If you are starting your first office job or simply in need of some wardrobe inspiration, these television shows and movies will provide just that. I’ve compiled this list based on characters that have a consistently enviable office wardrobe and where the clothes can actually be worn at a real workplace. This means no cleavage and skirts that fall just above the knee or lower. It’s an added bonus that these shows and movies are actually very watchable, so check them out.

Gina Torres as Jessica Pearson from Suits
Jessica Pearson dresses like a Boss. She really pulls of sexy yet conservative power dressing, perfect for her position as the Managing Partner of law firm, Pearson Hardman. Her signature look is an impeccably tailored pencil dress where I can just tell that the fabric alone costs my monthly rent payment. If your play is fake-it-til-you-make-it, look good while doing it in a Jessica Pearson inspired outfit.

Amanda Schull as Katrina Bennett from Suits
Katrina Bennett is an Associate at Pearson Hardman. I would describe her style as preppy, youthful yet professional, favouring prints, cardigans and pencil skirts. Note I have purposely left Rachel Zane from Suits off this list, as gorgeous as some of her outfits are, I don’t think I could replicate the ‘strategic half-open business shirt’ look without raising a few eyebrows, what holds it in place?!

Rose Byrne as Natasha Redfern in I Give It a Year
Natasha is some kind of executive at a marketing firm. Her style is sophisticated in a neutral palette and her clothes are either tailored and form fitting or effortless and loose. The beauty of it is that most of her looks can be easily replicated shopping at places like Zara, Saba, Marcs etc.

Jennifer Aniston as Brooke Meyers in The Break Up
Brooke manages an art gallery and is an all black, sleek, tailored dresses kind of woman. I adored and would wear all of the outfits in this movie, except the casual look with the blue denim jeans, an item of clothing I haven’t come to embrace.

Rose Byrne as Ellen Parsons in Damages
Yes, Rose Byrne gets another mention as the kinda ambitious, kinda personality-less Ellen Parsons, a law graduate who gets taken under the wing of an evil and powerful lawyer. Ellen plays it very safe in dark tones, however wears an enviable amount of designer clothing (Burberry, Armani, Chanel, Valentino) mixed with a little bit from the high street, such as Zara. If you are starting out in a top-tier firm and are after some fail safe looks, start here.

Christina Hendricks as Joan Holloway in Mad Men 
This is my ‘just for fun eye candy that I could never pull off in a million years‘ entry. Joan is the office manager at Sterling Cooper, an advertising agency based in New York in the 60′s. Her style is extremely curve hugging and feminine, yet somehow managing to be demure. I think it’s the perfect hair and make-up, and lack of short skirts.

I’m always up for a new show to watch, so if you have any to add to this list, please drop me a comment.

That Career Girl