Dressing for the office can be tough when there aren’t many options that simultaneously make you look professional and feel authentic. Luckily, we have some handy tips for how to look your best when you prefer to dress masculine of center, thanks to our friend Corinne Phillips! Corinne is a style consultant and host of Transition of Style, a podcast that discusses the places where personal style and identity meet. To add even more to her impressive resume, she is also one of the co-founders of QueerCut, a global, gender-free marketplace and online community that connects LGBTQ+ shoppers with queer-friendly brands and products.  

Here are Corinne’s wardrobe go-tos, tips for presenting yourself professionally at work, and some brands she loves to help you look your absolute best! We will let Corinne take it from here!

Why Is It Important To Look Professional And Authentic At Work?

The first thing people notice about you is often what you’re wearing and how you’re dressed. Even before you communicate with them verbally you’re already communicating a lot about yourself with your appearance. Regardless of what you enjoy wearing or what your personal style is, if you want to communicate confidence and self-assuredness I strongly believe that what you are wearing is a huge piece of the puzzle.

How many times have you experienced a moment where you had to “dress up” and felt as though it made you walk taller or feel a whole new level of confidence? When in the past I’ve dressed up for a job interview I feel as though I’m putting my best foot forward. It says that I take myself seriously and that I’m a professional. Here are some of my tips for helping you feel powerful and put together on a daily basis!

Androgynous Office Wardrobe Must-Haves

1. Oxford Shirts

An Oxford shirt is a button-down collar shirt that can be worn formally or casually. It is typically flanked by a chest pocket and tends to be of thicker material than a dress shirt. These come in a variety of colors and patterns and can be worn either more formally tucked in, buttoned up with neckwear, or casually untucked. Oxfords also look great worn under a v-neck sweater, a crew neck sweater or under a blazer or suit jacket.

Oxfords can be worn for almost any occasion. They’re an everyday item that can transition from the office, to going out in the evening, or to a networking event. My favorite shirt brands are Kirrin Finch, J.Crew and Uniqlo.

2. Sweaters

3. Brogues

4. Blazers

Blazers are similar to suit jackets, though they are usually worn in less formal conditions and do not have a matching pair of pants. Blazers come not only in a variety of colors but also a variety of styles! Some blazers are more structured like a suit jacket while others are less structured and more relaxed (these come without the shoulder pads). Whichever style suits your fancy, you need blazers in your closet if you want to present yourself professionally!

Blazers can be styled with a shirt/sweater combination or one or the other (just a shirt or just a sweater). You can also wear blazers paired with any type of pant you can imagine! My favorites are jeans or chinos.

Blazers can be worn as an everyday staple in both more formal/professional settings as well as casual ones. Reserve a relaxed, less structured blazer for more casual settings such as outings with friends and weekends. More structured blazers are great for wearing to the office or for big events.