21 Work-Appropriate Outfits That Are the Answer to "I Have Nothing to Wear"

There comes a time every season when I look at my closet with utter disinterest. It's not that I churn through fast fashion or am a compulsive shopper; it's that after months of wearing the same office outfit combinations on rotation, my ability to think creatively about those seasonal staples dips to an all-time low. If you're in a similar workwear rut, look to the streets of Copenhagen. The Danish capital recently played host to Copenhagen Fashion Week, where Scandinavian It girls like Pernille Teisbaek and Nina Sandbech took to the cobbled streets in late summer and fall-inspired wares. Unlike Paris or New York, Scandinavian street style takes a polished yet laid-back approach to dressing, which makes it a hub for workwear inspiration. From print-on-print layering to front-tied white shirts, these are the looks we'll be copying to cure end-of-summer workwear fatigue.

Réalisation's The Naomi skirt was one of the most iconic buys of the season. Make it work-appropriate with a shirt and low heels.

Knot a classic white shirt at the front and wear it with tailored high-waisted pants to make a closet staple look new. 

Summer's tie-front top looks demure with wide-leg pants and an understated bucket bag. 

Contrast seams continue to dominate. Opt for unexpected color combinations for fall, such as cinnamon and red.

A belted trench makes any outfit—even one with sneakers—look polished. 

Give your go-to silk blouse a new look by styling it with a snake-print skirt.

Add pops of color via accessories such as this Boyy bag, which was everywhere during Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Two-piece suits are the ultimate confidence booster.

Streamline your look by forgoing color altogether, and opt for single-hue pieces such as an ivory sweater and skirt.

Belt bags are here to stay. Make a classic work outfit look a bit more high-fashion with a black leather bag tied around your waist.

Layer gold necklaces to make a basic top look a bit more luxe. 

Prefer not to make outfit decisions first thing? A demure jumpsuit will be your lazy-day go-to.

Wear those white or cream jeans before Labor Day. 

Wide-leg jeans were made for casual Friday. Dress them up with a light belted trench.

Break up your usual black-and-white ensemble with a bright bag.

Update a sheer summer dress with ankle boots and bold earrings.

Give your purse a timely update by carrying it in a transparent tote. Bonus: It's big enough to fit your laptop for work, too.

Not quite ready to commit to the belt-bag trend? Sling it over your shoulder with a blazer and heels to make it look a bit more grown-up.

Ditch your heels during your walk to work. Finally, comfortable sneakers are in.

Leopard print is back in a big way. Go all out with a leopard dress, or opt for subtle accessories.

Pointed-toe heels make any outfit look high-end. These black satin H&M ones are a steal.