How to Dress for Work (and Still Be Comfortable)
Whether you’re commuting to a corporate office—or your own private couch, our modern workwear helps you strike the right balance between elegance and ease.
I am not a fashion expert. Despite working in the industry since my twenties (I’m 40 now), I am rarely asked by family and friends for advice on what to wear. But there is one thing I do know—comfort. When it comes to buttery-soft fabrics, elastic waistbands and shoes with just the right amount of arch support, I consider myself a thought leader.
Perhaps that’s why I’ve been at EILEEN FISHER for over ten years now. Comfort is built into the brand by design. “I was an uncomfortable person,” Eileen has said, “so I wanted comfortable clothes.” The idea that comfort could inspire confidence, that physical ease might elicit a feeling of mental freedom, has always resonated with me.
As a writer, I feel most creative when I’m comfortable. But I also want to be taken seriously by my colleagues, which is why I don’t show up to the office in my pajamas. Luckily, I work for a clothing brand that has made striking the right balance between comfort and style a priority—long before the pandemic jump-started a remote work revolution.
The old saying might be to dress for the job you want, but my experience says otherwise: What if you dress in whatever brings out your personal best?
Over the last decade, I've noticed the pieces I gravitate toward fall into categories that EILEEN FISHER has perfected over time, and even become known for—precisely because they make you feel good. Whether you’re commuting to an office or working from your couch, you can use the following week’s worth of ways to look polished while prioritizing comfort.
THE SILK SHIRT
Take the stress out of Sunday night and plan to start your week in a silk shirt. Try the mandarin collar shirt, with a clean neckline that Eileen loves, layered under jackets and cardigans—or the classic collar, which looks sharp under a box-top or vest. Our Silk Georgette Crepe feels good against your skin, and bonus: it’s washable. Pair a silk shirt with a skirt or trousers—even your favorite jeans. It's a wardrobe chameleon that dresses up or down, depending on your day.
THE 696 PANT
Structure and stretch—all in one slim pant. Our iconic “696” blends the look of a cigarette pant with the feel of a legging. It's easy to build an outfit around—you can pair it with anything in your closet, including sneakers. Our Washable Stretch Crepe fabric is specially knit in France, and beloved by our customers for how well it travels. Go to a meeting by plane, train or automobile, and rest assured you’ll arrive wrinkle free.
THE SOFT SUIT
Let’s say you need to look put together for a presentation, but don’t want to sacrifice your whole day to stiffness. Enter soft suiting—think jackets, pants and jumpsuits, in polished knits like Washable Stretch Crepe and Cotton Ponte that you can throw in the wash. Our simple shapes in Washable Flex Ponte are true multitaskers: boardroom ready, sofa approved. (Feel free to do some light stretching in them before the big meeting.)
THE SWEATSHIRT BLAZER
Modern at the office or cozy at home. The sweatshirt blazer is back by popular demand, and for good reason—comfortable jackets are kind of our thing. We start with simple shapes in fabrics that are soft yet sophisticated, like organic cotton and our terry knits. The look of a structured jacket meets the feel of your favorite sweatshirt. A Friday state of mind, any day of the week.
THE MATCHING SET
Finally, a decision you can make before coffee. The matching set is a complete outfit by design, and our sets come in a variety of fabrics all year long—cotton, linen and merino, to name a few. The shapes are designed to work together as a pair, or to mix and match with other pieces in your wardrobe. Our latest, in Mini Check Crepe, blends the elevated look of shirting with the easy feel of pajamas.
Build a (Comfortable) Work Wardrobe
