The Zero-Effort Outfit Formula to Take You From Desk to Drinks

last updated 13 August 2019

We’ve all been there, making plans after work only to realize after the fact that there won’t be much (correction, any) time to get ready between the two. Instead of lugging a full-on duffel bag to the office with you—not to mention having to stealthily change in a bathroom stall—be strategic with the outfit you choose to wear to work. The formula that we usually stick to is simple to master. Start with classic silhouettes in neutral colors so you’ll have more freedom to play up your accessories. Once you pick out the top and bottoms and have an idea of the shoes and bag you’ll wear, look for that extra third piece. We usually go with a jacket that we can drape over our shoulders at the office and take off before meeting up with friends. It’s as easy as that.

Proof: the outfit below. It’s simple in theory—a black midi skirt and white top from the Who What Wear collection—but the eye-catching shoes and bag really help bring the look together, making it perfect for transitioning from desk to drinks. Slide left to right to see how you can take this outfit from day to night and shop the pieces below.

Who What Wear

Tie-Neck Shell in Cream

Sleeveless, high-neck white blouses can instantly make any look feel more polished.

Who What Wear

Faux Leather Birdcage Skirt

A faux-leather midi skirt is the perfect transitional piece that can be worn bare legged or look just as chic with a pair of black tights.

Who What Wear

Frayed Edge Jacket

Denim jackets are year-round staples that can infuse classic outfits with a little laid-back edge.

What’s your formula for taking an outfit from desk to drinks? Tell us in the comments below.

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Caitie Schlisserman is an L.A.-based executive director with over a decade of branded content and editorial experience. She joined Who What Wear in 2014 as the first branded content editor and has worked her way up to overseeing a team of talented branded content editors and the beauty department of the media revenue team. Before Who What Wear, Caitie helped launch FabFitFun's first subscription box and worked at a beauty startup where she assisted in successfully launching the editorial department.