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Written by Lois Joy Johnson, AARP, November 11, 2021

Working from home spoiled us. Isn't it good to not consider daily work clothes at 7 o'clock in the morning? Those of us attending online Zoom conferences learned to do half and half...and still do it! On the upper waist, we are all naked with shirts, jewellery and cosmetics, and on the lower waist we are wearing sweatshirts and slippers. But now it is back in business. Whether you are in a traditional office or cubicle, an open environment, a store, or visiting customers in person, you know that work clothes have undergone a minor makeover. Here are 10 ways to dial 9- to -5 style:

Photography: Macy's; Goal (2)

(From left to right) Avenue Plus Size Super Stretch Bootcut black average pants; Who What women’s brown turtleneck pullover; A New Day women’s Ellie Chelsea boots

If you like simple and refined styles, then buy a pair of black slim-fit flared trousers-the new essential work basic style. Choose updated models, such as Avenue Plus Size Super Stretch Bootcut Average Pants in Black ($55, macys.com), with ankle boots, such as A New Day Women's Ellie Chelsea Boots ($30, target.com) and turtleneck sweaters such as Who What Wear Women's Turtleneck Pullover Brown ($35, target.com). The combination of black and brown is also brand new, really allowing you to choose from the items already in your wardrobe.

Photography: Anthropology; Gap; DSW

(From left to right) Avec Les Filles Longline plaid blazer; Gap high-rise vintage slim jeans with dark indigo sink; Franco Sarto Carol 2 black loafers

This is an update of our retro dress-casual style. Don’t try old-fashioned suits with large shoulder pads and low-rise jeans. Instead, try a red patterned Avec Les Filles Longline plaid blazer ($148, anthropologie.com), and high-rise jeans like Gap High Rise Vintage Slim with Dark indigo Washwell jeans ($70, gap.com) and loafers with soles, such as Franco Sarto Carol 2 black loafers ($119, dsw.com/en/us). You can even make things simple, wear this appearance change five days a week. PS In each of the 10 appearances in this workwear column, the trick is to include at least one fashion item.

Photography: Madewell; The Gap; DSW

(From left to right) Madewell twill drawstring jogging pants; Gap Cozy stone beige half-zip sweater; Naturalizer Marianne sneakers – women's tan embossed leather

If you are unwilling to leave the comfort of sports and leisure, there is no reason to leave. The secret to wearing these casual outfits at work is to choose a mix of real clothes with sporty details. Try a jogging mix like Madewell Twill Drawstring Jogger Pants ($80, madewell.com) and add a sweatshirt-inspired pullover, such as Gap Cozy Half-Zip Sweater by Stone Beige ($80, gap.com), Wear leather sneakers like these Naturalizer Marianne slip-on sneakers-women's tan embossed leather ($85, dsw.com/en/us). Together, they create a pull-together effect, which is perfect for a neatly dressed workplace.

Photography: Zappos; J. Gil; Macy's

(From left to right) Fireside chestnut real sheared wool from Dearfoams Sydney; J.Jill Lakewood Merino wool top spiced wine; NYDJ plus size Sculpt-Her put-on Ponte flared pants black

For those of us who work from home, it's time to elevate our formula to a head-to-toe look. Although any colleague or client in a Zoom meeting or FaceTime will see you cocked at your waist, a complete set of "dress" will give you a psychological boost. Try a pair of slip-on ponte knit pants, such as NYDJ Plus Size Sculpt-Her slip-on Ponte Flare Leg Pant in Black ($89, macys.com). These are as comfortable as tights, but not as revealing or close-fitting. Add a slender sweater like J.Jill Lakewood Merino Sweater Tunic in Spiced Wine ($89, jjill.com) and roast lambskin lining clogs or mules like Fireside by Dearfoams Sydney real chestnut wool skin Wear ($50, zappos.com), don’t forget to make up! It is perfect for the days of WFH, but it is worn enough to grab your coat and put on your shoes.

Photography: Nadam; Catherine; Target

(From left to right) Naadam The Essential $75 black cashmere sweater women's clothing; Mocha Comfortview Poloma wide-leg boots; who wears a brown faux leather skirt

Although many of us wear pants or jeans during workdays, some people like the choice of skirt appearance, especially in cities or creative workplaces. No need to consider pencil skirts, shapewear and high heels. Leather skirts like Who What Wear Faux Leather Skirt in Brown ($35, target.com) can add a chic style to all your tops. Try to pair with kitten heel boots, such as Comfortview Poloma Wide Calf Boot from Mocha or Multi Snake ($108-130, catherines.com) and elegant sweaters, such as Naadam's The Essential $75 black cashmere women's sweater ($75, naadam.com) ), but know that this is a 24/7 multi-season single product that looks good with your wool boots and down vest.

Photography: Anthropology; Goal; Macy's

(From left to right) Pilcro The Skipper wide-leg jeans plus size black; Who What women's black floral long-sleeved top; Anne Klein Anne black faux leather blazer

Some of us like a bit of the fringe of the city center even in work clothes. The trick to making a cool look work at work is to start with jet black jeans as an alternative to formal pants (avoid fading and tearing black washes). Choose straight or wide-leg styles, such as Pilcro The Skipper wide-leg jeans plus size black ($130, anthropologie.com) as your base. Then add a puff sleeve shirt, such as Who What Wear Women's Plus Long Sleeve Top in Jet Black Floral ($30, target.com) for a feminine style, and pair it with a leather suit jacket, such as Anne Klein by Anne Black The leather suit jacket ($139, macys.com) is a commercial adjustment to the style of cycling.

Photography: J.Jill; Bloomingdale; Ann Taylor

(From left to right) J.Jill Wherever Navy Blue Slim Fit Pants; Aqua x Scout The City Balloon Cuff Button Front White Shirt; Ann Taylor Pearlescent Huggie Earrings

Of course, you have a bunch of ankle-length pants from the past working days, but are they high-waisted and elastic waists, as comfortable as sports pants? Do not? And those white shirts, are they college-style button-down shirts? I think so! New versions such as J.Jill Wherever Smooth-Fit Slim-Leg Pants in Navy Blue or Black ($79, jjill.com) have an elastic waist that fits tightly to your real waist, so that abdomen bulge and muffin tops are no longer a problem. Add a white shirt such as Aqua x Scout The City Balloon Sleeve Button-Front Shirt in White ($78, bloomingdales.com) and Ann Taylor Pearlized Huggie Earrings ($35, antaylor.com) to get a professional trio, you can Lasts 9 to 5 times and after a long time.

Photography: Macy's; Target; DSW

(From left to right) Calvin Klein waist mid-length sweater dress; charcoal gray A New Day women's plus cable knit cardigan; Impo Nelia black short boots

For those of us who are still wearing dresses, sweater dresses are another big trend worth trying. Stay away from leggings-knee tights and tight dresses, and stick to straight or fitted flared midi skirts, such as the Calvin Klein waist midi sweater dress ($90, macys.com), which is flatter but not overly curved. Add black Impo Nelia Bootie and other short boots ($70, dsw.com/en/us) and long cardigans, such as A New Day Women's Plus Cable-Knit Open Front Cardigan, charcoal gray ($35, target.com) to get Extra warmth or coverage. Think of this as your new twin.

Photography: DSW; Walmart; Alex Mill; Loft

Kate Spade Paris ballet flats (top left); C. Wonder Luna black quilted satchel (bottom left); Alex Mill ribbed sweater tunic in Heather Latte (middle); charcoal bird's eye knit Loft pull Ring wide leg pants (right)

Knitted two-piece suits are a big trend, but skip tight skirts and go straight to wide pants and tunics with sufficient shape, material and coverage, such as loft pull-on wide-leg pants in charcoal bird's eye knitting ($80 , Loft.com) and a Heather latte or navy blue Alex Mill ribbed sweater coat ($138, alexmill.com). Both are comfortable, but have enough shapes and materials to look like home clothes. Be sure to stick to rich neutral colors and choose a sweater long enough to cover your back. Simply add flat shoes and quilted leather bags, such as Kate Spade Paris Ballet Flat ($90, dsw.com/en/us) and C. Wonder Luna black quilted satchel ($40, walmart.com) to create Another elegant styling gap.

Photography: Macy's; MM Lafleur; 6 pm

(From left to right) Indigo/ivory Le Suit Plus Size pinstripe trousers; MM LaFleur The Rowling Top-Soft Wave in Alabaster; Faryl by Farylrobin Solara Cognac

Some of us work in companies or traditional fields, and pants like Le Suit Plus Size Pinstriped Pantsuit in Indigo/Ivory ($119, macys.com) are still open. Keep the structure and tailoring style, but use white draped jumpsuits or tops such as MM LaFleur The Rowling Top-Soft Wave in Alabaster ($145, mmlafleur.com) to give the look a new look. Then replace the pin-heeled shoes with thick heels, such as Faryl by Farylrobin Solara in Cognac ($45, 6pm.com), which can stand painlessly all day, or switch to flat shoes.

Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and fashion editor, focusing on women 50 years and older. She is the beauty and fashion editor of Ladies' Home Journal and the founding editor of More magazine. She wrote three books: Wake-up from Makeup, Wake-up from Wardrobe and Wake-up from Women.

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