When my mom became a widow at 45, the idea of dating again felt almost unthinkable. When you’re married, dating is the furthest thing from your mind—especially when you lose your spouse so young. My mom had assumed that part of her life was long behind her. I’ll never forget her saying, as she hesitated at the thought of re-entering the dating world, “I haven’t dated since Nixon was in the White House,” underscoring just how long it had been since she last thought about it.

It was a funny remark at the time, but as I read the comments from women grappling with the end of remote work after Trump’s executive order—many rethinking their wardrobes—I couldn’t help but be reminded of my mom’s sentiment. Women were scrambling to refresh their work wardrobes, and I couldn’t help but wonder if any of them were thinking, I haven’t bought a suit since Obama was in the White House.

It may seem like a minor concern, but deciding what to wear to the office is actually a significant challenge for many women. In the midst of already overwhelming transitions, figuring out how to dress for the office adds another layer of stress. A recent Business Insider article touched on this, discussing how federal employees, especially women, are feeling the pressure to rebuild their work wardrobes quickly as they prepare for the return-to-office mandate.

And it’s not just federal workers. Many private-sector companies are also tightening their in-office requirements. For example, Barclays has required its 85,000 employees to return to the office three days a week, with customer-facing roles demanding full-time attendance. Dell announced that, as of March 3, 2025, all employees near a Dell office must work on-site five days a week. However, some companies, like Meta, are maintaining hybrid policies, with employees working at least three days a week in-office.

GEARING UP TO RTO: REFRESHING YOUR WORK WARDROBE FOR THE OFFICE COMEBACK

As a personal stylist who specializes in working with women in professional leadership, building work wardrobes is my specialty. With 22 years of experience, I’ve helped countless clients build functional, strategic wardrobes. For most women, figuring out what to wear to work is the last thing they want to deal with when juggling a busy career and home life. As I tell my clients all the time, my job is to make it so they can focus on what really matters and the last thing they have time to do is waste time in the closet.

Not everyone can hire a stylist, though. So, I’m sharing a few key strategies and insights to help you rebuild your work wardrobe for your RTO with intention and efficiency—just like I do for my clients. These principles are designed to simplify your approach while ensuring you get the most out of your wardrobe.

Let’s dive in.

THE FIVE COMPONENTS OF A WORKABLE IN-OFFICE WARDROBE

It’s helpful to keep these five components in mind when shopping for clothes and building back your wardrobe:

  • Versatility – Pieces that mix and match effortlessly, minimizing the need for an overstuffed closet.
  • Ease of Care – Clothing that doesn’t require excessive maintenance (because who has time for that?).
  • Comfort – Outfits that allow you to focus on your work, not adjusting your waistband or shoes all day.
  • Time-Saving – Go-to pieces that make getting dressed in the morning quick and effortless.
  • Cost-Effectiveness – Well-priced, high-quality pieces that last, so you’re investing wisely.

STARTING YOUR RETURN-TO-OFFICE CAPSULE

RTO capsule

I’ve curated a tight selection of pieces to establish a strong foundation that can evolve over time.  When you start with a base that is tight, cohesive, and directed, it’s easier to expand it over time.  Here’s what I prioritized when choosing them:

  • Neutral-Based: A work wardrobe should be anchored in versatile neutrals. To maximize mix-and-match potential, I selected a mid-range grey suit instead of black or navy because it’s an easier color to mix with deeper base neutrals. Grey plays well with both neutrals, giving you more outfit combinations.
  • Minimal Prints: Keep prints to a minimum—at least in the beginning. Prints can be harder to repeat regularly without being noticed, limiting outfit options when your wardrobe is small. If you want to do more with less, start with solids. You can always introduce prints later.
  • Classic & Timeless: Avoid overly trendy or one-and-done pieces. Right now, focus on versatile staples that can be worn multiple ways—for example, a well-cut basic dress instead of a statement piece that’s harder to style multiple ways. Once your foundation is set, you can bring in more unique pieces.

NOTABLE FEATURES OF THE CHOSEN SELECTIONS

I don’t believe there are exact things that every person should have in their wardrobes, so every one of these pieces may not be perfect for you but they will offer you a great starting point to get your mind thinking. Here is that capsule again so you can easily view the pieces while you view the notable features:

  • The Suit: (link to blazer, and pants): Argent’s clothing is created to remove barriers to women’s success.  Their blazers feature smart details, like sleeves that stay up when pushed, and interior pockets.
  • The Navy Pants: Athleta’s Endless Pants are a fan favorite among clients because they are perfectly acceptable workwear pants that wear like athleisure pants.  In fact, I had one client wear them to Pilates after work in her business-casual office.
  • Navy Silk Top: I call Quince’s washable silk tee so dumb it’s brilliant.  It’s the perfect go-to top that is easy-care, easy-wear, and easy to grab and wear with anything.  It comes in a variety of colors.  Act fast, however.  After years of running it, Quince says the top is leaving soon.  I’m not sure what that means, so I messaged them with hope they don’t get rid of it.
  • Versatile Basic Dress: I chose this dress from MM. Lafleur because it is a neutral color, has figure flattering ruching, and, most importantly, has sleeves. Plus, it’s a client-favorite.  It’s easy to layer but can be worn without a layer.  
  • Basic White Button-Up: Button-Ups aren’t for everyone, however, if you’re looking for a good button-up, I really like Everlane’s because it fits great, doesn’t gape and doesn’t need ironing after washing.
  • Jeans: Whether you can or can’t wear jeans to work depends on your workplace.  If you can, the styles you choose need to be like this pair I selected from J.Crew, clean, untattered, professional-looking, and usually dark denim is preferred.  It’s not just the look of the denim that matters in the workplace but how it is styled that matters.  Weekend denim looks do not pass in a more professional environment. If jeans aren’t appropriate at your workplace, swap them out with a pair of trousers or a skirt.
  • Layering Piece: For a more casual look, I chose this basic cardigan from Argent that also brings in a color.  I chose a cardigan that works across the board with all the pieces in the group to maximize versatility.
  • Block Heel Pumps: After the pandemic, if women didn’t say goodbye to heels entirely, they chose block heel pumps for their comfort and stability.  I chose this gorgeous, albeit pricier, pair from Sara Flint, but block heel pumps are so popular, they can be found at all price points.
  • Beige Flats: Like the pumps in a neutral taupe, I chose this popular pair of shoes among clients, these beige flats from M.Gemi for the same reason.  These shades offer the versatility to be able to be worn with everything, and that’s what you want from a tight wardrobe, the ability to do more with less.  When it comes to investing in shoes, keep this in mind: when you buy shoes that work across many looks, you can invest more in fewer pairs.
  • Loafers: Loafers increased in popularity after the pandemic and continue to be strong for footwear in the workplace.  I chose this burgundy style from Margaux to bring in more of that burgundy shade into the group.
  • Work Tote: Like the beige flats and taupe pumps, I selected a versatile tote in a rich cappuccino shade—because, honestly, who has time to switch bags every day to match their outfit? A smarter approach to looking pulled together is to choose a bag that works across everything. The Cuyana System Tote is a favorite for its customizable design.
  • Accessories: When I choose accessories, I think in terms of accessories that enhance and finish.  For example, this burgundy statement necklace from Ann Taylor can enhance outfits whereas the paperclip necklace from J.Crew is more of a finishing piece.  The same is true for these statement earrings from Sézane vs. these simple earrings from MM Lafleur that finish a look without being overpowering.  Unless you are a pure minimalist, when it comes to accessories, you want a combination of both finishers and enhancers. Lastly, for a pop, I chose a burgundy belt for another pop of the shade.

WORKWEAR, SIMPLIFIED: OUTFIT IDEAS FROM THIS CAPSULE

This capsule isn’t just about great individual pieces—it’s about how seamlessly they work together. See how effortlessly these pieces come together to create polished office looks.

MAKING THE TRANSITION EASIER, ONE WARDROBE CHOICE AT A TIME

The past two weeks have been a stressful time for many federal workers as they navigate sweeping changes under the new administration, often without much public understanding. While wardrobe choices may seem trivial in comparison, they’re yet another challenge that women are facing in an already difficult transition. My hope is that this post makes the dressing part of the process just a little easier.