I'm Not a Morning Person, But This Work Capsule Wardrobe Makes Me Look Like One

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(Image credit: @yegaillustrations)

Hands up if you always plan your workwear wardrobe on a Sunday night for the week ahead… Hands up if you set aside your outfit the night before… If you’re anything like me, you’re already running seven minutes late, so you grab pieces from your bedroom chair and throw them together hoping to look somewhat presentable.

In an attempt to make mornings less manic (read: to ensure you don’t turn up at the office looking like you were dressed by a 4-year-old), I decided to do some research. With the help of some seriously smart, stylish women, I think I’ve cracked the work capsule wardrobe code—and on a budget, too.

Interchangeable and direct from the high street, all you need to impress your boss are eight key buys. Keep scrolling to see and shop our picks. Consider that promotion yours.

CHECKED OVERCOAT

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(Image credit: The Style Stalker)

Style notes: If external meetings are a big part of your job, you need to make the right impression from the initial meet, which will likely be while you’re still sporting your coat. Worn over everything from pencil skirts to suit trousers, a checked style will make anything glossy.

Related: These 22 Expensive-Looking High-Street Coats Will Carry You Right Into 2020

CHIC CROSSBODY

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Style notes: Picture this—you have coffee in one hand, your laptop in another and your phone’s just started to ring. Think how thankful you’ll be in that moment when you don’t have a top-handle bag to contend with too. Look for leather styles for a more formal take on arm candy. 

Related: We Just Found 18 High-Street Bags That Will Make Any Outfit Look Expensive

DOUBLE-BREASTED BLAZER

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(Image credit: Christian Vierig/Getty Images)

Style notes: Every work wardrobe should feature at least one blazer, and our pick is double-breasted. Formal but stylish, it’ll elevate all your office attire to chic new heights. Keep one sling over your desk chair for last-minute meetings with your boss. 

FLORAL WRAP DRESS

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Style notes: Chances are you’ve lived in wrap dresses for the majority of the summer. Now, in place of linen and cotton, a new wave of weightier wrap frocks have arrived—meaning you can take your obsession into autumn too. Simply throw on and dash for the bus. 

Related: I'd Recommend These 5 Cool Ways to Restyle Your Old Wrap Dress

WIDE LEG CORDS

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Style notes: Don’t be fooled—cords might be your new downtime go-to, but they can still look the workwear part if you choose them well. Look for concealed fastenings (exposed silver buttons akin to those found on jeans are too casual for the office) as well as a high-waist fit. Tuck in a blouse, and finish with block heels.

Related: 16 Cords That Will Make You Want to Cheat on Your Favourite Pair of Jeans

BLOCK-PLEATED SKIRT

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Style notes: Skirts don’t come much more elegant than the pleated midi, and right now we’re buying into colour-blocked incarnations. Match a shirt or jumper to one of the skirt’s hues for a flawless ensemble.

Related: I Tried on All the Skirts From H&M, Topshop and COS So You Don't Have To

BELTED WHITE SHIRT

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Style notes: Okay, so you probably already have a white shirt (or five) in your wardrobe arsenal, but the tie-waist variation provides the perfect excuse to invest in another. Adding definition to your fame, wear untucked over your favourite checked trousers or A-line skirt. 

Related: All the New Season Shoe Trends We Want to Tell You About

POINTED FLATS

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(Image credit: Vanni Bassetti/Getty Images)

Style notes: If your jobs calls for you to be on your feet for a lot of the day, pointed flats will fast become your fashion BFF. The pointed toe makes them glossy enough to wear for high-profile meetings and business lunches alike, but the flat sole makes them easy to walk in. On-trend shoes minus the risk of blisters? We’re all in.

Something tells me these pieces are going to be doing overtime on the weekends too.

Opening Image: The Style Stalker

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Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger isBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her ownBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior toBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.