What To Wear To The Office This Autumn, According To A Stylist
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3 hours ago
It's time to shed those summer layers
Goodbye summer, hello autumn. Just when you finally mastered sunny office attire, things are set to shake up once again: cold mornings, balmy afternoons and quickly cooling evenings are a recipe for a wardrobe disaster. Especially in the office. Lucky for you, we’re well-versed in seasonal sartorial codes in the workplace. Here, we bring you our ultimate guide to what to wear to the office this autumn, as well as our list of 2026 wardrobe staples and top tips from a stylist.
Autumn Office Attire: A Guide
It’s not just the kids expected back at their desks this September. It’s time for an official return to work – and a return to officewear staples. ‘It all feels a little “back to school” come autumn, but in terms of fashion it’s a bit of a relief,’ says stylist and freelance fashion editor Ursula Lake. ‘There are only so many linen sets and summer dresses we can wear to the office, and this summer we’ve worn a lot of them. If you’re like me, you’re probably itching to pull on some layers and tap into a trend or two.’
And while we don’t have a school uniform to rely on, there are plenty of office codes to turn to when inspiration is lacking. That means swapping shorts for tailored trousers and skirts, dropping T-shirts in favour of actual shirts, and kicking off the sandals so that you can step back into your loafers.
The Autumn Shopping List
To kick off your autumn office wardrobe, Ursula suggests building a capsule around these core pieces:
- A Good Suit: ‘Tailoring is never out of place in the office, and the great news is that the runway is also rife with plenty of suiting inspiration this season,’ notes the stylist. ‘If Dior, Chanel and Balenciaga have done it, expect it to filter into the high street too.’
- A Cosy Scarf: ‘This is your entry level accessory,’ says Ursula. ‘One style note I’m really loving for the season is fringing – which has been on trend for a while, but really elevates a look. Think a thick silk scarf with a fringed end.’
- Fuller Trousers: A wider, fuller leg is back in fashion, says Ursula, ‘but harem and balloon trousers might be a bridge too far in the office, so maybe just go for more flattering styles like wide leg or barrel.’
- Autumn Reds: ‘Colour wise, I would add in something from the palette from aubergine to claret your wardrobe to hit this trend,’ suggests the stylist. ‘It will look great with all the staple neutrals you already have in your wardrobe.’
A Stylist’s Top Tips: What To Wear To The Office In Autumn
Layering Is Crucial
‘Layering is always something that gets mentioned when we go from season to season, but in autumn it’s even more necessary,’ says Ursula. Autumn days usually jump from cold to hot (and then back again), so it’s best to be prepared for all temperatures when navigating the office at this time.
And lucky for us, there’s plenty of inspiration on the runway. ‘This year layering has catwalk credentials,’ the stylist explains. ‘Especially when it comes to pairings of slightly less orthodox items. Think of dresses over trousers and fitted tops over billowy shirts. This will work well in the office too, and will be practical when summer heatwaves become a distant memory.’
Invest In A Good Jacket
She also suggests having a jacket on hand to fend off the approaching autumn chill. ‘My top choice is a double breasted blazer or jacket,’ says Ursula. ‘A nice oversized version lets you wear thicker layers underneath, and will be come your saving grace until the temperature slides into winter proper.’
Up Your Shirt Game
And underneath the jacket? A silky shirt, of course. ‘Satin shirts are one of the top trends for autumn,’ emphasises Ursula. ‘It can easily be added into your working wardrobe and appeals to both formal and business casual dress codes. My top inspirations are Tom Ford-era Gucci and Gillian Anderson in The Fall.’
Cover Up
Cold weather in, shorts OUT. ‘Let’s cover up a bit more now,’ encourages Ursula. ‘We’ve had our moment in the endless sun, and it’s time to put the casual summer clothes away. (They were never appropriate in the office anyway!).’
