How to Wear Athleisure to the Office (Plus 10 Must-Have Items to Shop) (2024)

Best Joggers

We prefer joggers over flared knit pants or sweatpants, as they aren’t quite so baggy or flowy but are still supremely comfortable and this lululemon pair is our top pick for fall 2021. We love the subtle detail of a stripe down the sides, and the scuba material looks more polished than cotton or nylon. It’s also less likely to wrinkle or crease so you’ll continue to look professional long past 5 PM. We suggest you wear these joggers with a crisp white button-down and coordinating white sneakers, or a structured shell top and pointy-toe flats.

Best Tank Top

Especially while temperatures are still high, we’re all about wearing sweat-wicking pieces that don’t necessarily look like gym wear. This top, which comes in five colors, works well with a regular T-shirt bra and is a phenomenal layering piece for just about any type of office environment. Layer it under a blazer or cardigan, or tuck it into some structured joggers and you’ll be sitting pretty, no matter how humid it gets this week.

Best Sweatshirt

Making sweatshirts look office-appropriate can be pretty tricky.Avoid hoodies or anything with a kangaroo pouch, and leave the graphics for the weekend. Your best best is to try something like this 3/4-zip design from Everlane, made from a sturdy cotton blend, rather than terry cloth which can feel far too casual. Layer a coordinating black-and-white stripe tee underneath or a white button-down for a pop of fun.

Best Sweater Dress

Yes, this dress comes with a side slit (which may not work for offices with more intense dress codes), but it isn’t too high, in our opinion, and can be easily played down with the addition of a blazer or cardigan and a leather belt cinched at the waist. Plus, the ridiculous soft wool-silk material is just too luxe not to wear as often as humanly possible.

Best Jumpsuit

We love a good one-piece wonder for mornings when we just can’t be bothered to try to mix and match separates. This cotton number from Anthropologie is loose, but not too loose, and looks as good with a blazer and heels as it does with a pull-over knit and loafers.

Best Sneakers

Not all athletic sneakers look good with workwear staples, but this supremely comfy classic style from New Balance definitely does. The gray color of these dad-approved shoes helps them to blend in with neutral-hued office attire better than a neon blue or bright red sneaker ever would. Plus, they’re perhaps the comfiest sneakers we’ve ever worn, so embrace the 990s now while they’re still considered cool and trendy.

Best Track Pants

If you don’t love the ankle-hugging silhouette of joggers, try a pair of wide-leg track pants, like this Adidas style, instead. The seams down the front mimic your old go-to trousers, and the legs are just the right amount of flowy to look easy but not messy. If you’re going to rock track pants, we say stick with simple black and white and pair them with other black or white staples—a button-down shirt, a slim-fit turtleneck, pointy-toe flats—for a streamlined look.

Best Elevated Knit Set

The key to pulling off a knit set like this one is to choose fabrics with enough heft and texture, and use accessories to elevate the outfit. Beige leather or suede loafers or flats, pearl earrings or a simple gold pendant will look way more polished than backless slides, chunky chains or colorful jewelry. Add in a sleek handbag for good measure.

Best Lounge Dress

For those not yet ready to give up forgiving, oversize silhouettes, try a swing dress in place of your favorite nightgown. This long-sleeve version from eco-friendly company Pact is easy to dress up or down depending on your company’s expectations. A shorter length also means you won’t get swallowed up by an excess of flowy fabric.

Best Bralette

OK, so realistically no one at work should know what you’ve got going on under your clothes, meaning you should wear whatever makes you most comfortable. That said, this bralette is our absolute favorite for everyday wear for two reasons: it’s ridiculously comfortable, and it provides real support for those with larger chests while maintaining a flattering shape, i.e., no uni-boob, smashed chest or droopy situations here. It also has removable cups so you can maximize coverage at the office. This pull-over styles runs from a S to an XXXL, with sizes corresponding to band size (34 through 44) more than cup. (Although we highly recommend checking the size chart before you order.)

Editor

Abby Hepworth is an RRCA-certified running coach who has worked in fashion for over 10 years. Want to know what shoes are in this season? She's got you. Need recommendations on...