work if you're not distracted by uncomfortable clothing, so building a rotation of work attire as comfy as it is professional is key.
Other tips also help with this, like keeping boardroom-ready shoes at your desk so you can travel to and from the office in comfier shoes like sneakers or always keeping a bag of toiletries or makeup (if that's your thing!) on hand in case you feel like you need to refresh throughout the day. With these tips in mind and some easy-to-assemble comfortable and professional outfits ready to go, you'll be able to head into any workday without worrying about anything other than the tasks at hand. Read on for more tips and outfit ideas since cozy-professional might just be the best new office dress code out there.
Dress to Impress
The first item on our list has to be dresses because they're so easy to style in a professional way while also feeling like you're in your comfiest loungewear all day. Dresses can be so comfortable yet so stylish, in fact, that wearing them can sometimes feel like you're cheating or walking around with a secret. That said, you do want to pick dresses that have a professional feel and that you can easily pair with a blazer if needed.
One great option here is a women's cap sleeve, twist front, fit and flare dress. The fit and flare style with the added twist-front design is universally flattering, and going with a color like charcoal or navy makes this dress super professional. Go with a fit and flare dress in an airy cotton blend that'll feel great throughout the day, and pair it with a black blazer and black ballet flats for a look that's as office-ready as it is comfortable.
Professional Pants
Comfortable yet stylish women's cropped pants are another great option for creating professional ensembles. The idea is to pick pants that feature a flexible waistline, like elastic, and come in fabrics that'll feel relaxed throughout the day. With the right pair of cropped pants, you'll feel as if you're in your pajamas all day while still being ready for a last-minute client meeting or a big presentation.
To reach the perfect harmony of a professional look with a pajama-like feel, try a pair of mid-rise pull-on chino crop pants with design elements like an elastic waist and fabric that has just a hint of stretch while still looking streamlined and smooth. Or, go for a pair of high-rise tie-waist wide-leg linen crop pants for a super stylish and trendy option that's as comfy and airy as it is flattering. Pair either of these bottoms with a professional-looking women's blouse, ballet flats, heels, mules, or loafers, and add a blazer layer if needed.
Stay Cool in Skorts
Like wearing dresses, skorts present another option that's so easy yet stylish; you'll feel like it's cheating. Skorts provide all of the coverage and comfort of your favorite pair of shorts, with the added style and professional look of a skirt.
Go for a soft cotton knit skort with an elastic waist in either a solid color like navy or khaki or a print like plaid. You can also choose a skort in a length you're most relaxed in, be it above the knee or right at knee length. Pair your skort with a blouse and a blazer layer, plus mules or ballet flats. This look will keep you ready for anything as you move about your day.
Silky Soft Sweaters
This list wouldn't be complete without mentioning sweaters. There's a reason sweater weather is the coziest part of the year, so why not benefit from the comfort of sweaters as you tackle your workday? Of course, you'll want to stick to sweaters that feel a bit on the dressier side to ensure your outfits still fit within your office's dress code.
Cardigans can be the perfect way to dress up or complete any of the looks we outlined above, especially if you don't necessarily need a blazer layer. Add a silky-smooth long cashmere cardigan to a look for a layer that'll add style points, look professional, and still wrap you in cloud-like comfort all day. This is a great option to keep hanging over your chair for when that arctic-level AC inevitably kicks in!
With these pieces in your outfit rotation, you'll be ready to crush it at work in complete comfort and style!