Alexandra Martin is a wearwell stylist living in NYC. When she's not creating stylist picks for wearwell members, she enjoys cooking old-school vegan health food, reading historical nonfiction, diving into astrology, and hanging out with her beloved friends.
There’s so much to admire about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: she’s an environmental activist, the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, and a fierce advocate for marginalized people. While AOC’s momentous win and ongoing achievements are why we love her, I think we can all agree that she does it in style.
Many women I style at wearwell ask for ways to observe a business professional dress code without looking stodgy or losing their personal sense of style. AOC picks her style battles as wisely as her political ones: she typically opts for classic, decorous outfits and lets a little bit of her personality shine through with accessories. She’s able to strike a perfect balance of keeping it professional yet elegant, and you can too!
Read on for my favorite sustainable professional picks and a few tricks to keep it real while dressing for the office - whether it’s on Capitol Hill or not.
All About the Blazer
A blazer is like a magical cheat code to professional polish. Try on the Eileen Blazer or the Jaspal Boyfriend Blazer.
Add them over dresses that offer more coverage like the Corey Rib Dress or the Gracie Dress for an easy office-friendly look that doesn’t hide your shape.
Senate Worthy Separates
For professional tops, I love the Joni Classic Shirt and the Aspen Shirt, two options that have a tidy look and layer perfectly without any cling.
Nuon Top | Sothy Jersey Trousers
For a more snug base that won't look bulky under jackets, you can’t go wrong with the Nicole Bodysuit and Jill Top or the Kenzie Top and Nuon Top in warmer months. The RJ Pant pairs beautifully with a black blazer and the Sothy Jersey Trousers have you covered if you like AOC’s habit of wearing light tones and your office skews more casual.
The Eve Wide Leg Trousers have just a touch of vintage flair, making them a fun option for a corporate setting. The Reese Velvet Trousers are also professional with texture that adds some visual interest.
Accessorize To Make It Your Own
Details are a way to push the boundaries just a little. AOC said that seeing Sonia Sotomayor wear red nail polish at her confirmation hearings helped her feel confident to wear hoop earrings. Try out the Stella Hoops, Gabriela Hoops, or Serina Hoops for a touch of play at work.
While less symbolic, AOC’s statement necklaces also beat the usual blahs of professional dress. She picks bold ones to confidently stand out; the Salla Necklace, Bailey Necklace, and Niha Necklace are the perfect ethically-made options to incorporate into your work wardrobe.
For ethically-made, professional footwear, The Sofia, The Sabina, and The Camila are sure to go with everything in your work wardrobe. The Olivia Shoulder Bag and the Georgia Tote are professional and roomy enough for laptops (or copies of the environmental legislation you’re working on getting passed)!
