The best Australian and New Zealand workwear brands for the office and beyond
IMAGE VIA @blanca_studio/instagram
WORDS BY AMY FOCIC AND FASHION JOURNAL
Who says office wear or business attire can’t be stylish?
If you’re struggling to put together outfits for the office, you’re not alone. It can be hard to find the right balance between stylish and semi-serious; cool but still corporate. But with the right office wardrobe, it’s easy to make the morning rush a no-brainer.
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To help you out, we’ve put together a curated selection of our favourite work-appropriate Australian and New Zealand labels. The selection covers everything from tailored two-piece suits, colourful midi dresses, bold collars and denim coats, so whatever you prefer to wear to work, you’ll be covered.
Blanca Studio
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Can’t get enough of button-up shirts in endless colours? Blanca, by cult label Reliquia Collective, is your go-to for when you return to the office. In pastel candy stripes and contrasting brights, you’ll no doubt find a shirt for every day of the week.
Ess.Bee
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Naarm-based label Ess.Bee designs clothing to save you on those days when you open your wardrobe and don’t know what to wear. With menswear-inspired silhouettes, clever tailoring and perfected basics, they’re the kind of pieces you’ll instinctively reach for without thinking.
Wynn Hamlyn
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Auckland label Wynn Hamlyn fuses classic and alternative silhouettes to create garments that lend themselves well to a workwear shake-up. Its collection of shirts, trousers and tops could easily be worn outside of the office, too.
Beare Park
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Australian-made ready-to-wear label Beare Park creates elevated and well-crafted items, fit for the nine-to-five grind and beyond. Luxurious fibres and contemporary cuts make this label a step above your typical workwear brand.
St. Agni
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St Agni is an independent label out of Byron Bay that is known for its modern, utilitarian tailoring. From its range of basic T-shirts and long-sleeve tops to its suiting and outerwear, its styles are timeless, designed to transcend trend cycles.
Maggie Marilyn
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A leader in the sustainable and ethical fashion space, New Zealand label Maggie Marilyn makes clothing that elevates work dressing into a luxurious experience. Its range of blazers make us want to wear a pantsuit every day, but they’d be ideal for pairing with jeans, too.
Par Moi
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Feel like bringing a bit of the statement collar trend to work? Par Moi has got your back. Its collection of whimsical blouses (among other magical garments) are made-to-order from deadstock fabric in Melbourne.
Après Studio
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Founded in 2018, Après Studio makes pieces that you can wear to the office, and out for drinks afterwards. Find pieces that cheekily toe the line between corporate and casual, including woollen coats, plaid blouses and striped basics.
She Societe
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Sophisticated workwear you’ll also want to party in? Yes please. Melbourne-based label She Societe has nailed its style offering with its signature essentials, the Ace shirt and Pin-Tuck pants, in a variety of sleek fabrics.
Olivia Cashmore
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Considered detailing, beautiful ruching and an ethical supply chain make Olivia Cashmore an easy choice for those looking for an elegant, androgynous workwear look. The Auckland-based label specialises in made-to-wear pieces intended to last a lifetime.
HB Archive
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If you’re looking for conscious, comfortable separates for the office, Melbourne-based label HB Archive offers a variety of pieces made from sustainable materials. Make getting dressed in the morning easy with warm neutrals and trans-seasonal silhouettes.
Kowtow
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Iconic New Zealand slow fashion label Kowtow makes clothing that can shift easily between work and leisure. Boxy shapes in pops of colour and timeless neutrals mean there’s something for everyone going back to the office.
Lee Mathews
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Shake up your daily uniform with Sydney-based label Lee Mathews. Subversive silhouettes bring an unconventional, yet practical and professional look to Mathews’ pieces. Infusing the classics with a looser, sleeker fit, Mathews’ collections are an easy choice for a wardrobe upgrade in the office.
Pave
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Pave is a modern workwear brand fusing fashion and functionality. Its timeless, considered pieces are crafted in premium materials and designed with versatility in mind. Plus, Pave’s merino garments look incredibly soft.
Foemina
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Queensland-founded label, Foemina, makes pieces for the modern minimalist. Balancing femininity and utility, and committing fully to purposeful design, its vision reflects a foundational approach to dressing. Find structured silhouettes and feminine tailoring, crafted from natural fibres.
Penny Sage
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Want to inject a bit of colour into your work wardrobe? New Zealand label Penny Sage should be the first place you look. With plenty of flattering tops, skirts and dresses in a rainbow of colours to choose from, dressing for work will no longer be boring.
Mahsa
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Work shirts don’t have to be boring. New Zealand label Mahsa proves this tenfold with its collection of bold blouses coming in a selection of natural fabrics and colourways. Stop by its trousers and outerwear sections, too.
Paris Georgia
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Contemporary New Zealand label Paris Georgia creates clothing inspired by the women who wear it. Launched in 2015 by friends Paris Michelle Temple and Georgia Cherrie, the womenswear brand combines high-quality fabrications, timeless silhouettes and feminine detailing.
Jillian Boustred
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With a sustainable and ethical ethos at its core, Jillian Boustred is the place to go for work-appropriate clothing that doesn’t harm the planet or people. May we suggest the Stevie Chunky Knit Jumper in Khaki? The perfect layering piece for when the office is just a little too chilly.
Marle
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New Zealand label Marle creates ethical and sustainable pieces that will endure for many years to come. Its floaty blouses, transeasonal knits and linen dresses would make a welcome addition to any work wardrobe.
E Nolan
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Spearheaded by designer and tailor Emily Nolan, E Nolan creates made-to-measure suits and ready-to-wear pieces that are created to last a lifetime. After all, as Emily believes, a well-made suit is a versatile item in anyone’s wardrobe.
Friends With Frank
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Driven by the ethos of quality over quantity, Friends with Frank garments slot nicely into your selection of work-appropriate clothes. In a palette of classic neutrals, the brand’s outerwear collection is a luxe addition for the cooler months.
Twenty-Seven Names
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Twenty-Seven Names is known for its whimsical prints that’ll bring a touch of whimsy to your work outfits, from well-made statement coats and shirts to vintage-inspired mini skirts and dresses. Designed and made in New Zealand using conscious materials and deadstock fabrics, it’s an investment purchase you can feel good about.
Scanlan Theodore
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Iconic Australian label Scanlan Theodore offers an elevated tailored capsule for your workwear needs. The brand’s collection, which includes a range of heels, spans muted tones and pastels – so go co-ord or colour block.
Elk the Label
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Elk’s pieces are a thoughtful combination of vibrant prints, unique silhouettes and consciously-made knits. The brand’s accessories collection also features a range of jewellery, bags, sunglasses and more, so you can complete your office-ready outfit.
Camilla and Marc
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Loved Australian label Camilla and Marc has a focus on high-end design and tailoring with an unexpected edge. Its investment pieces, like the classic Grayson Blazer, are made from premium materials and are designed to complement any wardrobe.
Albus Lumen
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Complementing its collection of homewares and accessories, Albus Lumen’s clothing offering is sleek and timeless – what we all want for workwear that endures. The tailored separates will stand the test of time.
Looking to create a capsule work wardrobe? Try this.
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