For consumers For business
person wearing smart dress for the office from whimsy and row
15 Oct
person wearing smart dress for the office from whimsy and row

The Ultimate Guide to More Sustainable Office Workwear

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Whether your work is hybrid or you’re in the office every day, we’re here to help with more sustainable workwear options.

Finding your office look

Office dress codes aren’t as strict as they were, say, 30 years ago, when many people donned suits and shirts to go to work every day.

In 2026, things are more flexible, and outfit rules are often dictated by the type of business you work for. In finance? You might still be putting on a two-piece or going business-casual every day. Those in creative studios might find jeans and casual shirts more appropriate. One thing both have in common, though, is the need to look put-together. No matter what your office dress code is, you’ll want to turn up looking sharp and considered, and it helps if your clothes are more sustainable, too.

Fast fashion garments may be a so-called “easy win” in terms of upfront cost and availability, but in the long run, they’re more likely to fall apart quickly, look scruffy due to cheap fabrics like polyester, and have a poor fit thanks to corners being cut in manufacturing and garment design. And while items from more sustainable brands do have a higher price point, it’s likely that they’ll stay in your wardrobe for longer, meaning a better cost-per-wear over time.

Our advice when updating your office wardrobe? Buy less but better.

Opt for a curated colour palette and be intentional when buying separates to ensure you can mix and match them, and get the most mileage out of a smaller selection of clothes. If you can, shopping your existing collection of clothes is the most sustainable option. Second to that is pre-loved items from the likes of eBay, Vinted, or Vestiaire Collective. And if you do need to buy new, we’ve lined up some of the best, top-rated brands in our directory to help you below.

Which fabrics are best for officewear?

Synthetic fabrics like polyester may be durable, but they are made from harmful fossil fuel-derived ingredients, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and cause microplastic pollution later on in the garment life cycle. Cheap synthetics also lack the quality and refinement of plant-based fibres like cotton and linen, which will continue to look great after years of wear when cared for correctly.

Organic cotton, linen, hemp, and recycled wool are all great choices for the office because their temperature regulating properties will do the trick no matter whether the air-con is blowing on freezing or it’s a particularly warm day.

If you’re looking for a dress or skirt that drapes well, consider Tencel Lyocell or Modal, or bamboo viscose as lower impact alternatives to traditional viscose and virgin polyester. Bookmark our ultimate guide to materials for a helpful reminder on the lower impact fabrics to invest in.

Clothing for the office

clothes from more sustainable brands for the office and work

Whimsy + Row Ryan Dress

Neem Comfort Shirt

Santicler Zoe Sweater

Akyn Noor Blazer

Alchemist Masey Vest

Knowledge Cotton Apparel @ Brothers We Stand Overshirt

WILDA.ECO Personalisable Blazer and Trousers

E.L.V. Denim Jamie Blazer

The Knotty Ones January Cardigan

Lanius Striped Midi Shirt Dress

Komodo India Vest

Artknit Studios Tailored Trousers with Pleats

 

More sustainable shoes, bags, and accessories for the office

shoes and bags from more sustainable brands for work and the office

Mashu Artemis Bag

ESSEN Modern Moccasin Shoes

Ucon Acrobatics Adina Backpack

COG Vegan Chelsea Boots

ASK Scandinavia Willow Tote Bag

Nae Vegan Slingback Shoes

Agazi Helen Vegan Loafers

LaBante Danai Vegan Backpack

Groundtruth Rikr Vegan Laptop Bag

BEEN London Orton Vegan Laptop Sleeve

Torrain Padded Laptop Sleeve

Elvis & Kresse Firehose Notebook

Editor's note

Feature image via Whimsy + Row, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion and beauty brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals.

We updated this article on 11 March 2026. Our editors frequently make updates to articles to ensure they’re up to date. We updated the guide and refreshed our selection of brands to ensure we’ve included those with recent ratings.

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