You can tell a lot about a person's job by what they wear to work, so we asked a lawyer, a real estate analyst, a PR manager, and twelve other professionals to give us the dish on what they wear when they're on the job.
On A Typical Day To Work I Wear
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Lisa Raylesberg, Brand Strategy Consultant at Interbrand
I'm in the marketing/advertising world, so looking polished and professional yet chic is key. I like to wear outfits that are seamless from daytime internal meetings to a post-work client dinner to a hot date. This means mostly fitted, curve-hugging dresses with heels and a cardigan or blazer that I can keep on at the office and slip off after.
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Nicole Moke, PR Manager at Equinox
Although I work for a fitness company, sadly it's not well received to prance around in spandex all day. On a typical workday, I'm running to shoots and rushing up and down city blocks; I need not only to be comfortable in my attire but, more importantly, chic and presentable. I tend to go for body conscious comfort from brands like Helmut Lang, Alexander Wang, and Rag & Bone because I find their skirts and dresses versatile and easy to wear. A go-to for me would be a slouchy dress like this one. And while I often wear heels to enhance my 5-foot frame, I prefer a flat biker boot like this Jimmy Choo pair.
Oh, and I almost exclusively wear black. Can't really go wrong there, right?
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Michael Kors Black Knit Rabbit Fur Poncho Product 1 5184009 304688821_medium_flex
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Lisa Mazzanti, Senior Real Estate Analyst
Though most analysts are men, I like to wear professional attire with unmistakably feminine touches that stay true to my nature. Pencil skirts that zip about halfway up the calf, a button-down/tie-neck blouse, and a lightweight cashmere scarf are all versatile staples in my wardrobe and, since I always find the office to be cold (whether it's winter or they're blasting the A/C in the summer), I keep a rabbit fur poncho (similar to this one), on the back of my chair to slip on and off when I am sitting at my desk. The more comfortable and professional you feel at work, the better products you will produce and the more respect you will command...at least that's one piece of the puzzle, anyway!
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Meghan Cross, Communications Director at Stylecaster
I like to keep my work attire conservative with neutral tones like black and camel, but I throw a little funk in there by mixing and matching textures. Working at a digital media company that's style-centric, I usually reach for versatile pieces that can take me from meetings to cocktails. My favorite go-tos are my Ralph Lauren suede skirt, patterned Wolford tights (the 'Dana' style ones are my favorites!), low boots or Del Torro flats, and any fun statement necklace from my grandmother's drawer. During the summer, I like to throw in pops of color from Donna Gorman.
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Boss Black Black Tropical Stretch Wool Dress Product 1 3045479 511265809_large_flex
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Elizabeth Kozersky, Digital Sales Manager at Conde Nast
I made the decision that I would start buying more classic pieces for work — pieces that mix well together, but always seem to tell the same story. I've begun to invest more in tailored black pants and neutral shells/short sleeve sweaters. Then to add a fun twist, while still maintaining a professional profile, I'll add a big chunky necklace. To quickly get me out the door and into my office, chic flats have become my new best friend. Next up for my purchases: black patent cap-toe Chanel flats and a perfect black shift dress.
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Mark Ramadan, Founder of Sir Kensington's Gourmet Scooping Ketchup
There is no typical in the world of gourmet ketchup — if it's a day filled with The Four Seasons and The Peninsula, I'll usually put on a slim Paul Smith suit. Most of the time, I'll keep things casual as I'm in and out of kitchens all day. My personal style leans towards vintage and British, so tweed has become my go-to, like this Rag & Bone jacket.
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Vincent Ugaro, Sales Associate at Saks Fifth Avenue
My father once told me that "clothes make the man, but shoes make the outfit — don't forget that," and I never have, which may explain my penchant for good shoes; a personal favorite is Prada, their boots and loafers especially. I usually despise black, but something which has become part of my daily uniform is a black wool knit jacket from Uniqlo, very unstructured like a cardigan, with a kilt pin I stuck through the lapel. A nice upgrade would be a cashmere sport jacket from Z Zegna with sweet patch pockets.
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Mikael Hamoui, Founder of Ditsies
I'm currently wearing grey jeans and a V-neck...and I wear that just about every day with the one exception being when I work from Soho Beach House, in which case I wear a bathing suit.
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Julide Oztap, Director of Marketing and Lead Generation at Integra Realty Resources
I'm always going to client and prospective client lunches and dinners so I usually wear a sleek dress with a simple black blazer over it. I always wear heels. I'm currently eyeing these amazing Gucci shoes.
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Divya Jayachandran, Intellectual Property Associate
I typically wear cropped trousers and a silk button-down blouse. Usually one of the two is printed — unusual prints are my weakness. I like to pair these with drivers, a long, but simple, necklace, and my oversized watch. However, in case I need to meet with clients or go to court last minute, I always have a jacket and heels stashed away at work. I recently bought this blouse. The fancy sword print coupled with my two favorite work colors (cream and burgundy) made it an easy choice, even at full price!
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Tony Alcindor, VP of Marketing & Communications at Norisol Ferrari
For Fall/Winter my go-to piece without question is a fitted turtleneck. I have about 25 in different colors and about 11 are in black. Hugo Boss' fitted cashmere blend is one of my faves — paired with black jeans by 7 for All Mankind, black boots by either Tom Browne or Christian Dior, and a black single button blazer, it is simple and timeless. I can go straight from work to out for the night.
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Amanda Kross, Senior Strategist at Brightspot Strategy
I work for a creative start-up so I try to keep my daily business attire casual yet professional and edgy enough for meetings with architects and clients. I tend to stick to neutral palettes with a statement bag or necklace. I have been living in my Rag and Bone Newbury boots, which I pair with skinny jeans, a button up silk blouse, necklace, and a vintage coat so that it transitions well from the office, client site, to dinner and drinks.
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Paul Pierson, Architect, Event, and Furniture Designer
I work in the tropics and my days can include any or all of the following: private office meetings, windy construction site checks at the beach, drinks at the sidewalk bar to let rush hour go by, or black tie events with clients. I usually wear long sleeve shirts (ready to be rolled up for on-site visits) and a rain resistant/wind breaker for unexpected thunderstorms, and then I'll change into my formal wear for the evening.
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Jane
I'm very lucky not to have to adhere to any strict corporate dress code. To me, the perfect workday outfit is one that is comfortable yet still looks professional, sleek and polished, because you never know what meetings may come up throughout the day or who may pop into the office unannounced. I love to pair somewhat dressy yet comfy shoes like wedge boots with black skinny jeans and a great silk top or sweater, but feel my best in a perfect loose-fitting silk dress, like the Alec Dress or Dylan Maxi Dress by Rae Francis. There is something so effortlessly chic about a buttoned up shirtdress accentuated with the right accessories.
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James Corbett, Owner James Corbett Studio & Spa
Since I color hair for a living, I tend to ruin my clothes quite fast, especially my shirts! But I try to wear something that is fashionable and interesting without being too dressy or too casual. I try to wear black shirts or sweaters as that helps my tops last a bit longer. Lately, I am really into embracing color in my pants, I am loving and getting tons of compliments from clients on my rust and purple cords from Club Monaco.
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Jane Lerman, Founder LER PR
I'm very lucky not to have to adhere to any strict corporate dress code. To me, the perfect workday outfit is one that is comfortable yet still looks professional, sleek and polished, because you never know what meetings may come up throughout the day or who may pop into the office unannounced. I love to pair somewhat dressy yet comfy shoes like wedge boots with black skinny jeans and a great silk top or sweater, but feel my best in a perfect loose-fitting silk dress, like the Alec Dress or Dylan Maxi Dress by Rae Francis. There is something so effortlessly chic about a buttoned up shirtdress accentuated with the right accessories.
