One of the mamas I interviewed for the Back to Work capsule said it in almost these words: “I need to look professional again, but I’m still pumping. Nothing works.” Winter makes that sentence heavier, because now there is a coat in the way as well. The mamas I interviewed for the Back to Work capsule had the same two rules for the cold months: a coat that opens all the way to the hem, so a car-park feed before the commute does not mean undressing, and a top underneath that unbuttons or lifts over a clip tank.

Here are ten winter work outfits built on those two rules, every one pictured below. Long coats in black, navy and camel over polo knits, shirts, a satin shirt dress, a turtleneck, a half-zip. I work from my kitchen table, so these are their outfits more than mine; the formula is the one I would use anywhere.

1. The black coat over a striped polo knit and a lace skirt

A long black coat over a black and white striped long-sleeved polo knit and a black bra, a black lace midi skirt with an elastic waist, black patent slingbacks, a black watch, a striped scarf and a black bag. The polo placket opens, the knit lifts, the coat opens to the hem. The winter dinner-after-work outfit.

2. The black wrap coat over an oatmeal polo knit with cream trousers

A black belted wrap coat over an oatmeal button-placket polo knit, cream trousers, black loafers, a black scarf and a black tote. The belt is a tie, so the coat opens in one movement; the placket opens three buttons. Cream below the waist is for the day the baby is at nursery.

3. The pink satin shirt dress under a navy blazer

A blush satin shirt dress, belted, under a navy double-breasted blazer, a nude bra, a navy scarf, blue drop earrings, black patent slingbacks and a black tote. Every button on the dress opens; the blazer opens over them. The presentation-day outfit, and the one that photographs like you slept.

4. The camel trench over a white shirt with navy trousers

A camel belted trench over a white button-down and a black bra and tank, navy trousers, ivory sneakers, a cream scarf, pearl-drop earrings, a black watch and a canvas tote. Three buttons from the top; trench open to the hem. The commute outfit for a mild winter day.

5. The camel coat over a striped shirt with striped trousers

A camel wool coat over a blue striped shirt and a black bra, grey-blue striped trousers with a brown belt, brown loafers, a white scarf, gold earrings, a brown watch and a tan tote. Stripe on stripe in two scales reads as a decision. The shirt opens; the coat opens.

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6. The black trench over a black half-zip with beige trousers

A long black trench over a black ribbed knit half-zip and a black clip tank, beige tailored trousers, black heeled ankle boots. Pull the zip, clip the tank, feed with the coat open. The coldest-commute outfit, and nothing comes off.

7. The camel coat over a black shirt and tank with grey jeans

The camel coat over a black button-down worn open over a black tank, grey wide-leg jeans, ivory sneakers, a camel scarf, gold earrings, a black watch and a brown tote. The casual-floor winter outfit. The shirt is the layer, the tank is the feed, the coat is warm and open.

8. The check wrap over a navy turtleneck with white trousers

An oversized ivory check wrap over a navy fine turtleneck and a black bra and tank, white wide-leg trousers, brown croc ankle boots and a camel scarf. The wrap lifts, the turtleneck lifts over the tank. Ten ways to wear a turtleneck while breastfeeding if this is the piece you missed.

9. The black coat over a navy tee with grey trousers and loafers

A long black coat over a navy long-sleeved tee and a black tank, grey tailored trousers, a grey lace bralette, a camel scarf, brown loafers and a black bag. The tee lifts from the hem under the open coat. The quiet Tuesday of the ten, and the one worn most.

10. The cream jacket over a white shirt and tank with grey trousers

A cream collarless jacket over a white button-down worn open over a black tank, grey trousers, ivory sneakers. The indoor layer for the day the coat lives on the hook. Jacket open, shirt open, tank clipped: three layers, one minute.

Ten winter outfits and the same two rules under all of them: the coat opens to the hem, the top opens or lifts. The interviewed mamas all said the same thing about the coat in particular: once it opened fully, the car-park feed before the commute stopped being the worst part of the day and became a cardigan unbuttoned under a coat held open with one hand.

The full version is the Back to Work Capsule: two hundred workday outfits, every top opening for the eleven o’clock pump, laid out and then worn, with three pictures of you in them on the house. Breastfeeding-friendly work outfits for winter is the longer guide to the cold months at a desk. And if you want someone who knows your closet to pick the coat-and-layer each dark morning, that is Anah inside the Atelier.

A coat that opens, a top that lifts. Winter at work is allowed to be easy. The focus is on you, mama.