The Only 3 Outfits You Need for Hybrid Work
Because, respectfully, WTF are we supposed to wear? Wardrobe stylist Caroline Joy of Unfancy gives us some solutions.
Hey everyone—this one’s a big deal for me!
Wardrobe stylist Caroline Joy of Unfancy—aka one of my all-time favorite people on the internet and the reigning queen of the capsule wardrobe—is here with a guest post. I’ve been a very big fan of her work for years, so getting to collaborate with her on this feels pretty cool.
We’re deep in Content People recordings over here (so many good ones coming soon!), including one with Caroline that I cannot wait to share. We talked about personal style and how getting dressed can be a creative act—not just something you have to do.
But hybrid work has made wardrobe planning more complicated. The old “desk-to-drinks” mindset is long gone—now it’s a mix of big meetings, WFH stretches, and Zoom marathons. So I asked Caroline: What should we all be wearing for work?
And she delivered—three outfit ideas that make daily dressing easier, kind of a mini take on our friend
’s "7 Outfits" framework. I love it—and hope you do too.To keep up with or connect with Caroline:
✨ Visit her beautiful blog Unfancy.
✨ Follow her on: Instagram, LTK, and Pinterest.
✨ Download her free guide with 28 days of outfit prompts.
✨ Or book a 1-to-1 no-buy styling session with her here.
.. And stay tuned for Caroline’s Content People ep :)
Enjoy!
It’s 2025, and we’ve landed squarely in the era of hybrid work — where our professional wardrobes are now tasked with taking us from in-office days, to WFH, to Zoom calls, to client lunches (and beyond).
The once straightforward, “What should I wear to work?” now feels like a question without a defined answer.
How do you put together outfits that can adapt to varying work scenarios? How do you dress in a way that respects the professional environment yet doesn’t feel stuffy?
It might seem a little daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. In my work as a personal stylist, I keep a general formula in mind when putting together outfits for my clients who work from both home and office:
Two parts professional, one part casual.
Or, said another way: Two parts sincere, one part playful.
Here’s the formula in action:
One
Rails Liana Pants | The pants may be soft, but the satin finish reads professional and polished. Plus you don’t have to worry about wrinkles since they’ve got that texture-rich crinkle finish.
Quick tip | How to wear elastic waist pants to work | To keep things polished, we want to hide the elastic band with our top. So go for a top that falls just an inch or two past the elastic band. Something short enough to keep the visual waistline, but long enough to cover the elastic band.
Abercrombie Cashmere Relaxed Tee | Want to wear a tee at work? Make it cashmere. The fabric feels more polished and luxe than cotton, while still giving the je ne sais quoi of a tee.
Rothy's Ballet Mary Jane Flats | Comfortable and cute.
Madewell Leather Jacket | Structure reads professional. But since super structured pants can be uncomfy, go for a structured jacket instead. Stick with a clean, simple leather jacket without lots of hardware.
Clare V. Moyen Bag | A luxe bag in a fun color.
Warby Parker Glasses | Somehow these glasses are both funky and classic, making them perfect for work.
Jenny Bird Tome Large Earrings | These are my all-time favorite earrings. Never too much or too little.
Two
Favorite Daughter Cuffed Masha Jeans | We all know dark jeans read more professional, but go for a bit more visual interest with a cuffed detail.
H&M Gathered Sleeve Blazer | For being a budget item, this one’s a stunner. It’s got the most beautiful drape in the back. I have one myself and it’s held up incredibly well over the years.
Lie Studio Caroline Earrings | Minimalist-inspired silver details keep the look feeling current.
Amazon Silver Claw Clip | Think of it as the dressier version of your favorite claw clip. I have one myself and constantly get compliments on it.
Madewell Keeper Belt | I recommend this Madewell belt to everyone within earshot. Affordable, well made, visually balanced -- perfect.
Warby Parker Esme Glasses | If you don't need corrective glasses, grab a pair of blue light glasses. Eyewear can do wonders in bringing an outfit to life.
Everlane Funnel Neck Ribbed Top | The ribbed texture and funnel neck add a little bit more polish.
Tony Bianco Estelle Boots | Suede stunners with a walkable heel.
Merit Tinted Lip Oil | Big fan of Merit over here! Their makeup is impossible to mess up. (And this is coming from a makeup klutz.)
Zara Bag | This bag feels very art-student-in-1970s-Paris to me. It's big enough for your laptop, notebook, purse essentials, and water bottle, with room to spare.
Three
Abercrombie Sloane Trousers | Here’s another take on elastic waist pants. This one is even easier to pull off because they look like regular trousers in the front, but have elastic in the back.
Aritzia Cashmere Sweater | This lightweight cashmere sweater will carry you from winter to spring.
Adidas Sambas | How do you wear sneakers at work? Surround them with tailored things — like a trench coat, sharp trouser, and smart bag. The tailored elements of this outfit really elevate the sneakers.
And Other Stories Funnel-Neck Trench | A billowy, dramatic trench adds so much flair to a look.
Zara Bag | You might have noticed I haven't included one single black bag in these outfits -- and that's because a subtle color (like burgundy or brown) can go such a long way in giving your outfit dimension.
Jenny Bird Nouveaux Puff Earrings | It's a statement earring, but it's not over the top.
Machete Heirloom Clip | If your outfit is feeling incomplete, try a hair accessory. I've got thin hair, and always thought claw clips wouldn't work for me, but then I searched around on Pinterest -- turns out there are lots of doable ways for me to wear a claw clip! Do a little Pinterest-sleuthing -- you might find your solution.
And there you have it!
While professional-wear has become less defined and less straightforward over the past five years, this hybrid era presents us with a really fun opportunity to try new things and celebrate our own curiosities.
And to me, personal style is at its best when it's driven by a spirit of curiosity.
• • •
Caroline Joy is a personal stylist based in Texas. Book a personal styling session with her here.
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Loved this!!