Office-Wear Offenders
The 10 most common workwear habits that quietly undermine credibility — and exactly what to wear instead.
We’re not judging! Dressing well for work is harder than it looks. Keeping up with fashion is a full time job (ours!) and you simply have better things to do than digging through endless fashion content. That’s why these faux pas happen: not because you don’t care, but because you have more important things to attend to besides your wardrobe. We’ve all been there — ticking the “professional” box and moving on.
But here’s the thing: when you know what to look for, those quiet misses become easy wins. That’s where we come in. We spend our time dissecting runways, trend forecasts, brand drops, lookbooks, red carpet moments and street style — all the noise that shapes what’s next — so you don’t have to. We translate it all into simple edits, capsules, and systems for effortless workwear that breathes authority.
#1 The Nondescript Blazer
Many features make or break a blazer: the shape and height of the lapel, the shoulder line, the waist cut, button placement, single vs. double-breasted balance — at least ten small dimensions where good design shows. The so-called “timeless” blazer picks the least controversial option on each and ends up a patchwork of non-decisions.
They pitch it as timeless, but it’s really flavorless. It’s a blazer, so you tick the box — but you’re not making anyone tick. It looks like it was borrowed from HR’s abandoned coat closet.
Each season, top brands lead the way with specific — and work-friendly — blazer evolutions worth studying. The latest, sharpest ones are rounded up in our Jackets Edit.
The good news: jacket cuts do rotate — and styles always come back around. If you’ve invested in quality and stored it well, your best pieces will find their moment again.
#2 The Random Pattern
Patterns and prints tell time. They reveal in which era you got dressed. You don’t have to be Miranda Priestly to see it — trends are visible to everyone. When one shows up in random florals (and yes, florals can be in fashion, but only in very specific ways), it just reads as bottom of the bin.
We get it, it’s the quickest way to inject color and show some effort in an otherwise neutral wardrobe. But unless the pattern is intentional — calibrated to the mood of the moment — it reads as trying hard with no idea where to start.
Replace randomness with intent. We’re not anti-pattern — just pro-relevance. When prints align with the current aesthetic vocabulary, they can be brilliant. And yes, this season, even polka dots made it to work — with some heavy fine-tuning. See our Wardrobe Edit for the rare patterns that earn their place at the moment.
#3 The Stretch Top
The stretch top clings in all the wrong places — but you tell yourself it’s just a layer under the blazer, until the A/C breaks down and you have to take it off. Suddenly, you’re Lululemon when you should be Lazard. Even as an underlayer, with its flat, uninspired neckline, it undermines tailoring — underwear pretending to be proper wear — and includes its corporate cousin, the stretch button-up: tight seams and buttons straining to keep the peace.
We get it. It feels harmless, discreet, comfortable and travels well. It’s just meant to be something not frumpy and simply slim under a blazer, and somewhere along the way, the idea of fit got mistaken for tight.
Keep the stretch for layering only. For anything visible, reach for fine-gauge knits, crepe, compact cottons, or matte silks with a bit of tension and structure. These days, fine-gauge polos offer a nice alternative if you really can’t stand a blouse or shirt on that day.
#4 The All-Over-The-Place-Neither-Nor Blouse
Two equal and opposite sins dominate the blouse aisle. On one side: the blouse that tries to do it all — lace, bow, ruffle... You lose your outline under the embellishment, and what was meant to say “feminine detail” ends up screaming “hot mess”.
On the other side: the popover blouse, the ultimate non-decision: half-shirt, half-tunic, with a placket that leads nowhere and a collar that can’t commit (and is flattering to absolutely no one). It’s the sartorial equivalent of a shrug and simply reads lazy.
We get it. They both promise effortless femininity. They feel like shortcuts to style — one overcompensates, the other underdelivers.
The fix is simple: one distinctive feature at a time. And preferably, keep the interest near the neck — no pretty wrist ruffles, please. This season offers beautiful options built around a singular intentional detail — bows, ties, and ruffle collars done right — so you can have your moment without losing your shape. Almost always, keep it in a plain color. See our Blouse Edit for more.
#5 The TV-Anchor Block-Color Dress
Saturated jewel tones plus stiff jersey were designed for the specific constraints of camera and TV viewing. But in real life, the result feels corporate without being chic — Crayola vibes, completely oblivious to color trends (Pantone, anyone?).
We get it. The corporate wardrobe is starving for color. Monochrome feels like a safe way to add some, and one-zip dressing promises “easy polish.” But this look was built for broad-access on-screen appeal not for refined conference rooms, board presentations, or client lunches.
Keep the simplicity, lose the broadcast saturation. Start by choosing a color that’s actually of the moment. If it’s dark, by all means indulge in monochrome — but let the fabric have structure, not stretch. Close-fitting is fine; tight never is. See our Dresses Edit for versions that project quiet authority without looking ready to read the evening news.
#6 The Wrap Dress
This one’s controversial. Every once in a while, it does work (generally with boots). Conceptually, it’s timeless; in reality, it’s rarely flattering. Too soft, too clingy, too casual. It was designed for movement, but in most modern fabrics it just slumps. The truth is, it requires perfect styling and a strong dose of accessories to lift it from beachwear to boardroom — and even then, it’s often more “resort” than “resolve.”
We get it. Diane von Fürstenberg made it iconic, and she absolutely rocked it. It’s easy to wear, technically fits (we didn’t say “suits) every body type, and allows movement. It promises “feminine and professional” in one go — and delivers a little too much of the first, not enough of the second.
What to do instead: borrow the idea of the wrap, not the dress. Pair soft pleated or wrap-style skirts with structured tops or fine knits — you’ll keep the fluidity but restore the intention.
#7 The Internship Interview Pearl Set
Reads as dated, literal, and overly proper — so safe it’s practically apologizing. What once signaled polish now signals hesitation.
We get it. We were told it’s “classic” and “professional.” It’s what every 1L wore to an interview, and it’s hard to replace when you don’t want statement jewelry or fear making a faux pas.
But the rules have evolved. Modern pearls are irregular, organically shaped, or intentionally mismatched — often paired with what used to be off-limits, like diamonds or crystals. The new code is about contrast: think asymmetry, texture, imperfection. Find our Pearls edit.
#8 Bad Quality Leather
Flimsy, peeling, shiny — it betrays you instantly. Shoes and bags are major credibility items; they speak before you do. You can’t fake grain, edge finish, or structure — and when they collapse, so does the impression.
We get it. You just want a simple pair of shoes or a simple tote bag, and affordable versions exist. In neutral colors, the flaws hide just long enough to justify the purchase — until they don’t.
For this one, there’s no shortcut to buying fewer but better. Good leather ages beautifully and holds its form, developing patina instead of fatigue. This is the department where investment pays off — trends barely touch it.
#9 Ballet Flats
They flatten your silhouette, shorten your line, and soften authority. Paired with tailored trousers or skirts, they invariably read either little girl or indoor slippers; even the best trousers lose intention when paired with them.
We get it. They’re comfortable, quiet, feminine — and everywhere. Some are even beautiful (looking at you, Chanel), and they do resurface in fashion with delightful tweaks every few seasons (Alaïa, we see you). So you’d be forgiven for thinking that because some are luxe, they’re appropriate. Luxury ballet flats with the right pair of jeans can be peak effortless chic — but no points for that in the corporate world.
The substitutes change with the season, but generally, a bit of lift makes all the difference. This season, if you want to keep heels minimal, go for a sculpted kitten heel. And if you like a rounder toe but want presence, our Mary Janes Edit delivers authority without giving up charm.
#10 The Non Luxury Hardware
Branded hardware on mid-tier accessories (shoes, belts, bags, etc.) signals aspiration, not achievement. It’s loud without credibility — and usually without quality either. The shine wears off quickly, literally and metaphorically.
We get it. In a sea of dark corporate colors, hardware is one of the easiest ways to lift an outfit (and we’re the first to agree that a touch of metal can do wonders). “Affordable luxury” — an oxymoron in our world but a full retail category nonetheless — promises the look without the price and it’s hard to resist when logos dominate the market.
What to do instead: either make it luxury if you keep the (minimal) hardware, or drop the logo, either way ensure minimum craftsmanship. Opt for clean lines, discreet stitching, and quiet materials.