Fashion
The Best Fall Work Outfits for Mastering Your 9 to 5
Some would argue that autumn is the best time of the year to get dressed for work. The humidity of summer has finally disappeared, the fall foliage makes the commute more picturesque, and it’s just chilly enough to warrant some chic layers—no coat required. We can pull out our favorite heels or boots without worrying about the sludge of snow or frigid temperatures to come.
This year, we’re looking towards the runways to inspire our fall work outfits. Michael Kors offered a masterclass in fall dressing, layering hoodies under blazers and tucking billowy button-up shirts into skirts and trousers. Ralph Lauren showed us how to incorporate fall textures and colors into our wardrobes with tailored suits and jackets in chocolate brown suede. And Prada gave us a lesson in the power of color with looks like a vibrant red blouse layered underneath a knitted vest.
This fall, balance out your usual dark-hued wardrobe with a jolt of color. Elevate your classic pieces with new accessories, like a belt from The Row or a set of gold hoop earrings from Laura Lombardi. Don’t be shy; show your personality. Ahead, shop the best fall work outfits of the season.
A Kelly Green Sweater and a Suede Midi Skirt
Juxtaposing a bright green sweater with a sumptuous suede skirt—now that’s colorblocking for fall. Anchor the look with Demellier’s new East-West handbag and finish off the outfit with gold jewelry and menswear-style loafers.
A Powder Blue Poplin Shirt and a Minimalist Trench
A button-down shirt in powder blue is the workweek equivalent of your weekend white tee—it goes with everything and you can easily dress it up or down. Another Tomorrow’s trench coat will let you brave unpredictable fall downpours in style, and even better, it’s convertible, so you can turn it into a cropped jacket or a sleeveless coat.
All In on Brown
Caramel, chocolate suede, latte—you name it, every shade of brown is appropriate for your fall office look. Scarf coats continue to be an ongoing trend and their two-in-one silhouette makes it easy to protect your neck from the brisk wind.
A Corduroy Jacket and a Shirt Dress
You can never go wrong with a shirt dress for the office. This Dries Van Noten one is a repeat-wear waiting to happen with its ruched silhouette and unique pin detail. I suggest pairing it with this midnight blue corduroy blazer from Alexa Chung’s latest Madewell drop.
A Bright Red Jacket and Timeless Accessories
Sometimes all you need to freshen up your look is a jolt of color. This crimson jacket from Maje is a comfortable and tailored alternative to a traditional blazer. It acts as a hero piece in your look, so all you need to do is build around it with small accessories, like a gold watch and belt.
A Collarless Blazer and a Leather Midi Skirt
One of the newer trends to hit this season is the collarless, ladylike blazer. We love Aligne’s Daphne blazer, which we’ve heard is a frequent sellout from the London-based brand. Mix up the textures and pair it with a leather skirt and knee-high boots.
Masterful Layering Is Key
Take a cue from Michael Kors and layer a hoodie underneath a blazer for extra warmth, or opt for Zara’s hybrid version that comes ready to go. Sculptural and dynamic accessories like Loewe’s Onda heels and Agmes’s silver cuff add extra dimension to your look in small but meaningful ways.
Julie Tong is the Senior Commerce Content Lead at Harper’s BAZAAR overseeing digital shopping content across fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. She has over 10 years of fashion industry experience and is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism (B.A.). Prior to joining the Harper’s BAZAAR team, Julie spent five years at Vogue to launch their inaugural digital shopping vertical. She has honed her fashion expertise and skills at a variety of fashion institutions over the years from Interview magazine to Yahoo Style, Karla Otto, Who What Wear, and more.