CAREER CLINIC

Polly McMaster on how to dress for the job you want

Women should be able to love their workwear as much as they do the rest of their wardrobe. That was the vision behind the Fold: I’d been working in a very corporate environment where women dressed like clones of men, and I wanted to create clothes that were about self-expression. Dressing for an important meeting or job interview is crucial to get into the right mindset. We recently designed the pre-game looks for Manchester City Women’s Football Club. The team said stepping out in the outfits helped them feel ultra-professional – like they meant business. My biggest piece of advice is to invest in a few

high-quality pieces for work. With one great tweed jacket and a pair of well-tailored trousers, you’ll always look like you’ve made an effort. Seek out multitasking pieces you can wear to a board meeting, dinner and everything in between.

Don’t be afraid of colour. Workwear doesn’t have to be muted; nowadays, we can sell a head-to-toe pink or lime-green look as easily as we can a navy suit. It’s a modern way of showing confidence.

The high heel isn’t dead. During the pandemic, everyone just wanted comfortable flats, but there’s something about a heel that changes your posture, makes you stand taller and helps you feel that you’re putting your best foot forward.

Focus on the longevity of what you’re buying. What’s new this season matters less than whether the design is still going to look flattering on you in five years’ time. The most important thing is to dress in a way that brings out your best self.

www.thefoldlondon.com