As restrictions loosen up for the year ahead, we’re all expecting to head back to the office a little more frequently. But most companies won’t be having full occupancy. Instead, the new normal is hybrid work, where staff follow a schedule or fluidly switch between working from home or in the office.
For many of us, that means having to dress up once more, as we prepare to return to the office regularly. To ensure your style game is on point, we’ve got a few practical tips to stay and look sharp, at home or in the conference room.
Tip #1: Keep it simple
Just because you’re getting dressed up to meet your colleagues, after months of video calls and remote work, doesn’t mean you have to go overboard.
Keep your looks easy with a full or broken suit. Go casual with a t-shirt, or sharpen up with a poplin cotton shirt for the office. Stick with solid colors if you want to play it safe, or mix it up with a simple pattern like a windowpane check or micro-check.
We predict that this is the year men will be comfortable showing some leg in the office. This suit is made with Goblin OP 2178.
Tip #2: Go casual with style
Some of you may have tried this and gotten raised eyebrows in the office pre-COVID. But now that athleisure and casual wear are firmly part of our culture, it’s not going to be an issue anymore. A suit jacket with shorts makes perfect sense if you’re hopping between the office and your home.
There are some rules to follow if you’re bold enough to try this style. First, check with HR that it’s fine. Second, make sure your shorts aren’t too short. (We suggest a maximum of 4 inches above the knee.) Finally, pair it with slip-ons rather than oxfords (and definitely no open-toed sandals, you’re not headed to the beach).
This tailored bomber jacket, made with Goldfish OP 2114, adds a breezy attitude to your fit. It’s paired with a five-pocket tailored cargo pant made in Pietra OP 2157.
Tip #3: Work the athleisure trend with a custom look
The athleisure trend has been blowing up for several seasons, but working from home has made us embrace it further. Instead of sticking to a standard two- or three-piece suit, try a different style like a custom-fit bomber or Harrington jacket. The benefit of a custom-made jacket is that you can choose to have a heavier lining for cooler temps, or unlined for warmer climates.
Custom making such jackets does require an expert tailor, so we’d recommend that you speak with our partner tailors who are experienced at creating unique styles and looks for their clients.
These looks we’ve created are all made with merino wools from our Eco-Evolution collection. Our wool fabrics are breathable and possess a natural stretch quality that makes it great for any environment or season. But you can also consider casual fabrics such as cotton or linen for a more relaxed look and feel.
One final tip: keep your style consistent at home and at work. After all, it isn’t too much effort to throw on a jacket for a video call at home, and it’s certainly more convenient than tying a Windsor.
For more color or pattern options, check out our other lookbooks or try them with our Styling Tool, to see just how they will look in a suit or as separates.
