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Home » Outfits » 20 Spring Closet Staples You Need for Your Professional Wardrobe

20 Spring Closet Staples You Need for Your Professional Wardrobe

Just like the rest of your closet, your professional wardrobe could use some spring cleaning and updates. I’ve got a list of 20 work wear staples that will make putting together spring work outfits a breeze.

Note: This post was originally published in 2021. It has been updated for 2022.

These twenty pieces will help you break out of that winter, stay at home rut and put together work wear outfits that will have you polished and ready to tackle all those meetings and projects.

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Spring Work Wear Staples- The Bottoms

Your professional wardrobe should have pants in classic silhouettes like straight leg trousers or ankle pants. Trouser leg, flare and boot cut are all coming back into style this season.

Any of these leg styles are professional and will stand the test of time. Trouser leg and straight leg pants won’t look dated as quickly.

If you want to add a trend, try a pair of wide leg trousers, but don’t go overboard because these may or may not stick around. If you want a professional wardrobe that stands the test of time, stick to the classics.

Navy pants – Navy gives a spring and summer vibe to your work wear and it’s still professional. You can wear almost anything that you wear with black with navy.

Grey pants Another neutral that goes with everything. Choose a lighter shade of grey for spring.

Olive pants- Olive is a neutral. Don’t think of it as green. Replace your standard black pants with olive and see what a difference they make in your spring work outfits.

Black pants – My go to when I don’t want to think. Black doesn’t have to be boring. Make it more spring like by pairing it with tan, white and camel neutrals.

Related: Black Doesn’t Have to Be Boring (or Scary)– 15 creative ways to wear black pants to work.

Shop pants:

womens work wear outfit with navy ankle pants, green ash popover and taupe flatsPin

Shop this look here.

The Essential Tops You Need For Spring Work Outfits

A white button up– Let’s get this one out of the way. A white button up makes every essential list of every type. However, I went for years without one and I was always dressed appropriately for work.

I have one now, but it’s still not my go to. However, I can see it’s value and I recommend having one for those days when nothing else seems to work.

A Solid Color Blouse– Something similar to the popover above. If you have a limited professional wardrobe, pick your absolute best color- the color that flatters you the most. A solid color blouse can really pop under darker suits and blazers.

A short sleeve neutral color sweater– A thin spring sweater works great under blazers. Pick one in white, ivory, beige, camel or grey. Something with texture will give your outfit some interest.

women's spring professional wardrobe staples textured Loft sweater and olive pantsPin

Sweater- Loft; pants- JCPenney; shoes- Target; similar earrings

A floral top- What’s spring without a floral top? Florals can be included in your professional wardrobe.

Solid blue or blue stripe button up I have one of each and I reach for them way more than I do the white button up. Every time I see an outfit idea I like with a chambray shirt (not allowed at my workplace), I make it a work appropriate outfit with a solid blue button up.

white blazer outfit for professional wardrobePin

A sleeveless shell or blouse- I have white and ivory and several floral ones. They layer well under blazers and cardigans when the temperatures start rising and work well into summer.

Profession Wardrobe Staple: Layers

White Blazer- It goes with everything and will be a workhorse from spring until the end of summer.

Women's work wear outfit with white blazerPin

Black Blazer Always a good option to have. It generally adds a professional touch to everything.

Navy Blazer Like the white blazer, it will take you all the way through summer.

Grey Cardigan Offices can get chilly and the temps fluctuate so a neutral cardigan or two are great to have in your capsule

Cropped color cardigan Add some color with this piece.

professional wardrobe with black blazerPin

The Essential Shoes for a Professional Wardrobe

Nude pumps– I opt for nude more than black during the spring and summer. Choose pumps in a three inch or less heel so you can actually wear them all day.

Black pumps– Great for bookending outfits when you wear the black blazer.

Leopard pumps– Yes, they are a neutral and add a pop of interest. Level up an outfit of all basics with leopard pumps.

Related: 3 Stylish Leopard Pump Outfits for the Office

A pair of dressy flats– Nude, taupe, cognac, black or even snakeskin will pair beautifully with the items above.

Last, but not least

A great tote- A leather or faux leather tote or structured satchel is a work wear essential. You may carry a few more items for work than the normal every day trips so a larger tote may be necessary but it can still be polished.

A few more pieces you may want to consider for spring work wear essentials:

A pencil skirt

A sheath dress

If dresses and skirts are appropriate for your job, add these pieces in to mix things up. Wear the button ups under the sheath dress or wear the cardigan over it. Pair any of your tops with a great neutral pencil skirt.

Dark wash jeans– If casual Friday is allowed, these are a must. You still want to look polished and the office isn’t the place for your faded, light wash distressed jeans. Pair dark wash jeans with your blazers for a casual but put together look.

Jewelry- A few simple pieces can polish off your work outfits. A pair of gold hoops, a pair of stud earrings, and a delicate necklace will go a long way.

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