What to Wear Wear

With more of us working remotely, at least part of the time, we’re here to help you navigate the shifting landscape of relaxed dress codes that includes activewear, designer kicks, and cashmere hoodies. We’ve come a long way from the “man in the gray flannel suit” era of the 1950s when men wore suits and ties on their daily commute. Post-pandemic, biz-leisure is emerging as the newest workplace trend for anyone working remotely—from a home office, a shared workspace, or a corner table at your favorite coffee shop. Slightly more sophisticated than yoga pants and a hoodie, biz-leisure wear takes you from your home office to the office to happy hour for drinks with colleagues. Think of the bizleisure trend as a mashup of business casual and comfortable loungewear. While it’s tricky to pull off—striking the right balance between the two is critical—it works when you do it right. Comfort is key, but you also want to look professional. So, no ripped jeans, vintage concert tees, or baggy sweatpants. Look for jeans in dark shades of denim like indigo or black. Straight-leg jeans work well with any silhouette from an oversized jacket to a classic T-shirt, while flared, wide-leg, and bootleg cuts look good with sneakers or kitten heels, allowing you to switch out your shoes for a dinner date or impromptu drinks with colleagues after work. Meanwhile, don’t be afraid to use your imagination, combining pieces that might seem incongruous at first, say, a button-down shirt with a pair of track pants. Look for hoodies in luxe fabrics like cashmere or silk. Choose neutral pieces in beige, white, or cream as well as classic colors like black, navy, and gray, adding a pop of color to boost your spirits as the day wears on. The idea is to build your wardrobe around a few comfortable pieces (a pair of tailored track pants and an essential tee). Then add layers—a pull-over sweater, an oversize jacket, a cashmere hoodie. For men, the biz-leisure trend includes timeless button-down shirts paired with joggers, chinos instead of khakis (too business casual), simple tees, shirts with mock collars, sporty blazers, boxy cardigans, soft sweaters and slip-on shoes in canvas or leather that pull a look together. Here are some of the key pieces you’ll want to get to achieve this look, and where to find them across the Districts.

DARK DENIM

Looking for jeans with a bit more formality than your Levi’s 501s? Free People in CITYCENTRE carries dark denim jeans in exaggerated silhouettes that really make a statement. While you’re in the neighborhood, check out the trouser-inspired dark jeans from Annina at Hemline. Then head over to Madewell and try on a pair of mid-rise stovepipe jeans to pair with everything from a classic tee to a boxy jacket.

TAILORED TRACK PANTS

You’ll find everything from low-rise flared styles to high-rise crops that are super comfy in a range of colors at lululemon, CITYCENTRE.

OVERSIZED BLAZERS

Find them at Madewell, CITYCENTRE, or Apricot Lane at Century Square, and pair them with jeans or track pants.

LUXE HOODIES

You’ll find a wide range of hoodies at Free People in CITYCENTRE. While you’re there, check out the hoodies at lululemon if you’re looking to add a pop of color to your wardrobe. Or check out the athletic line at Altr’d State for even more options.

ATHLETIC SHOES

Consider sneakers your go-to footwear with one caveat: They’ve got to be white without embellishment. You’ll find exactly what you want at Nike, Madewell, and Hemline, all in CITYCENTRE.

MENSWEAR

Head to Allen Edmonds in CITYCENTRE where you’ll find a wide range of wardrobe staples like mock turtleneck sweaters, button downs, polos, blazers, cashmere crew necks, and dark denim jeans. Check out their collection of edgy white sneakers and slip-on styles in leather and suede. At Onward Reserve in Century Square, College Station, you’ll find soft pullovers and hoodies, timeless sports coats in windowpane plaid, classic buttondowns, and city chinos, the staple dress pant you need right now to pair with a sport coat that will take you from office to date night.

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