The chilly start to autumn has been a boon for boutiques as office workers replenish their wardrobes with durable classics. The starring role goes to the traditional long wool coat which this year comes with a supporting cast of strong statement pieces.
Structured jackets take centre stage too, teamed with wide-flared trousers and elegant footwear. Suede jackets are back, in several styles and at various price points, while faux leather ankle boots for women, and traditional brogues for men, should provide a firm footing for anyone climbing the corporate ladder.
The business wardrobe for autumn-winter 2025 sees a return to designer tailoring and an emphasis on quality fabrics, from Donegal tweeds to alpaca wool blends, along with cashmere twin-sets and fitted shirts. The colour palette draws inspiration from our natural environment and a sepia-toned take on heritage, with shades of tanned leather, camel-flecked coats, cocoa browns and warm burgundies.
The look is one of sharp cuts, the tone professional and well groomed; it’s a statement wardrobe that says the wearer means business.
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Award-winning Irish designer Louise Kennedy rises to the occasion with an upmarket collection that highlights her distinctive fine tailoring, blending long maxi-coats with wide-leg trousers and light silk blouses. The Harper jacket is crafted from a navy metallic tweed with a subtle shimmer; the tailored shape features sculpted shoulders and silver-crested buttons for a statement finish. Style it with navy trousers for the office or dress it down with denim at the weekends.
Paul Costelloe delivers a rich array of cashmere V-neck wools in shades of brown, stone and creams – and uses a handy mix of fine-knit cardigans and short-sleeve tops over wide-legged trousers. He also has a range of long, slinkier cardigans that flow perfectly over trousers and maxi-length dresses. It’s more relaxed power dressing that is quietly understated and self-possessed, hitting all the right confident notes.
High street favourite & Other Stories, which has an outlet on Grafton Street in Dublin, has a number of checked skirts and sleeveless knitwear. Mango has returned to Dundrum Town Centre with some superfine suits in the latest checks, along with baby-blue sweaters, for men and women.
For men there are softly structured blazers, belted coats and relaxed trousers, offering comfort without compromising style.
John Taylor on Baggot Street is fortunate to be the only men’s clothing shop along this corporate stretch of Dublin 2 until you reach Louis Copeland’s on Pembroke Street. Taylor’s store has super labels such as Dressler, Herbie Frogg and Eden Park – plus sports jackets and fitted shirts that would fit right into the urbane young executive’s wardrobe. The men’s colour palette has shifted from the traditional black, grey and navy, leaning into the warmer tones – caramel, cinnamon, coffee and tan – that are dominating the season. These colours pivot seamlessly from formal meetings to more sociable post-work engagements.
For men and women, neutral wool jackets paired with pleated trousers and sleek leather loafers are a good office look this season, and there’s plenty of potential for mixing and matching separates so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel every morning.
Structured blazers with shorter hemlines and cinched waists are replacing heavier silhouettes, offering flattering, professional-looking contours. Mid-calf dresses with lighter jackets provide an elegant alternative to separates, particularly when worn with knee-high boots or ballet-pump-style shoes.
Choose a handful of power pieces – a neutral, single-breasted jacket, a belted midi-dress, pencil skirts – and build your work‑week outfits around them. Switch them around with a different, contrasting, fine-knit sweater or longline cardigan, along with belts and blouses, to create a wheel of seasonal shades and rotating ensembles.
Brushed wool houndstooth blazers teamed with ribbed cashmere turtlenecks, or silk blouses with neck bow detail, are conservative choices but eminently suitable for looking business ready. The emphasis on classic styles also means selecting less fussy accessories. So put the dangly earrings and jangly metal bracelets aside until night-time and choose amber pendants, leather belts, suede handbags in burgundy or chocolate and understated stone rings. Play up the office drama with boots, polished flat loafers, or sleek heels to complete the look.
For men, opt for less flashy leather-strapped watches and signet rings to complement rather than overwhelm.
There’s a practicality to this year’s autumnal style that aligns with key themes in the business world – sustainability, natural fabrics and top quality over quantity. Many of the key looks are worthy investment pieces that relay confidence and effortless sophistication.
The timeless looks are echoed on the high street from Mango, Zara, Dunnes Stores and Best Menswear. Ora, the Irish clothing label, also has a range designed for larger sizes with eye-catching designer twists from embossed jackets to directional and comfortable wraps, trousers and flared tops.
Zara’s autumn collection offers more affordable suede jackets, leather boots, refined knitwear – structured looks that feel quietly luxurious, typically translating runway trends into wearable office staples. They also blend aubergine, rich purples and burgundies into easy-wear skirts and dress rails.
Dunnes Stores, M&S and Shaws provide reliable workwear for smart executives and creative workers alike by uniting comfort and trend with accessible wardrobe heroes such as suede flats and slip-on shoes.
