• Celebrity
    • OTE – Meagan Good
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Best In Black Beauty 2023
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for ESSENCE Newsletters the keep the Black women at the forefront of conversation.

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
Select the newsletters you'd like to receive:
Please select at least one option.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • OTE – Meagan Good
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Best In Black Beauty 2023
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · How-To

15 Office Approved Looks You Can Wear From Work To Play

The 'new' business casual.
The New Business Casual
By Crystal Tate · Updated October 26, 2020

When you have plans after work, it can be a pain trying to figure out an outfit that’s appropriate for the office and cute enough to wear to happy hour. We’re going to help make getting dressed for your 9-5 (and after-work drinks!) a breeze with 15 stylish office-approved looks you can wear now or later.

01
ASOS CURVE Jumpsuit in Scuba with Cape Detail

From office hours to happy hour, a jumpsuit like this ASOS one is a great pick. $68, asos.com

The New Business Casual
02
Saks Fifth Avenue Cinq à Sept Garnet Off-The-Shoulder

Contemporary brand Cinq à Sept was actually inspired by the hours between 5 and 7pm in French. Our day to night pick is their Garnet off-the-shoulder dress. $465, saksfifthavenue.com

The New Business Casual
03
AYR The Long Trench Dress

We love this trench dress to wear by itself, or over a top and pants for work or play. $385, nordstrom.com

The New Business Casual
04
Banana Republic Peplum Flounce Dress

This magenta flounce dress is gorgeous enough to wear from the boardroom to the bar. $128, bananarepublic.com

The New Business Casual
05
New York & Company Eva Mendes Collection Estera Bell-Sleeve Dress

We love Eva Mendes’ collection at New York & Company, and we especially love this on-trend bell sleeve dress. $74.95, nyandcompany.com

The New Business Casual
06
Club Monaco Tilli Sweater Skirt

A lurex pleated skirt like this Club Monaco one is professional enough to wear during the day, and pretty enough to wear in the evening. $179.50, clubmonaco.com

The New Business Casual
07
Express Striped Mock Neck Sheath Dress

You can easily dress up or dress down this simple and chic striped sheath dress. $69.90, express.com

The New Business Casual
08
Genuine People Velvet V Neck Strap Midi Dress

Wear a turtleneck or button down under this velvet sleeveless midi dress to work, and feel free to wear alone after six o’clock. $89, genuine-people.com

The New Business Casual
09
Karen Millen Textured Knit Mini Dress

Throw a blazer over this striking blue pencil dress for the office, and wear alone for drinks after work. $199, karenmillen.com

The New Business Casual
10
H&M Imitation Leather Skirt

We love a faux leather skirt for a night out but you can also easily dress down for work. $39.99, hm.com

The New Business Casual
11
JcPenney Black Label by Evan-Picone Sleeveless Fit & Flare Dress

You can never go wrong with a LBD especially a fit and flare style. $49.99 (on sale), jcp.com

The New Business Casual
12
Mango Ruffled Cotton Shirt

A white shirt like this ruffled one is the perfect match for that badass leather skirt. $45.99, shop.mango.com

The New Business Casual
13
Zara V-Neck Choker Sweater

A choker sweater dress is our pick for staying on trend in the office and after work. $39.90, zara.com

The New Business Casual
14
Ted Baker ‘Wandee’ Color Block Fitted Dress

This gorgeous fitted Ted Baker dress is business in the front, and party in the back! $315, tedbaker.com

The New Business Casual
15
Kate Spade

A colorful silk dress like this Kate Spade one can be worn year round to the office, after work and more! $498, katespade.com

The New Business Casual
TOPICS:  ASOS Banana Republic Zara
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now