Working Girl

Chic skirt suits to wear back to the office this September.

“We have a uniform: Simple, elegant, impeccable.”

I love a matching set. The make you look pulled together even when you feel frazzled. The last two Augusts, I bought a bunch of knit cardigan and skirt sets that I wore to death. This year, the skirt suit is the new look and I’ve already bought two.

I’ve been reading a lot of stories about companies requiring their employees to return to the office this fall as well. The uncertain economic climate is giving them leverage to end remote work. I also saw one of my old interior design clients last week who will be starting a new tech job in San Francisco that will require her to go into the office four days a week.

So, I’ll be trying to advise you on what to wear when you have to give up your work from home outfits but still want to be comfortable for your commute and cubicle. I think I’m uniquely qualified to give this advise since I’m probably one of the few influencers who actually worked in a corporate office for years. There was a dress code and the understanding that if you are dealing with clients and multi-million dollar deals, you should look professional. This experience is probably one of the reasons why I still don’t leave the house unless I’m pulled together.

Putting on a beautifully designed suit elevates my spirit, extols my sense of self, and helps define me as a person to whom details matter.

– Gay Talese

I rewatched one of my favorite films in preparation for this post. I root for secretary Tess McGill in Working Girl just like everyone else but I love executive Katherine Parker’s style and fashion advice, “we have a uniform: Simple, elegant, impeccable. 'Dress shabbily, they notice the dress. Dress impeccably, they notice the woman.' Coco Chanel.”

It wasn’t until this most recent rewatch that I noticed that Tess wears Katherine’s entire suit outfit, with a different blouse, when she tries to make a business deal in her absence. This clearly follows the old adage, dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

“If you can’t be better than your competition, just dress better.”

– Anna Wintour

Flannel blazer, midi skirt, kitten heels, bag, phone case, glasses, watch, earrings, and lipstick.

These are the two skirt suits I’ve bought so far for fall.

Unfortunately, The H&M Long Jacket and matching Midi Skirt on the left are already sold out but you can bookmark them in case they come back into stock. I’m so glad I didn’t snooze on this set because it has the perfect 90s Armani/Calvin Klein feeling for an amazing price.

I love grey for fall and winter since it’s not as harsh as black. It also doesn’t show lint as much as black and looks good with my honey/caramel colored hair. This is why I immediately ordered the ‘S Max Mara Flannel Blazer and matching Flannel Midi Skirt as soon as I saw it on Mytheresa.

They key to keep things from looking too conservative is to add a modern shoe like the Aeyde Pointed Toe Pumps. They have a low heel since not many women are wearing very high all day in the office. I also like lighter colored shoes with grey for early fall instead of black.

I keep telling myself that I don’t need a new bag this fall but I really love this burgundy Saint Laurent Sac de Jour Bag. I think it’s nice to carry a smaller bag to work that is separate from your work tote or laptop bag so you looked pulled together for lunch meetings.

I also think it’s important to consider all your accessories for work including your phone case. I get all mine from the same Etsy vendor and they all look more expensive than they cost. I love this new Crocodile Case for fall.

Screens are probably ruining all our eyes so if you need glasses now, these Cat Eye Frames are a chic option.

I like to buy myself a gift when I finish a project or have a big career achievement. This Cartier Panthère de Cartier Watch would be a great gift for yourself this year.

A simple but not boring pair of Gold Earrings are lovely way to frame your face.

I wouldn’t wear a heavy face of makeup to work but some makeup does help you look pulled together. This Tom Ford Slim Lip Color Shine is a nice shade for the office.

“You can never be overdressed or overeducated.”

– Oscar Wilde

Here are some other very chic skirt suit options for going back to work.

Blazer, skirt, shoes, bag, phone case, glasses, earrings, and nail polish.

If I hadn’t already bought two grey skirt suits, I would definitely buy this one from Rue Sophie. I love the fabric and the cuff detail on the skirt hem. You could wear it with sheer stockings and black flats as shown or with any of the shoes in this post. You can also mix and match the jackets and blazers with trousers and even jeans on the weekend. I’d layer a washable stretch silk tank underneath.

“It is both delusional and stupid to think that clothes don’t really matter and we should all wear whatever we want. Most people don’t take clothing seriously enough, but whether we should or not, clothes do talk to us and we make decisions based on people’s appearances.”

– G. Bruce Boyer

Jacket, skirt, kitten heels, bag, phone case, glasses, earrings, and perfume.

I would suggest this relaxed skirt suit if you need to be at a conference all day or have to dress up while traveling. It’s a comfortable and forgiving fabric that won’t wrinkle as much as traditional suit fabric. I’d pair it with a thin black cashmere turtleneck.

“Dressing well is a form of good manners.”

– Tom Ford

Blazer, midi skirt, kitten heels, bag, phone case, glasses, earrings, and powder.

I’d suggest this brown suit if you’re younger or work in a more creative field. Because brown can sometimes be seen as boring, I would add fun and colorful accessories.

“What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language.”

— Miuccia Prada

Blazer, skirt, kitten heels, bag, phone case, glasses, earrings, and concealer.

This is another skirt suit that could go conservative or cool depending on your styling. Add a v-neck silk tank underneath in September and a cashmere sweater when it gets cooler. I like how they belted it when they styled it too. You can play around with what feels best for you and will be appropriate for your industry.

“Good clothes open all doors.”

―Thomas Fuller in 1732

Jacket, skirt, pumps, bag, phone case, glasses, earrings, lip compact.

This jacket is definitely a work to weekend style that can be worn in a myriad of ways this fall. You could also style it with this tan leather bag and these suede pumps.

"You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it."

– Edith Head

Blazer, skirt, kitten heels, bag, phone case, glasses, ring, and lipstick.

If you are an executive in a creative field with a bigger budget, this suit is for you. I love the skirt detail. If you want to match the styled image, try these yellow flats.

"If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good. If you play good, they pay good"

- Deion Sanders

Since the dot com era and the pandemic, casual clothes have ruled the roost but this fall, maybe it’s time to put more effort into our outfits. I definitely think dressing well and professionally makes a difference in your performance level even when you are working from home so why not give it a try this September.

XOXO,

HC

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