Back-to-reality outfits8 looks to ease back into your daily grind

Beach days are over, but these looks make your work (or uni) comeback actually exciting.

By Julia Carevic

25 July 2025 · 2 min read

After every summer holiday comes the inevitable: returning to reality. And while that reality looks different for everyone, the same question haunts us all, “what do I wear now that my flip-flops are replaced by deadlines and dress codes again?”.

After weeks of styling swimwear and barely-there layers, putting on real clothes can feel like a mission. That’s exactly why we’re here to help you figure out how to get dressed for the daily grind again. Whether you’re studying in the campus library, pulling shifts at your café job, decoding client briefs, or crunching numbers at a desk, here’s what to wear to ease back into your routine.

The reality: Your desk calls you back.

The expiration of your out-of-office marks the return of hard-working wardrobe staples. Wide-leg trousers carry the ease of holiday dressing into the meeting room, while layered shirts and knitwear keep things polished and professional. Chic leather loafers make it easier to part ways with your favourite open-toe shoes. And if you need one more reason to embrace the daily commute, let it be this: you finally get to carry that big, slouchy bag everyone’s been talking about.

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The reality: From sipping iced lattes to pulling espresso shots on shift

You already know how to serve coffee, now it’s time to serve looks, too. As you enter a new season at your café job, don’t ditch your summer staples just yet. Try long-sleeved tops with shorter bottoms for that perfect in-between balance. And if you need something that works from a quiet morning to a mid-day rush, layer smart so you can stay cool under pressure. Think lightweight cardigans over tops or quarter-zips to let the air in.

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The reality: Feedback rounds replace pool laps

A creative job demands looks that keep pace with last-minute changes and client coffee meetings alike. In other words: you want outfits that feel as good as they look. Think comfy silhouettes, subtle colours, and bags roomy enough to hold everything from briefs to notebooks filled with daily affirmations.

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The reality: Late nights at the beach turn into late nights at the library

Yes, you may be swapping sunbathing for lectures, but it’s also your chance to become someone’s campus crush — or at least their new favourite outfit inspo. Plus, it’s your moment to dress up or down depending on your mood. Feeling chill? Wear baggy pants, and a laid-back jumper. Want to bring the drama? Step into your Clueless era and channel your inner Cher with a checkered skirt and modern layering.