Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Put Your Office Outfit on Auto-Pilot with these Easy-to-Wear Workplace Essentials

Figuring out what to wear to work can be a real head-scratcher. Do you invest in complete outfits? Wing it with separates? Or just try and mimic everything your boss wears? In my opinion, the best way to stave off imposter syndrome (and streamline your workplace attire in the process) is to fill out your closet with some versatile and stylin’ staples.

Snag a few interchangeable basics and you’ll be shocked by the ease with which you can mix-and-match your way to success by creating dozens of different looks that are as fly as you are. Interested in the idea but have no idea where to start? No worries; I’m going to introduce you to my favorite pants, shirts, and jackets that’ll help put your office outfit routine on auto-pilot.

Related Videos

Pants

Dockers Alpha Khaki Pants
Dockers Alpha Original Khaki

A close-fitting, lean cut makes the Alpha Khakis from Dockers an obvious workplace go-to. They’re fun yet professional, trendy yet effortlessly classic, and it doesn’t hurt that they’re infused with four-way stretch for extra mobility. Pair with a simple button down for a laid back look or dress the whole thing up with a dark colored jacket.

Flint and Tinder Cool Chinos

Lightweight, comfortable, and super versatile, the Cool Chinos from Flint and Tinder are a slam dunk for some mix-n-match styling, whether you want to go old school with a turtleneck and suit jacket or casual with a graphic T-shirt. Plus, they feature an open knit that’s incredibly breathable.

Club Monaco Sutton Donegal Herringbone Dress Pants

While the above options are great for most workplace situations, you’ll definitely want to keep a pair of dressier pants around as well, like these from Club Monaco. A herringbone weave makes for an elevated aesthetic that could take any look from 0 to 60 in no time flat, so bring these out for your next one-on-one with the boss.

Shirts

Tommy John Stay Tucked Dress Shirt

Every office outfit rotation needs a streamlined button down, and this one from Tommy John is an absolute winner. Why? Because it’s guaranteed to stay tucked no matter how much you move, resulting in a tailored finish appropriate for any situation.

Duer 9 to 9 Button Down

Another great button down option is the 9 to 9 shirt from Duer. Though it’s currently sold out (sad face), we highly recommend you jump on this the next time it’s available. Not only is it imbued with special cooling and stretch properties, but also happens to look extremely flattering on most guys.

Faherty Stretch Oxford Shirt

For something a little more relaxed, consider this stretch oxford from Faherty. While traditional oxfords are notorious for being stiff and boxy, this bad boy has a looser fit that looks just as good tucked as it does untucked, while still maintaining that air of office-appropriateness.

Jackets

Taylor Stitch Telegraph Jacket in Navy Slub

Looking to boost your workplace look without too much fuss? Then you’ll definitely want to incorporate the Telegraph Jacket from Taylor Stitch into your rotation. An even knit of cotton and wool (plus a lustrous chambray finish) makes this blazer both hip and classic, as appropriate with cuffed jeans and a tee as dress pants and a tie.

Bonobos Tech Blazer

Though it’s always important to build a wardrobe to your personal tastes, there are still some items you’ve just gotta have, one of which is a crisp, clean blazer. Sure, this item may not seem super exciting hanging in your closet, but it’s guaranteed to look damn impressive at your next client meeting. There are a lot of blazer options on the market, but for our money, there’s no better jacket than this one from Bonobos.

Indochino Houndstooth Linen Cotton Blazer

And of course, no office outfit collection would be complete without a little luxury, so why not throw this houndstooth linen cotton blazer from Indochino into the mix. Here, merino wool and premium silk work in concert to create a sumptuous vibe that’s cozy and classy i.e. ideal for stepping up your style game without sacrificing comfort.

And now that you’ve got your office outfits on auto-pilot and are happy with your fashion-forward, but easy look, why not upgrade your workspace while you’re at it?

Editors' Recommendations

How to Buy a Quality Sweater: Material, Types, and Tips
Latin american guy trying out a sweater on top at a men's clothing store.

Having the right sweater to wear with any outfit is kind of like a wine pairing. Can you serve a tasty steak with a wine that’s not a luscious Cabernet Sauvignon? Sure, but it’s just not as perfect. Building a sweater wardrobe is what separates the sartorially proficient from the stylistically sad. We suggest choosing a few key pieces that work with your life, career, and wardrobe, buying the best you can afford, and then taking good care of them. 
Like so many things in life, in sweaters, you usually do get what you pay for. That is not to say that sometimes expensive designer merchandise isn’t made from cheap materials, and what you’re really paying for is a few square inches of logo-embroidered label. Conversely, a store will sometimes sell a well-made sweater of quality yarns as a “loss-leader,” hoping to tempt you into the department to splurge on other things. Without diving too deeply into technical specifications, just keep in mind the following: Natural fibers like wool or cotton, are more expensive than man-made fibers like acrylic, and they also usually hold up better. Before you buy a sweater, turn it inside out: are the seams straight and bound properly, so they won’t come apart easily after a few wears? Does the zipper feel like it could catch easily on the sweater itself? Are the buttons sewn on securely? Beyond that, buy the best you can afford, and hold onto your receipts.  

Exactly What is A Sweater?

Read more
Fall Fashion Picks From DL1961, Falconeri, and Sanctuary
Sanctuary (left) and Falconeri's (right) new fall styles.

With fall colors dropping and autumn pants and shirts popping, this seems like the perfect time to look at a few new seasonal threads that might help to keep the Manual man warm and in vogue as colder days descend.

Sanctuary

Read more
How to Wash a Cashmere Sweater Without Ruining It
Knit cozy sweater folded in a pile on wooden background.

Look, we get it: it can be tempting to never want to wash your best cashmere sweaters. Maybe you had a traumatizing moment with stray knitwear making its way into the dryer. Or maybe you just spent a ton on fancy cashmere and don’t want to risk ruining your investment. We’ve all been there. But the fact remains: sooner or later things are going to get stinky or, even worse, stained and you’re going to need to figure out how to wash cashmere sweaters.

Before you ask, yes you can dry clean cashmere sweaters. (You can dry clean basically anything if you really want to, frankly.) In fact, that little tag inside the waist of your sweater would tell you that’s what you’re supposed to do. Dry cleaning’s got a dark side, though: they use a ton of harsh chemicals to get the stains and odors out of your gear. Over time, these chemicals will start to break down the fibers in your favorite sweater and before you know it, you’ll be way worse off than if you just gritted your teeth and learned how to clean a cashmere sweater yourself in the first place.

Read more