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10 Wardrobe Staples That Will Make You Look and Feel Like a Boss

Easy ways to streamline your morning routine.

Headshot of Justine CarreonBy Justine Carreon
Clothing, Outerwear, Suit, Formal wear, Overcoat, Coat, Design, Robe, Dress, Beige, pinterest icon
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By now you've probably read about the 30 items every woman should own by the time they're 30 years old, but this tight edit is specifically tailored to looking polished at the office. Our picks can and should be worn together, so getting dressed in the morning will easy, formulaic—but never boring. Translation: You'll never feel guilty for hitting the snooze button four times in a row again (maybe). Read on for ten key items to own that will make you look, and more importantly, feel like a boss.

A Perfectly Tailored Skirt

Clothing, Black, Pencil skirt, Waist, Fashion, A-line, Skort, Dress,
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Whether you pair it with a plain t-shirt or a sharp blouse, a skirt that actually fits and flatters your body will become your favorite item in your closet.

Diane von Furstenberg Flute Knit Skirt, $298; Nordstrom.com

SHOP

The Power Shoe

Footwear, High heels, Red, Court shoe, Shoe, Leather, Basic pump, Suede, Slingback, Beige,
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It doesn't matter if you’re a single sole pump kind of girl or someone who never wears heels—everyone needs a pair of shoes that puts you in a takes-no-shit sort of mood.

Vince Camuto Savilla Pumps, $88; zappos.com

SHOP

Day-to-Night Dress

Clothing, Day dress, Sleeve, Blue, Robe, Purple, Dress, Outerwear, Violet, Collar,
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Find a dress that can easily transition from the office to your favorite bar, because you'll never forgive yourself for missing $1 oysters at happy hour because you had to rush home after work to change.

Zara Striped Tunic Knot, $40; zara.com

SHOP

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PullsEverything-Together Blazer

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Wear this as a part of a two-piece suit or stash it on the back of your office chair to combat the office AC blast. A crisp blazer like one in this transitional camel color pulls together any kind of outfit.

J. Crew Dover Blazer, $198; jcrew.com

SHOP

A Structured Bag

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Nothing says "I got this" like a bag that sits by itself on the board room table (and is big enough to hold your laptop).

Cambridge Satchel Folio Bag, $240; cambridgesatchel.com

SHOP

An About-Business Topcoat

Clothing, Outerwear, Coat, Overcoat, Blazer, Suit, Sleeve, Formal wear, Jacket, Beige,
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For wintry months, you'll need a coat that shows you're in charge. Toss this over a statement suit or a work-appropriate LBD for a power lunch or a much-needed coffee break.

Pixie Market Plaid Long Blazer Coat, $284; pixiemarket.com

SHOP

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Ankle-Length Cigarette Pants

Clothing, Khaki, Trousers, Beige, Jeans, Suit trousers, Khaki pants, Denim, Pocket,
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Not only does this flattering cut work on most body types, it's super versatile. We love this option from Uniqlo, which is literally called "smart."

Uniqlo Smart Style Ankle Length Pants, $40; uniqlo.com

SHOP

Fuss-Free Jewelry

Earrings, Jewellery, Fashion accessory, Body jewelry, Metal, Silver, Circle, Oval, Brass,
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Own jewelry you can wear everyday in a classic style that looks neither overdone or simplistic.

Bagatiba 14k 2m Hoops, $160; bagatiba.com

SHOP

Casual Friday Denim

Denim, Jeans, Clothing, Blue, Pocket, Cobalt blue, Textile, Trousers, Electric blue, Waist,
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Distressed boyfriend jeans are fine for the weekend, but opt for darker denim at work. The true blue hue reads more professional than its faded cousin and won't look out of place in a meeting.

Attico Cropped High-Rise Flared Jeans, $122; net-a-porter.com

SHOP

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An Easy Button Down

Clothing, White, Outerwear, Sleeve, Jacket, Collar, Blazer, Top, Neck, Beige,
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You can never have too many white button-down shirts, but to avoid looking like a cater waiter, find one with minor details like this pajama top cut with contrast piping.

Everlane Piped Silk Notch Collar Shirt, $98; everlane.com

SHOP

Headshot of Justine Carreon
Justine Carreon


Justine Carreon is the market editor at ELLE.com covering fashion, Dutch ovens, and fashion again. When she isn’t approaching style through a modern, accessible lens, she’s scouring eBay for vintage Levi’s and pretending she knows how to surf. Before joining ELLE.com in 2015 she worked as a freelance writer and stylist in New York City.   

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