Skip the Suit! See 9 Inventive Star-Inspired Outfits to Wear to Work This Fall
In an office environment that calls for black blazers, crisp button-downs, and straitlaced pencil skirts, it's way too easy to get sucked into wearing the same tired things, day in and day out. That's why we've turned to our favorite style stars to give us a fresh perspective on standard-issue workwear.
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Take Olivia Palermo's look, for starters. She proved that it is, in fact, possible to sport leather at the office—when the tough material is cut in a traditional workwear silhouette. She grounded her below-the-knee leather pencil with a basic gray top and elevated it with nude ankle-strap pumps. And if your office dress code tends to be a bit more liberal, bring on the double leather! Casually drape a studded moto jacket over your shoulders, just as Palermo does above.
From exaggerated wide-leg pants to fuzzy pink tweed jackets, learn how to get sartorially creative at the office from the very best.
Lightweight Tee + Leather Pencil
Yes, it is possible to sport leather at the office, but only when the tough material is cut in a traditional workwear silhouette. Olivia Palermo, for instance, slipped on a below-the-knee leather pencil that she grounded with a classic gray top. If your office dress code skews liberal, double on leather and drape a studded moto jacket to round out your look. Shop the look below:
Leather jacket: Scotch amp Soda, $579; scotch-soda.com
Top: Chinti amp Parker, $110; chintiandparker.com
Skirt: J.Crew, $295; jcrew.com
Clutch: A.P.C., $280; shopbop.com
Pumps: Schutz, $180; schutz-shoes.com
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Polished Pink Jacket + Mini Skirt
- Alexa Chung's fuzzy pink tweed jacket does three things: 1. it adds polish and instant elevation; 2. it delivers a delightful dose of color; and 3. it gives her look a feminine flair (but not excessively so). It's a triple-win! Shop the look below:
- Jacket: Tory Burch, $450; toryburch.com
- Turtleneck: Joe Fresh, $19; joefresh.com
- Skirt: River Island, $50; riverisland.com
- Backpack: Fiorelli, $105; asos.com
- Slipper loafers: Del Toro, $295; deltoroshoes.com
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Floral Blouse + Gray Trousers
- Got a loud blouse? Take a style cue from Rose Byrne and offset its vibrancy with muted pairings, like slate gray menswear-inspired pants that can also neutralize too-girly tops. Shop the look below:
- Blouse: MSGM, $488; thecorner.com
- Pants: Cos, $115; cosstores.com
- Pumps: Aldo, $70; piperlime.com
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White Dress + Statement Accessories
- Who says you can't wear white after Labor Day? Naomie Harris gave her shin-grazing number a fall-ready spin with a dark structured bag and playful ankle-tie pumps. Shop the look below:
- Dress: Rebecca Taylor, $395; rebeccataylor.com
- Bag: Michael Kors, $498; michaelkors.com
- Pumps: Nasty Gal, $130; nastygal.com
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Blazer + Wide-Leg Pants
- Give your skinnies a break! Make like Bella Thorne and bring playfully printed wide-leg, ankle-grazing pants into the workplace with a crisp white blazer and cool brogue-like creepers. Shop the look below:
- Blazer: Zara, $80; zara.com
- Cami: Joe Fresh, $19; joefresh.com
- Pants: Elizabeth and James, $345; net-a-porter.com
- Shoes: Tuk, $75; tukshoes.com
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Blouse + Unique Skirt
- In a sea of blazers and button-downs, a single statement piece can take your look to new heights. Debra Messing switched things up a bit and paired her white blouse with an exquisitely embroidered Nicole Miller leather pencil skirt. We followed her lead and found one with a pretty lace trim. Shop the look below:
- Blouse: Equipment, $218; equipmentfr.com
- Skirt: Reiss, $465; reiss.com
- Pumps: Guess, $178; guess.com
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Coat Dress + Metallic Belt
- Is it a coat or a dress? Coat dresses embody the characteristics of both, taking the whole concept of an "outfit-making" coat to the next level. Conservative, yes, but also incredibly chic. Copy Emma Watson and add modern elements, like a metallic belt, for a contemporary twist. Shop the look below:
- Coat dress: Halston Heritage, $375; net-a-porter.com
- Belt: Express, $30; express.com
- Purse: Coach, $198; coach.com
- Pumps: Madewell, $168; madewell.com
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Chunky Knit + Midiskirt
- The unofficial uniform for fall is a sweater-and-skirt pairing. Jaime King gave a ladylike take with an elegant ivory turtleneck knit and a sweeping midiskirt. Shop the look below:
- Sweater: Wilfred, $165; aritzia.com
- Skirt: Zara, $80; zara.com
- Pumps: Loeffler Randall, $295; loefflerrandall.com
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Crop Top + Blouse + Leather Pants
- Chrissy Teigen perfected layers (the secret to braving the cold) with a cropped knit and a long blouse. For a more office-friendly version of the look, swap out the knit for a more structured top and leather bottoms for tailored trousers. Shop the look below:
- Crop top: Whistles, $255; whistles.com
- Blouse: Uniqlo, $40; uniqlo.com
- Pants: American Eagle, $60; ae.com
- Tote: Alexander Wang, $395; ssense.com
- Heels: L.A.M.B., $255; shoplamb.com