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Whether your office dress code is formal or casual, there are a few executive workwear staples that every CEO should have in their closet.
As a stylist, I’ve tested and tried countless brands and pieces of clothing on myself and my clients. I’ve found that when it comes to executive business attire, some essentials work for everyone.
Before I share my executive workwear must-haves, let’s discuss the style system that will take your professional brand to the next level.
The Easy Executive Workwear Style System
If you have the right strategy and pieces in your closet, great style is easy.
The Next Level Wardrobe Executive Image Style System helps CEOs create confident, powerful looks for the office.
The first step in our Executive Style System is to focus on essentials.
The goal is to invest in classic pieces that match your lifestyle and professional goals. These pieces will be the backbone of your closet.
With a minimalist wardrobe filled with high quality essentials, you’ll be able to make more outfits with less stuff.
Next, you should focus on core colors (navy, grey, white, and black) and well-fitted, tailored clothes.
With the Next Level Wardrobe system, you can enhance and define your professional brand to show the best version of yourself.
So, what pieces and brands do I recommend for my clients’ executive closets?
Versatile Sweaters In Core Colors
Photo Credit: Mr. Porter
If you want to create a simple, but powerful work attire wardrobe, a few high-quality sweaters in core colors are essential.
Why do I recommend sweaters?
Not only do they look sophisticated, they are also versatile.
For example, you can pair your sweater with a blazer or a button-down shirt underneath. Styling your sweater like this will add formality to your look.
Likewise, you can easily transition a sweater from the office to the weekend. Sweaters pair equally well with jeans or trousers.
When it comes to men’s and women’s executive workwear, a high-quality sweater is a modern and polished workwear basic.
If you’re looking to purchase a new sweater, brands like Vince and Theory offer luxurious and high-quality options for both men and women.
To make sure your sweater works year-round, I recommend cashmere or a cashmere blend. It’s a natural, breathable material so you won’t overheat in warmer months.
Photo Credit: Nordstrom
Professional & Collared Shirts
Photo Credit: Equipment
A professional shirt or blouse is an executive workwear must-have.
While blouses, polos, and button-downs have been workwear staples for a long time, they’re still a great pick for clients even if they work virtually.
A collared shirt looks professional and put together, without looking too casual or overdressed.
Though this might seem like a small detail, how we dress is important for professional growth. In fact, studies show that how we dress affects our behavior and how we are perceived.
As a virtual stylist, this is one of my favorite pieces to recommend to clients.
To get this closet essential, try Equipment for women’s shirts and Bonobo’s for men.
Photo Credit: Mr. Porter
Blazers in Core Colors
Photo Credit: Mr. Porter
Photo Credit: Net-A-Porter
If you want to dress like a leader, few things are more powerful than a blazer.
If your office has a more formal dress code, you might want to have a few blazers to rotate between. In a more casual office, just one blazer might be enough.
For executive workwear, I recommend that you invest in blazers in core colors (grey, white, black, and navy).
These versatile colors allow you to easily mix and match your jackets with the rest of your closet. Ideally, your blazer should also be well-made and tailored to fit you.
Consider investing a bit more in this piece. This is a basic that will last a long time and clients wear it often. Suitsupply has high-quality jacket options for men. For women, Nili Lotan has excellent blazers.
Executive workwear is something that has to be personalized. A one-size-fits-all office wardrobe doesn’t exist. Instead, working professionals need to evaluate their needs and goals to create a classic, low-maintenance wardrobe.
In my Executive Style System, I help clients determine which pieces are essential to their closet based on their lifestyle, office dress code, professional goals, the climate they live in, and their brand.
To create an executive wardrobe that makes you look and feel your best, apply for Next Level Wardrobe’s Image Consulting Services.
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Cassandra Sethi is a NYC Personal Stylist and Image Consultant. After working over 15 years in the Fashion Industry, most recently as a Senior Buyer for Equinox, she created her business, Next Level Wardrobe – a luxury personal shopping service for successful professionals.
Next Level Wardrobe has been featured in Wall Street Journal, Today and CNN. See here.
