The comfort of working from home is, for many, becoming a thing of the past as more and more employees are requested to leave their box bedrooms and man sheds to rejoin the team in a bricks and mortar office environment.
This corporate conscription may come as good news to younger employees, many of whom miss the camaraderie of their work companions, gossip at the water cooler and the fun to be found in work life. Plus, TV dramas such as Suits, The Morning Show and Succession have boosted the popularity of a corporate venue as a place of adventure. It’s a chance to meet new faces, go places and pop out for an impromptu cocktail or a bite to eat with colleagues.
The last thing on your mind is possibly what you’re going to wear come that day of reckoning – but there has been a revolution in office fashion style, and you really can have fun putting together a spring wardrobe.
If you’re expecting the call back to the office, give your wardrobe an airing and sort out a go to rail. Choosing a versatile selection of interchangeable pieces that are comfortable and flexible is key to dress success.
To avoid early morning meltdowns, it’s advisable to impose some order if you’ve a heap of wayward clothing. For instance, in the wardrobe, hang all your jackets in one area and then select handy trousers in primary shades close by their side. After that pay some attention to tonal colours matching tops and tails that go well together – browns and beiges, pinks and cocoa shades, reds and black. Place drip dry blouses and Teflon shirts on an easy grab rail while bodysuits and T-shirts can be folded in a drawer.
Make an outfit plan the night before and have a few ready to go ensembles on standby for frantic mornings.
Irish label Ora Clothing, celebrated for its dedication to designing elegant and sophisticated plus-size womenswear, has a blend of contemporary trends with timeless designs, ensuring that every piece enhances the wearer’s confidence and style.
The collection features an array of dresses, from flowing and flared maxi styles in colour block to contemporary brush print midi dresses in bold monochromatic tones. These designs are crafted from lightweight, modern fabrics, making them ideal for warm-weather wear. The thoughtful cuts and silhouettes are designed to flatter diverse shapes and ideal for smart work rigouts.
The more leisurely looks that combine style with practicality are the new smart casual whether they are striped wide leg pants in Mango or cargo pants from Whistles.
Designer cut denims are the number one choice for men and women who like to feel at home when they commute back into the hot seat. Team up your jeans with ankle high boots for an uptown lift while a pair of black flat pumps along with a handy suede tote bag is ideal for carrying your iPad, folders and mobile phone during the day.
For men there is a general move towards T-shirts, polo tops and fine knit sweaters. Relaxed elegance continues to gather momentum with long sleeved fine tops and chinos providing ideal options for cooler office wear. Soft leather zip up jackets provide a handy layer as well along with suede trainers. A few blazers in navy, black and camel are great for ringing the changes to a uniform style.
High street shops are hot on the office trail with Dunnes Stores, Zara, Marks & Spencer supplying the rails with pieces that will get an admiring nod from the corporate couture crowd.
Knitwear is also an office staple – the Irish love affair with the humble cardigan continues this season and it is also a popular springtime classic that is ideal for those chilly in-betweener days. Jaeger carries the pivotal silhouette cardigan while Irish Eye Knitwear bring a contemporary Celtic twist to their longline Aran cardigans. The longer hemline also goes well with most skirt lengths, leggings and boots. The Pellador label in Brown Thomas is popular with the street cred crew and they’ve some really striking pieces for the spring.
Although this season’s barrel-legged jeans make most of us look like well ... a bit of a barrel – you can opt for looser straight-leg styles as all shapes are really in vogue now depending on what suits your figure best. Wide-cut flares worn with a high waist are flattering, especially if worn with high platforms to deliver the illusion of length and height. They’re easily styled with a chiffon shirt and a layered cable knit tank top for a pop of colour and loafers. Also cotton jumpsuits are back as they have that all-in-one, good-to-go formula that dispenses with jackets and shirt combinations.
For men there is a clear departure from the trad plaid suit with a lot more flexibility on the cards. Paul Costelloe’s range of men’s wear in Dunnes comprises a smart curated range of key items from the casual jacket, his super soft cashmeres to open-necked shirts and easy wear chinos.
The Cos designs are popular with legal executives and woman financiers, as they offer a sophisticated selection of simple block colour wardrobe options. Their practical skirts and unstructured dresses form designer two-piece ensembles that are wearable and flexible. As business travel also increases again, these laid-back looks in crush proof fabric are the perfect travel companions as their natural materials don’t crease easily.
The latest office armour is designed with emphasis on comfort and sustainability in mind as we steer clear of fast fashion labels. Eco-friendly, breathable fabrics and classic labels are the key to a spring wardrobe with looks that will take you into high summer. The days of rooting through cheap remnants on the bedroom floordrobe have been replaced with a neater, thoughtful wardrobe.
The good thing about the return to the workplace is that it’s a much more flexible place in 2025 and your style reflects that choice. Less stress and more finesse.
