ah, dreaded monday is here again.

a friend of mine is starting a new job at a tech startup this week and reached out for some advice on how to nail a very casual office dress code. While most people would be psyched to have the freedom to wear pretty much whatever you want to work, as a female who’s grown up in pretty formal business settings, I can relate to how untethering this transition might be. sometimes too many choices can be overwhelming.

first, let’s source some inspiration…

as you can see highlighted in many of the shots above, there are a few staples any working girl should own. these include a white cashmere crewneck, well tailored cropped black pants, a pointy flat (these or these) and a navy blazer. however, outside those parameters, i have come up with a pretty standard recipe of key items for getting dressed in a hurry monday – friday.

my six piece recipe:

Links (listed left to right)

studs: j.crew    elizabeth & james    blue nile    tiffany

jackets: iro    banana republic    helene berman

bags: asos    tory burch    proenza schouler    bvlgari

tops: banana republic    theory    iris & ink

bottoms: tibi    re/done    rebecca taylor    iro

shoes: jcrew    nicholas kirkwood   ann taylor    frye

CPs- are there things I missed? what are some of your go-to work staples? let me know!