The Hybrid Work Wardrobe: How the Pandemic Redefined “Business Casual”

Chelle Peterson

“What do I wear to work again?” 

It’s a question many professionals asked themselves as workplaces started to re-open again after the pandemic. 

Whether you’re back in the office full-time, work a hybrid schedule, or opt for a coworking space, wearing sweatpants every day might not be feasible going forward. 

But coming back to the office after the pandemic is different. For many professionals, it redefined what “business casual” looks like. 

So, here’s what’s changed, why it matters, and what you should do about your new hybrid work wardrobe. 

How The Pandemic Changed Our Wardrobes

The initial lockdowns of spring 2020 forced much of the workforce to stay home and connect virtually. 

And this new work scenario meant many of us ended up in our comfy pants for quite a long time.

But even though remote work is here to stay, many professionals have started going back to the office, either on a full-time, part-time, or hybrid schedule. 

And as that happens, those swears are not as welcome in the office as they are at home. 

But that doesn’t mean people are ready to go back to what they wore before. Nor do they necessarily have to. 

On the whole, post-pandemic office wear is more casual and comfortable, with looser dress codes and norms. 

Here are a few reasons why the pandemic made such a big impact on officewear: 

  • Priorities: The pandemic brought health, financial, and social challenges and losses for many people. Collectively, priorities shifted as people focused on what matters most in life. Clothing? Not the top of the list for most. 
  • Workplace culture: Colleagues got a glimpse of each other’s lives during the pandemic, whether it was a kid or pet interrupting a Zoom call or shifting schedules to accommodate family matters. If you’ve already seen the inside of your colleague’s house, does it matter what they’re wearing to work? 
  • Style: It’s hard to believe, but the pandemic started well over two years ago. In that time, new style trends have emerged. This is especially true amongst the youngest generation (Gen Z) in the workforce who take to TikTok to share their new ‘fits.
  • Practicality: If you’re on any kind of hybrid or remote schedule, you need something that fits a flexible lifestyle. Clothing needs to go from office to home to errands to everything in between. 

Ideas for Your Hybrid Work Wardrobe

It’s going to vary from industry to industry, but most workplaces are trending towards more casual wardrobes in the post-pandemic era. 

There’s even a new word for it: workleisure.

Here are a few ideas for embracing this new workplace trend: 

  • Look for suits, dress pants, or skirts with more stretch: Many companies are hopping on this trend, making traditional officewear more comfortable than before. 
  • Embrace a capsule wardrobe: Simplicity is the name of the game here! Pick out a small collection of things that you love, all that work well together, and put them on repeat. This is particularly helpful because it takes the guesswork out of what to wear and helps you transition from errands and home life to the workplace. Here’s a good guide on how to build a capsule wardrobe
  • Dress it down or dress it up: There’s no need to completely reinvent the wheel. Find the happy medium between your sweats and a suit by either dressing up the sweats (e.g. swapping them out for joggers) or dressing down the suit (e.g. swapping a nice white t-shirt for the traditional dress shirt). You can also make the decision based on what you’re doing that day. Dressing up a bit when you’re meeting a client is a great way to make a good first impression
  • Embrace different fabrics: Light cotton or linen have a comfortable-yet-stylish look to them and are perfect for the Arizona climate. 
  • Try something new: With dress codes loosening, it’s the perfect time to try a new style or trend you’re interested in. Perhaps you already engaged in some “revenge buying” to make up for lost time, so what are you waiting for? Bust out some of those new outfits at work!
  • Shop local: If you’re looking to revamp your work wardrobe, consider making an effort to shop local brands and stores. Many small businesses struggled during the pandemic, so this can help them out! Plus, you’ll have a whole new, unique wardrobe. Here’s a guide to some Arizona-based brands you can check out. 

We’re not fashion experts, so we’ll point you to some experts for specific ideas about what to wear in the post-pandemic world. Check out these resources: 

The Bottom Line: What are YOU Going to Wear? 

All this to say—what are you wearing back in the office? Because here’s the thing: post-pandemic work wardrobes are more flexible than ever before. So, you can probably wear whatever you want! (Well, check with your employer first…) 

Post-pandemic clothing choices divide the workforce into two general camps:

  • Those who like dressing up for work in a more traditional way. Getting ready in the morning helps them get productive and focused for the day. It can also be a way to put the pandemic behind you in a way.

If you fall into this camp but work from home, consider joining a coworking space, even for just a few days by booking a day pass. It’s the perfect opportunity to dress up, show off your new style, and get out of the house. Getting dressed and having a routine is one of the biggest benefits of escaping your home office each week!

  • Those who don’t like dressing up and fully embrace a more casual work wardrobe. Comfort is the name of the game! 

Whichever camp you fall into, we’ve got you. There are a lot of “new normals” we’re all navigating in this post-pandemic season, and clothing is one of them. Take the opportunity to try something new and shake up your wardrobe a bit!

If you’re feeling the urge to break out your post-pandemic work wardrobe and spend time with professionals like yourself, we invite you to book a tour of The Post.