Capsule wardrobe: Casual Fridays

In its original form, Casual Friday was the chance for workers in offices with formal dress codes to wear slightly more relaxed outfits. Be-suited professionals were allowed the freedom of separates and a thousand polo shirts and khakis were sold.

In some offices, meanwhile, Casual Friday is the standard dress code. And Actual Fridays are a sartorial free-for-all.

So maybe it helps to think of Casual Friday the concept as a level of dressing that’s the least dressy and most casual you can be at work while still looking like you’re dressed for an office.

Casual Friday pieces tend to split the difference between casual and formal in color, fabric or shape; if it’s a dressier shape, like a pencil skirt, the fabric is more casual, like denim. Create the same pencil skirt in crepe wool with a silk lining and now it’s ready for a client meeting.

10 pieces to wear on Casual Fridays

This Casual Friday capsule wardrobe, then, contains a few basic pieces that are dressier than weekend wear (whether casual or chic), but less dressy than you’d wear to meet with a big client or customer.

And if the dressier pieces are still more “formal” than you typically see in your workplace, well, who says you can’t be the best dressed one in the office?

• Fitted corduroy pants. Best for fall and winter wear, these have the casual feel of denim with a bit of texture.
• Dark wash bootcut denim. The universally flattering denim option. Dark wash makes them dressier than pure weekend wear.
• Denim pencil skirt. Dressy shape, casual fabric. (Don’t like pencil skirts? Try an A-line or even a knit maxi-skirt instead.)
• Striped tee. The pattern is timeless, the cut is a little more interesting than the standard crewneck shape.
• Patterned silk shirt. A collared button-front silk shirt in a pattern dresses up denim, and can live on in your wardrobe the rest of the week, too.
• Bright colored blouse. Wear it under the blazer, over the striped tee, or by itself.
• Soft knit blazer. Stripes have a bit of sass, especially worn with the striped tee, but a solid color would work, too.
• Cardigan. Layer it over the tops for an extra dose of pattern. (Or to ward off the over-air-conditioned office chill.)
• Flat shoes. A ballet flat is chic and classic, but athletic flats for grumpy feet are also an option.
• A fun accessory. Tie your outfits together with a bright bauble necklace, a scarf, or even a belt.

You can combine them to make outfits that are the farthest toward the casual end (denim T-shirt) or closest to being Proper Office Attire (blouse skirt blazer).

In warmer months, trade the corduroys for a lightweight cotton trouser, either ankle length or capri cut, and swap the longer-sleeved bright blouse for one with short sleeves or even sleeveless.

I’ll keep the blazer and cardigan, though; my commute is toasty, but my office can be Arctic. Layers to the rescue!

Learn how to build capsule wardrobes in the Frantic But Fabulous style workshop—including a checklist of closet essentials. Love everything you wear, starting now!

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Other posts you might like:

1. Style SOS: Post-maternity leave wardrobe ideas
2. Working Mom Outfits Level 3: Casual Friday
3. How to make 3 different level outfits with one blazer (part 2)