Wardrobe Must Haves For All

As Covid obliterated our daily routines and disrupted our lives, so too did it with dressing rules. The tried and true fell by the wayside and left us with little or no guidance on what and how to wear and shop.

It used to be easy. In conservative-dressing corporate America, where I spent much of my career, it was simple: when meeting with your boss’ boss, you wore a suit. That’s two pieces—a jacket and either a matching skirt (women) or matching pants (men/women). The explosion of athleisure resulting from Covid may have forever blurred the lines. Now, matching suiting pieces look out of place, and instead are being replaced by “separates”, an outdated term.

Suit-wearing today is down about 80%, and men’s ties are almost non-existent. The new “must haves” in your closet need to be items that transition, not from day to day, but from working at home to working in the office all in the same day. Comfort and functionality are the new drivers and the means to this new look can come from a few items. Fabric is the focus, for it’s the key to looking effortless without looking sloppy.

Women’s new must haves are: black jeans (one charcoal, one true black); a fitted jacket of stretchable material, scuba or sweater; and a dark sneaker or brightly colored flat. Even as a basic, your jacket doesn’t need to be tan, navy, or black. Whether your style is edgy or classic, find ways to introduce color.

Men’s essentials now include: dark dress jeans; white soled shoes with leather or sneaker uppers; a ¼ zip, golf shirt-like pullover; and a button-down shirt with easy movement that doesn’t require starching. Here, choose a shirt with some synthetic and isn’t white. Men also need a well-fitting jacket that isn’t pretentious—double breasted is out. The jacket must do all duties so make sure it’s versatile to fit your needs, in color and texture.

Tammy’s Truism: Despite new rules, dress for the job you want. Watch what the boss wears and find a way to mimic them, it’s the surest way.