IT’S TIME WE EMBRACED OUR WORKING STYLE
WHETHER YOU’RE A DOCTOR DOING WARD ROUNDS, a barrister or a English teacher, it seems that what you wear to work matters. Not only does it say a lot about you, fashion is, after all, our most visual form of expression — it influences how we feel about ourselves and, I hate to admit it, but how others perceive you.
Of course, I’m of the belief that success comes from aptitude and hard work — but a sense of style can stir fascination, joy, confidence and respect. That said, marrying your career with your wardrobe can, for most of the time, be a minefield. It’s made even trickier with the seasons — we haven’t yet shaken off the constraints of Winter and are not quite ready to embrace the freedom of Spring.
Transitional work wear requires clever ways to wear clothes that will make your early morning routine easier, make navigating your wardrobe less intimidating and, more importantly, instil you with a sense of confidence. When you dress, you need to think: I look and feel good, let’s do this.
What you need are five or six solid, stylish items that you can wear multiple ways. I suggest a shirt or wrap dress (wonderfully versatile and flattering) —try COS, Mango and Zara for these. Next is a hero knit (Ganni at Arnotts, Lucy Nagle at BT), and a crisp, softly tailored shirt— I like the ones at Acne, Joseph and Max Mara.
Opt for high-waisted trousers (Mango & Otherstories), paired with a silk blouse (Reiss, Arnotts) and a smart blazer (Zara, H&M, Finery).
For an update that says ‘Spring’, you need rose tint your tailoring. That doesn’t mean you surprise your boss in a pink suit for a Monday morning board meeting. Think flashes of cream, light brown and navy separates for a polished and youthful colour palette.
Breaking up a suit to wear as separates gives you much more mileage too. Gone are the days where we depended on perfectly aligned power suits — they now look tired and boring.
A trophy blazer will smarten up a tailored dress for the office and looks great slung over a cami with tailored trousers for after-work dinner.
Midi dresses and below-the-knee skirts aren’t for everyone — those shorter in height will probably need less fabric, but if you’re of average to tall height then they are an easy breezy alternative to trousers.
And don’t be put off trend-driven culottes or structured dungarees. Wear flared with printed, ruffled, or bell sleeved blouse. They are interesting additions to the typical hum-drum of the classic trouser and shirt corporate combination.
“IT DOESN’T MEAN YOU SURPRISE YOUR BOSS IN A PINK SUIT ON MONDAY MORNING”