Q I’ve worn the same work clothes for five years. Now I’ve got a new job, I want a refresh – please help.
Bharti Vekaria, regulatory lawyer
“Bharti told me that she felt stuck in a rut,” explains Spearman. “Over the years she has invested in some amazing, classic designer workwear pieces, but now that she has a new job, she wanted to mix it up a bit.” Founding a new legal consultancy firm prompted Vekaria to shop for workwear for the first time in years. Whilst umming and ahhing in an LK Bennett changing room, she happened to meet Spearman. “I’ve owned my favourite navy Max Mara dress for five years,” laughs Vekaria. “When I take it to the dry cleaners they tell me the elastane is coming out, but it’s served me so well.” Shopping sustainably is high on her agenda. “I would rather buy less and buy better,” she explains.
After tiring of her cycle of navy dresses and suits, she’s open to adding more colour and print into her wardrobe. Spearman suggested dresses by Goat, a label that specialises in timeless, figure-skimming cuts, but in seasonal colours. “My brief to Isabel was that it needed to not look lawyerish,” says Vekaria. “Lawyerish historically was someone who was suited, sharp and unapproachable. But that was back when I started my career, and since then I’ve become more confident, and more comfortable with my style at work. “I’ve learned that dresses still suit me but I can experiment with colours and necklines,” she adds.
“I want clients to see more of my personality at the table rather than someone who is wearing a suit jacket because they think this is what they should do.”