Oliver Bonas’ AW26 workwear edit makes the case that 9-to-5 dressing can be playful, practical and just a little bit preppy.
There’s a particular kind of standoff that happens every autumn. It’s you, the wardrobe, and a Monday morning that has arrived far too quickly after the long, loose days of summer. The sundresses are out of season, the tracksuit bottoms are out of the question, and somewhere between the two lies the question every working woman eventually asks herself: when did getting dressed for work become so complicated?
And it got me thinking. Maybe the problem isn’t that we have nothing to wear. Maybe it’s that we’ve been dressing for an office that no longer exists. These days, the working week moves between the desk, the school run, the coffee meeting, the video call and, if we’re lucky, a glass of something cold at the end of it. What we need isn’t a uniform. It’s a wardrobe that can keep up.
Which is exactly where Oliver Bonas comes in. Its new AW26 collection, aptly named The Weekday Wardrobe, is built around subtle preppiness, punchy patterns and easy layers designed to work just as well outside the office as in it. Think wide-leg trousers, striped blouses and patterned midi dresses, and suddenly Monday looks a lot less daunting.
The art of mix and match
Every great wardrobe has a secret, and this one is refreshingly simple: separates. A handful of well-chosen pieces that work across seasons will do more for you than a rail full of one-hit wonders.
Wide-leg trousers lead the charge, offering that elusive combination of tailored and relaxed. The Red Striped Cropped Wide Leg Jeans (£70) are the kind of piece that looks considered without trying too hard, and they come into their own worn as a matching co-ord. Pair them with crisp cotton blouses or finer knits for layering, and you have a week’s worth of outfits before you’ve finished your first coffee.
Then there’s colour. Oliver Bonas is making a strong case for earthy mocha and classic blue denim, interrupted by unexpected flashes of cherry red and dusky pink. The Red Ribbed Short Sleeve Knitted Polo Top (£60), with its striped trims, has that collegiate, slightly retro charm that feels smart without being stiff. Oversized collars do a similar job, and the Mocha Brown & White Striped Frill Collar Cotton Shirt (£58) may well be the hardest-working piece in the edit.
Dress the part
Can a single garment really solve the morning rush? When it comes to the midi dress, I’m inclined to say yes.
There’s something deeply reassuring about the one-and-done outfit. No deliberating over which top goes with which trousers, no last-minute ironing crises. You simply step in, add a couple of accessories and walk out of the door looking entirely pulled together.
The Red Ditsy Floral V Neck Puff Sleeve Midi Dress (£80) is a gentle reminder that florals aren’t only for spring, while the Blue Striped Plate Print Shirred Bodice Midi Dress (£85) brings a quirky, almost conversational print to the table. Both transition easily as the weather turns: layer them with a knit, tights and boots for autumn, or go bare-legged with flats when the warmer months return. And for a more relaxed Friday, the brand suggests pairing a midi with a chunky necklace and classic Mary Janes, which is advice I fully intend to take.
Life beyond the 9-to-5
Here’s the truth about workwear: the best pieces never clock off. The blouse you wear to a 10am meeting should be just as at home at dinner on a Thursday night.
That’s where the softer details come in. Puff sleeves, scalloped trims, ruffled edges, embroidered florals and ruching all add a little romance to the working week, while crisp stripes remain the everyday hero. The Brown & White Striped Frill Collar Shirt (£58) captures that balance perfectly, sharp enough for the office, pretty enough for after hours.
As for shoes, the edit leans towards relaxed flats. Clarks’ chunky lace-ups and Birkenstock’s suede clogs feature throughout, blending heritage references with shapes that are genuinely easy to walk in. Because if there’s one thing the modern working woman has learned, it’s that nothing ruins a good outfit faster than shoes you can’t wait to take off.
The bag that does it all
And then, of course, there’s the bag. If our wardrobes are working harder than ever, our handbags are practically doing overtime. Laptop, charger, notebook, lip balm, snacks, the receipt you swore you’d file… it all has to go somewhere.
The ideal workday bag is roomy, has plenty of pockets and multiple handles, and goes with everything. Oliver Bonas covers every base here. The Emmie Black Backpack (£60) is the sleek, structured option for the commute, while the Emma Brown Mini Tote Crossbody Bag (£48) is perfect for the days you want to travel light. And for anyone who carries their office with them, the Green & Cream Gingham Laptop Case (£32) proves that practical doesn’t have to mean boring.
The final word
So, is the perfect work wardrobe a myth? Perhaps. But a wardrobe that makes Monday mornings a little easier, a little brighter and a lot more you? That feels entirely within reach.
Oliver Bonas’ Weekday Wardrobe isn’t about reinventing how we dress for work. It’s about remembering that work is only one part of the day, and that what we wear should be ready for all of it.
The full workwear collection is available at oliverbonas.com/fashion/workwear and in Oliver Bonas stores across the UK and Ireland.
About Oliver Bonas
Oliver Bonas is an independent British lifestyle brand designing its own distinctive fashion and homeware. Founded by Oliver Tress, who opened the first store in London in 1993, the brand now trades online internationally and from more than 90 stores across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, with a mission to make living a joyful experience.
Prices correct at time of publication.
New store open
Oliver Bonas opened its first-ever Tees Valley store at Teesside Park on 3 October. To celebrate the launch, Oliver Bonas will host an in-store event on Saturday 10 October, featuring a live DJ creating a vibrant shopping atmosphere, alongside scratch cards for the first 200 customers, offering them the chance to win exclusive prizes.
