UK wardrobes getting “more formal” as office attendance rises – TK Maxx report

As working from home diminishes and more people head back into the office, “wardrobes are undergoing a transformation” as employees embrace a smarter yet still relaxed approach to dressing.

That’s according to a new survey from off-price retailer TK Maxx, which shows office staff are updating their wardrobes to reflect the modern workplace and are “stylish, adaptable, and, above all, comfortable”.

The shift’s being driven by hybrid work patterns, with 38% spending more days in the office than last year. Among younger professionals (aged 16–34), 62% say their wardrobe is now more formal, while this rises to 72% among senior staff (C-Suite and Senior Management).

But while office wear is getting smarter, “comfort rules”, the report finds, as 47% say it’s their top priority, ahead of looking professional (37%) or even dressing for the weather (33%).

Over a third also admit that switching between home and office makes outfit choices “more confusing”.

Overall, 45% of office workers are dressing more formally than before — but ‘formal’ has evolved. Today’s professionals are mixing ‘smart’ (27%) and ‘smart casual’ (25%) styles, with versatile pieces like blazers “bridging both worlds to deliver polish and practicality”.

Workwear is a key investment: 72% of employees buy clothes specifically for the office, with 40% maintaining a dedicated ‘work-only’ wardrobe. 

Younger workers are particularly likely to keep officewear separate from casualwear (16-24: 77%; 25-34: 81%), with an average spend of £119.75 per outfit. Men invest considerably more (£141) than women (£99).

For many, workwear is about more than just appearances with 28% enjoying dressing for work “as a way to showcase personal style”, while 24% say the right outfit “motivates them” for the day ahead.