Most of us tend to stick to the basics when it comes to workwear. It is mostly whites, greys, blues and blacks. And yes, we do it because we want to keep our look clean, concerted and professional, which is why experimenting with fits that are slightly more inventive does not even occur to us.

But let’s look at the brighter side of being experimental with workwear. You are not setting out to wear something wildly inappropriate. You are not presenting yourself as unprofessional. You are merely expressing yourself with looks that accommodate both style and professionalism.

And if you can do it well, you will draw just the right kind of attention towards yourself. You can wear outfits that state your personality, but do not disrupt the decorum of workplaces. Yes, this can be a tricky balance to strike, particularly because so many of us are practiced to picking the safest clothes for work that creating a more polished look can feel like an added task.

It really does not have to be so difficult, and as we decode these next looks for you – you will see precisely how workwear can be edgier, cooler and just as sharp.

5 Edgy Work Outfits For Men

Outfit 1 - Pleated navy pants + Polo neck mustard full-sleeve shirt + Brown check wool blazer + Suede penny loafers

The first step to experimenting with the outfits you wear to work is to spruce up the palette. So instead of going for the plain old blues and greys, go for earthier tones. See how the classic mustard turtleneck makes the outfit stand out, while the pleated black trousers balance it out and root the overall outfit?

The beige plaid sweater adds a formal tone to the look, making sure you can switch from a more casual work day into a meeting. The brown suede penny loafers compliment the mustard tone beautifully, making the whole outfit look concerted.

Outfit 2 - Dark brown chinos + White broad vertical stripe shirt + Brick red balzer with a pocket square + Black suede loafers

If you still want to have an element of the formal tones, you can go for a striped shirt like this one. These have been the staples of every workwear wardrobe for a very long time now, and this one holds the outfit together.

The tawny brown shade of the blazer contrasts with the shirt, and the olive chinos and dark brown loafers bring out the overall silhouette of the look. Of course, there is one element that help the outfit stand out subtly – the pocket square, that matches the stripes on the shirt.

Outfit 3 - Beige chino + Light purple shirt + Bold big check burgundy blazer 

The absolute star of this outfit is the checkered burgundy blazer. It is statement piece, and for all the right reasons. The color stands out. The cut is extremely flattering. And it is still formal, but it has this unmissable debonair impact. To make something like this work, let the rest of the outfit balance it out.

The pale pastel shirt allows the burgundy to have its moment, the tie matches the blazer perfectly, and the light beige trousers maintain the overall fit of the outfit, but also allow adds a balance to the look. Accessorize with a classic watch and tortoise shell frames, and you are golden.

Outfit 4 - Black corduroy pants + Crisp white shirt + Light grey check pattern jacket 

For this next outfit, we are playing safer with the color palette. In case you want to stick to the basics and still be inventive, this is the one for you. Go for your classic white shirt, but instead of the same old boring gray blazer, go for a grey tweed jacket with a Glen check.

This pattern, also known as the Prince of Wales check, has been a classic for more than a century now. You cannot go wrong with it. You can also ditch the plain black trousers and pick a corduroy one.

Outfit 5 - Dark brown pants + Black and White vertical stripe shirt + Beige blazer + Black leather loafers

Here’s another idea with a striped shirt – instead of hiding the pattern under plain blacks and greys, go for a jacket in a different palette. A classic beige can do wonders for the stripes, bringing the color out. Most men’s shirts have one of three kinds of stripes.

This one, called the Bengal stripe, has a slimmer width for the stripes, so it is a little understated anyhow. The jacket and the dark grey trousers draw the focus towards the blue jacket. The classic black shoes with a rounded tip balance out the whole look.