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I'm an Associate Shopping Director—9 Trends I'm Wearing to the Office This Winter

By Swedan Margen

I'm an Associate Shopping Director—9 Trends I'm Wearing to the Office This Winter

If you follow Who What Wear's Instagram Stories, you may have noticed that I regularly feature my best office outfits and shop out the looks to get you inspired when it comes to your workwear. After all, a good outfit should not go undocumented! It's not always easy to get excited about heading back into the office in January, but a chic ensemble is a great motivator.

Today, I wanted to share some specific styles that I plan to incorporate into my office looks as we get through the winter. Included in the mix are of-the-moment basics you may already own and be inspired to update along with accessories trends, such as long pendant necklaces and faux-fur scarves, that are sure to add a chic, fashion-forward touch to your work looks.

If you need some work outfit inspiration as you head into the office this month, then take a look at the pieces below.

Elevated Cardigans

Woman in a gray cardigan.

According to the spring/summer 2026 runways, literary-chic looks will be a huge trend this year. It's an aesthetic built around functional staples—cardigans included. The beauty of a knit cardigan is that you can layer it over a tissue-thin turtleneck through the colder winter months and wear it as a cute top come spring. The styling possibilities are endless, and its versatility is second to none.

Shop:

Loose-Fit Cardigan - Black

H&M

Loose-Fit Cardigan in Black

Jenni Kayne Cooper Cardigan

Jenni Kayne

Cooper Cardigan

Soft Cardigan
Knitted Button Cardigan - Women | Mango Niger

MANGO

Knitted Button Cardigan

By Marianna Bronte Button Cardigan

L'Academie By Marianna

Bronte Button Cardigan

Wide-Rib Cashmere Cardigan

J.Crew

Wide-Rib Cashmere Cardigan

By Marianna Torrey Cardigan

L'Academie By Marianna

Torrey Cardigan

Faux-Fur Scarves

Woman in gray coat and brown faux-fur scarf.

Faux-fur coats, accessories, and accents are having a major moment right now, and I'll be leaning into the trend for work with a chic scarf. It's perfect for throwing on over a wool coat or simply wearing with a sweater inside the office. It's a cozy moral support item to comfort you through January!

Shop:

Faux-Fur Scarf - Women | Mango Niger
X Coco Bodil Scarf
Kai Pluche™ Faux Fur Pull-Through Scarf

Apparis

Kai Pluche Faux Fur Pull-Through Scarf

Faux Fur Scarf - Rina

Gerard Darel

Faux Fur Scarf

Leather & Suede Knee-High Boots

Woman in a brown coat, knee-length skirt and black knee-high boots.

Winter calls for great boots, and nothing looks as elegant as sleek knee-high leather or suede boots to pair with your midi skirts. Opt for a simple silhouette in black, brown, or burgundy with work-perfect kitten heels.

Shop:

Reformation, Remy 50MM Leather Knee-High Boots

Reformation

Remy Leather Knee-High Boots

Evysa Boot
Wally Knee High Boot

STAUD

Wally Knee High Boot

Theodora Boots - Glossy Chocolate - Bovine Leather - Sézane

Sézane

Theodora Boots in Glossy Chocolate

Dark-Wash Straight-Leg Jeans

Woman in blazer and dark wash jeans.

Dark-wash jeans are having a major moment this season, and they're ideal for an office or work setting. While I love my wide-leg silhouettes, a smart straight-leg style oozes polish, and I find it is much easier to pair with different shoe types.

Shop:

501 Straight Jeans

LEVI'S

501 Straight Jeans

Zurie Straight Leg Jeans

Citizens of Humanity

Zurie Straight Leg Jeans

Low Rise '90s Loose Jeans

Gap

Low Rise '90s Loose Jeans

Nipped Straight Jean

J.Crew

Nipped Straight Jean

90's Pinch Waist High Rise Straight Jeans

AGOLDE

90's Pinch Waist High Rise Straight Jeans

Dark-Brown Tailored Pieces

Woman in chocolate brown coat and pants.

Rich-looking chocolate brown will continue to be a huge trend in 2026 and a very chic option for the office. For a sophisticated look, wear the color from head to toe, incorporating tailored trousers and blazers.

Shop:

Oversized Double-Breasted Blazer

ZARA

Oversized Double-Breasted Blazer

Selection Pleat Front Straight Leg Pants

MANGO Selection

Pleat Front Straight Leg Pants

Etiquette Blazer
365 Low Rise Brushed Twill Pleated Trousers

Gap

365 Low Rise Brushed Twill Pleated Trousers

Long Pendant Necklaces

Woman in a gray coat and pants with a silver long pendant necklace.

I love to amp up my work basics with a trend-forward accessory. Right now, I'm all about long pendant necklaces, a trend that will continue to be huge in 2026. For the office, try a sleek style with elements of black, silver, or gold that you can throw on with a sweater and blazer.

Shop:

Marlowe Necklace

Heaven Mayhem

Marlowe Necklace

Noema Necklace - Silver - Louis Abel

Louis Abel

Noema Necklace

Éze Necklace
Messina 18k Gold-Plated Agate Necklace

Chan Luu

Messina 18k Gold-Plated Agate Necklace

Ilona Sterling Silver Necklace

AGMES

Ilona Sterling Silver Necklace

Collarless Blazers

Woman in gray collarless blazer and red pants.

For an elegant winter work look, try a collarless blazer with your jeans. It's smart and polished and can easily be worn over a fitted turtleneck for extra warmth and elegance.

Shop:

Jane Collarless Blazer

ALL THE WAYS

Jane Collarless Blazer

Bellmere Jacket

ASTR the Label

Bellmere Jacket

Sidecar Blazer
Double-Breasted Crewneck Blazer in Herringbone | Ash

Argent

Double-Breasted Crewneck Blazer in Herringbone

Polly Jacket

4th & Reckless

Polly Jacket

Knit Skirts

Woman in gray knit sweater and skirt.

While you may not be wearing a ton of skirts this winter, don't overlook them for work. A knit midi or maxi skirt is often a lot more comfortable than sitting in rigid jeans all day and looks incredibly chic with a pair of knee-high boots. Stick to elegant neutral hues.

Shop:

Knit Midi Skirt
Mae Maxi Knit Skirt

EAVES

Mae Maxi Knit Skirt

Cashsoft Stretch Midi Skirt

Gap

CashSoft Stretch Midi Skirt

Adriena Skirt

4th & Reckless

Adriena Skirt

Elegant Wool Coats

Woman in long elegant gray coat.

Nothing looks as chic as a tailored wool coat. Step out to lunch meetings in style wearing a long, elegant silhouette in brown, camel, navy, gray, or black.

Shop:

The Frankie Shop, Gaia Coat

The Frankie Shop

Gaia Coat

Trullem Coat

By Malene Birger

Trullem Coat

Double Breasted Wool Blend Reefer Coat

Lauren Ralph Lauren

Double Breasted Wool Blend Reefer Coat

Lucia Coat
Handmade Oversized Wool Coat - Women | Mango Usa

MANGO

Handmade Oversized Wool Coat

Originally published by whowhatwear.com. Syndicated material does not necessarily reflect the views of Vanity Fair Fashion.

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I'm an Associate Shopping Director—9 Trends I'm Wearing to the Office This Winter - Vanity Fair Fashion