WHAT I WEAR TO WORK
Is a more relaxed dress code at work freeing or confusing? MARIE KELLY provides a steer and speaks with two women who seem to have the formula all figured out.
Sartorial tips from the women who know what works
It’s no longer news that office dress codes are in flux. For the past several years, suits have been swapped for separates, and that incongruous phrase “smart casual” has firmly put the sartorial cat among the pigeons and caused feathers to ruffle in corporate offices everywhere. The mathematics around workwear used to be simple: a grey suit and black heels equalled professionalism and authority. Now there are far too many variables in this equation: colour, print, silhouette, heel height – nothing is offlimits. With choice comes freedom, but this can come with its own difficulties. Women often say they walk differently in heels; more poised and with greater confidence. Similarly, the precision tailoring of traditional suits gave men and women a persona of professionalism and ability. How do you regain this if suits have been more or less struck off the check list of modern office appropriate attire? The answer is to stick to well tailored pieces to begin with. Shirtdresses, crisp cotton button-fronts and well-cut
trousers are strong anchor pieces for your new wave work wardrobe. Pair the button-front shirt with a pleated skirt for a less stuffy look. A simple cashmere round-neck sweater will lessen the formality of cigarette trousers, but still look sharp and considered. The wrong print can undermine an otherwise spot-on outfit. Remember, in the same way that a midi skirt is appropriate for the office while a maxi is not, some prints are meant to be worn to the beach and not the boardroom. Be circumspect with pattern and stick to muted shades and small prints. On the following pages, two women from different industries, who’ve mastered the art of looking professional but with personality, offer their go-to brands, failsafe finds and tips for staying true to your own aesthetic, whatever the office culture.