EDIT: Workwear wardrobe heroes for 2026
Our very favourite buys on the market right now.
Workwear wardrobes are fascinating because they are inherently performative yet bound by a set of invisible restraints. Even in the most creative of work settings, there is inevitably an expectation placed on what you should/shouldn’t wear. It can make finding clothes you want to wear to work feel a lot like…well, work.
But we’re living in a time of wardrobe fluidity: your work slacks can form the basis of your weekend look. Your trusty work blazer can take your slouchy jeans on a date night. That is, if you look for the right workwear staples — ones that will offer true versatility through cut, colour, fabrication and detail.
So, this week, we bring you our definitive workwear edit for 2026.
We’ll preface this edit by saying that it caters specifically to women who work in “office” settings or those who have client or customer-facing moments built into their working lives. If you’re someone whose work is hermetically sealed from the outside world, you can probably get away with wearing just about anything (or nothing at all?!). Likewise, if your work requires a uniform or utility-based clothes - we offer out sincerest and maddest respect, but this will not be the edit for you.
Below the paywall this week, you’ll find:
7 light jackets — including one that has been going off in the homeroom group chat this week
12 knits — including 5 polo knits that feel absolutely essential right now
6 chic tops — the kind you can wear forever, and easily layer under your light jacket
7 shirts — not boring ones, cool ones you’ll want to wear on the weekend too
11 pairs of trousers — ranging from relaxed, slouchy, tailored options
6 midi skirts — including the best fringed and lace-hemmed options we’ve seen lately
4 pairs of shorts — the long-line short lives another season, friends
4 dresses — beautiful, simple, timeless options that don’t feel stuffy
For inspiration on how to wear workwear in 2026, check out Sophie’s moodboard below.
Other older Pinterest workwear boards here and summer edit here.
Ok, onto the edit!
Light jackets for quick thinking
Blazers are safe, but expected. A clean, crisp light outer layer in a technical fabrication is where it’s at in 2026. Cool, calm, collected…and when worn closed, they can double as a top all of their own. We’re looking for options with forward point collars or funnel neck options for a point of interest near the face. This Friends With Frank number has had the group chat in a spin since one of our members purchased it.
HENNE / Emile Jacket – $389
BASSIKE / Cropped Twill Jacket – $595
SCANLAN THEODORE / Tech Trench Bomber – $650
FRIENDS WITH FRANK / The Penelope Cropped Trench – $449
FRIENDS WITH FRANK / The Lou Coat – $599
VENROY / Tailored Wool Zip Suit Jacket – $280
ASSEMBLY LABEL / Waverly Jacket – $180
Knitwear for every need
Stick to fine knits (leave the chunky knits for weekend slouch). The Miu Miu / Tory Burch-ified collared polo effect continues to dominate here — think: pointed collars and delicate buttons in sorbet and primary colours, worn with slouchy trousers for a combo of prep and cool. Give oversized knits office legitimacy by pairing them with tailoring and lace-trimmed layers.
BASSIKE / Cashmere Linen Polo – $450
FRIENDS WITH FRANK / The Imogen Knit – $389
OROTON / Short Sleeve Knit Polo – $169
BASSIKE / Knitted Cotton Baby Polo – $240 (on sale)
HENNE / Daphne Top – $229
HENNE / Ines V Neck Jumper – $189
KLOKE / Overflow Knit – $369
SCANLAN THEODORE / Babywool Polo – $160
\KLOKE / Descend Merino Knit – $359
ELKA COLLECTIVE / Victoria Cardigan – $179
WYNN HAMLYN / Double Up Rib Cardigan – $450
HENNE / Ettore Vest – $169
Tops that give your shirts a break
If we had a dollar for every time we were tasked with finding a non-boring work top, we’d have enough money to buy…well, one of the non-boring work tops below. This is such an overlooked category of your work wardrobe, but owning just a couple of options will give you excellent mileage for everything from client meetings to after-work drinks. With sleeveless styles (ideal for layering under light jackets), look for high necks and draping to add interest. That Harris Tapper number haunts our dreams.
