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Your ultimate guide to a trendy, yet professional work wear wardrobe for 2019

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Naomi Campbell attends the Louis Vuitton Menswear Fall/Winter 2019-2020 show.
Naomi Campbell attends the Louis Vuitton Menswear Fall/Winter 2019-2020 show.

So you've been at work for about two or three weeks now... in last year's office essentials because January funds haven't really allowed for a visit to the mall yet. 

Well with payday coming up on Friday, your work wear can look forward to a software update of its own. 

READ MORE: Celebrities are loving this Jean Paul Gaultier blazer that you could never wear to work 

The trapeze act of balancing your professional attire - especially if you work in traditional corporate spaces - can be a tiresome task that may have you gravitating towards a uniform of sorts. 

And while that may sound like a bad thing, we actually highly recommend a Monday to Friday 'uniform' to keep you on top of your game.

Yes, the word "uniform" may seem like you'll be confined to boring greys and Margaret Thatcher below-the-knee skirts, but what's implied by that term is simply that you should try allocate certain key items that will establish your office style DNA. 

READ MORE: 3 new things to consider when dressing this week

Once you apply this approach, you may soon be referred to as "Lerato from finance, who wears all those chic floral dresses".

For example, my work uniform entails several neutral-toned tees - black, white or navy - that I pair with trendier skirts/pants and shoes. It's that simple. 

So here are five items to consider making your office staples no matter your profession:

Monday: Blazers

Accountants, financial advisers and anyone else who handles big bucks usually have an affinity for blazers and suits. In 2019, you may want to be a little more daring with your go-to office blazers.

Try brighter colours, new textures and less fitted styles. 

Image: Getty

Shop: 

Pinstripe bell sleeve blazer, R499 from Superbalist

R499, Superbalist

Tuesday: Short-sleeved neutral tee

With Monday meetings out the way, your Tuesday office look can be a bit more relaxed. A neutral short-sleeved tee with a statement skirt and heels is just what you need to say, "professional, but make it fashion".

Oh, and never underestimate the power of the black poloneck in the cooler seasons - there's a reason Steve Jobs swore by it.

Shop:

This must-have statement midi skirt to pair with your tee. R399 on sale at Zara

R399, Zara

Wednesday: feminine blouses and dresses

There's something about Wednesdays that just inspires a feminine outfit. It might be the #WCW hashtag or the Mean Girls commandment which dictates that "on Wednesdays, we wear pink". 

It would therefore be a good idea to save your dresses for Wednesdays. 

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Something Blue ?? ??: @marvy_mds_photos

A post shared by Zovuyo Zoe Msutwana (@zoemsutwana) on

Shop:

Print Tie Neck Midi Dress. R799 at Studio W, Woolworths

R799, Studio W

Leopard print blouse, R699 at Jo Borkett

R699, Jo Borkett

Thursday: Palazzo pants

As you start to feel the week's fatigue kicking in, you might want to adopt minimalism. Palazzo pants, wide leg trousers or even joggers (depending where you work) are ideal for this, as they are the professional, trendy equivalent of yoga pants - comfortable and versatile.

Again, a neutral tee (or a top in the same colour as the pants) will complete this look quite well.

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Shake loose my skin

A post shared by Shiona Turini (@shionat) on

Shop: 

Black bootleg pants. R299 from Superbalist

R299, Superbalist

Checked culottes. R299 on sale at Zara

R299, Zara

Friday: Denim

While young professionals in creative industries enjoy the privilege of wearing jeans any day they so desire, people whose work requires them to power dress daily, look forward to their causal Fridays every week.

It's like civvies day for adults, except you don't have to pay R5 to wear your own clothes. 

Shop:

Levi's® Ribcage pleated crop, ON THE FENCE, R1299

R1299, Levi's

Levi’s® Rib Cage jeans will be available from Levi’s® stores from February 2019.

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