Dai is the next big women's performance workwear brand you should know - here's what its clothes look and feel like

The technical stretchy jersey fabric Dai uses in its Now and Forever Blouse is like nothing I’ve ever touched before. It’s super soft, perfectly smooth, breathable, and stretchy — it looks impeccable, and I wish more of my clothes were made from this fabric. The cut of the shirt is also unique with its wide, stiff cuffs that bell out gracefully and fold up nicely; the subtle black silk tie that you can wear any way you wish; and the classic blue and white color combination. It felt so comfortable when I put it on, I forgot I was wearing a fancy dress shirt.

I have two criticisms, though, one being the price, which is sky-high at $175, and the other being the length — this shirt is not made for petite women. The sleeves are about three inches too long on me, so I had to fold them up and the length is also too long even when tucked. In other words, petite sizing would be very, very welcome! —Malarie Gokey, Insider Picks senior editor

The Now and Forever Blouse is up there with Ministry of Supply’s Easier Than Silk button-up and MPG’s now sold-out Milano Technical Dress shirt for the best work shirts I own. And, to its credit, it’s readily available as well, while those other two fluctuate widely in inventory. It’s also considerably more stylish.

I wish it wasn’t $175, but if that’s not a deal-breaker for you, you should be really happy with the purchase. The stretchy technical jersey is supple and cool to the touch, and it drapes beautifully, plus it tucks into pants and skirts without adding bulk. The detachable bowtie, contrast cuffs and collar, and mother of pearl buttons are all great style upgrades to the classic office blouse. The back yoke panel and box pleat — combined with the stretchy jersey — create a better fit on my 5’7 frame than nearly all non-custom blouses I own. I often choose to wear it on days that end in happy hour because it translates well to after-hours.

All in all, it’s expensive, but if you choose to swing it, it’s likely to become a hero style in your work lineup. —Mara Leighton, Insider Picks reporter

Dai’s Power Move Trousers are a sleek, streamlined pant, of which the tailoring and thick, technical fabric is very flattering on. Overall, they look and feel great, and $225 — while not ideal — is in the ballpark of similar (and thinner) options I have loved. My only complaints are that I wish they were a tiny bit longer on my 5'7" frame (a common complaint for me) or that they were offered in a hi-rise silhouette. —Mara Leighton, Insider Picks reporter

I usually dread putting on work pants because there's no way something that looks so tapered and crisp can be comfortable. The Power Move Trousers are a rare exception. They have a bit of stretch at the waist and sit comfortably above the hips so nothing's squeezing out as I sit at my desk, and the fabric feels delightfully smooth on my legs. I have them in Midnight, a dark blue that's deeper and more sophisticated than most navy work pant styles —Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter

I love the fit and feel of this blazer, which you can tell the moment you shrug it on was made with both style and mobility in mind. While weighty and on the thicker side, it's surprisingly breathable and you won't overheat as you transition through the various locales of your day.

The shoulder pads aren't overly bulky (which is traditionally a problem for my broad shoulders), and every edge is cut sharply, all in all contributing to a clean and flattering silhouette. If you want to roll up your sleeves, the slit cuffs make it easy to do so. Otherwise, the slits serve as stylish accents to the sleeves. The beauty of this classic blazer style is that it goes well with the Power Move Trousers if you want a matching outfit, but you can also use it to dress up a pair of jeans.—Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter

I've worn these breezy jersey culottes to work, but more often than not I wear them on the weekends on a nice day out. The wide legs offer plenty of breathing room, while the stretch gives me the go-ahead to squat or skip as I please. At the same time, their crisp shape and cut show that I'm not resorting to sweats or leggings and I still want to put effort into how I look. —Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter

I'm a general fan of peplum tops because they bring out my otherwise non-existent waist. I love Dai's in particular because of its weight and structure. It'll move with you, but the folds at the peplum waist stay stiff and in place — even after you've washed the top multiple times. The sleeves hit at the middle of your upper arms, making it a good transition piece between cool and warm seasons. —Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter