Work wear part 1

One thing that I know a lot of women struggle with is stylish office wear.  I’m a PA for a large corporate firm and whilst I don’t attend client meetings, there is still a requirement for me to dress smartly.  But dressing smartly doesn’t have to be at the cost of dressing stylishly and as we spend so much time at the coalface, why shouldn’t we give our work wardrobes the same care and thought we give our off duty ones?  Several years ago someone gave me some really useful advice.  The advice giver wasn’t particularly nice actually but I’ve referred back to her school of thought over and over.  I can’t remember the exact phrasing but it went something along the lines of “don’t wear anything to work that you wouldn’t be happy to be seen in after work in a cool bar or nice restaurant”.  I’m sure it was actually more succinct than that but you get the gist.  I still remember this advice when I’m shopping and dressing for the office and clearly, I’m not saying that I roll up to the office in sequins and cocktail dresses but likewise, I'm not pulling on poly trouser suits and a sensible court either.

 

I have quite a large work wardrobe because I like lots of choice but you can easily dress well for the office with just some core pieces.  All my work wear is from the (excellent British) high street but I cherry pick natural fabrics (wool, cotton, silk, leather) and stick to classic colours and prints.  Another thing that works for me is taking influence from past eras – personally I love ‘50s and ‘60s style but I also think nods to those eras lend themselves well to an office environment.  Pencil skirt, fitted jumper, classic stilettoes?  Perfect timeless ‘50s chic.

 

So let’s start and I apologise in advance for any wanky fashion terms that may creep in.

 

Starting at the top with, er, tops...

 

Fine knit crew neck and polo neck jumpers in cotton or merino wool – the polo necks are a God-send during the winter months and the crews look great on their own or with a white shirt underneath.  The crew necks can be long or short sleeved as both work well in an office wardrobe.  Don’t buy acrylic or polyester – you’ll sweat in the summer and freeze in the winter and the jumper will look fit for the bin after a month.  Uniqlo, Boden, Zara (check the fibre content) and J Crew do brilliant versions.  I have these jumpers in lots of colours but a grey, navy, black and maybe a colour (I love a red jumper) are a good place to start.

red and black Tippi crew neck - J Crew (these are brilliant and currently on sale)

grey polo neck - Uniqlo

pale pink crew neck - Boden

White cotton shirt – to go under the crew necked jumpers for a classic preppy look in the colder months or to wear on its own (tuck it into a pencil skirt and roll the sleeves up) in the summer.  I have lots of different fits but a classic slim (but not fitted) cut will  be an excellent all-rounder.  Check ASOS and H&M for great value thinner shirts (ones that you’d probably only wear under a jumper) and Boden, J Crew and Uniqlo for thicker, dressier styles.  White shirts do go grey after a time so I don’t spend too much on these.

white cotton shirt - H&M

 

Statement top/blouse – for me, these have to be silk or cotton or at the very least viscose as polyester makes my skin crawl but I realise that most people aren’t as freakishly fussy as me.  TBH most of my statement blouses (sorry, that’s is such a bad phrase) were originally bought for “going out” and have been relegated to work wear.  Look for pieces that still have that smart edge but don’t scream corporate, so perhaps something that you would imagine wearing with a smart pair of jeans and heels for an evening out.  These little gems pop up everywhere on the high street so keep ‘em peeled.

navy Gwyneth blouse - Boden

ivory Tamara blouse - Boden
black pussy bow blouse - Warehouse
black and white ditsy blouse - M&S

 

Grey fitted teeshirt – one of the hardest working pieces in my wardrobe.  As well as being perfect to throw on with jeans at the weekends, a well cut grey teeshirt will look awesome with a statement skirt or fitted trousers.  I always go for crew neck and I’ve just bought a few more from Uniqlo to add to my collection – can’t rate them highly enough.  J Crew do a more expensive and equally as perfect version.

grey teeshirt - Uniqlo
grey Perfect Fit teeshirt - J Crew




This is one of my favourite, no-brainer looks for the office worn with black tapered trousers and heels.

Next time, bottoms...

Sales 'n' stuff

The sales have been really kind to me this year and I've picked up some absolute bargains (plus a couple of brilliant non-sale bits).  On pain of death and divorce, I've been banned from looking at anything more extravagant than Topshop and by some miracle I've managed to stick to the high street.  (Although for anyone not about to embark on a full refurb of their house, Matches have 70% now......)

striped Breton - Uniqlo
burgundy flats - Topshop (sold out)
cropped jeans - River Island (can't rate these highly enough)
Stan Smith trainers - Adidas
red dress - Monsoon (sold out)
coated leggings New Look
grey cashmere jumper - La Redoute (size up for a nice slouchy fit)


Here are a couple of outfits from the last few days.  The Stan's have barely been off my feet.....

black leather jacket - Zara / black fur stole - New Look / olive shirt - Zara / grey cashmere jumper - J Crew / trainers - Adidas

camel coat - La Redoute / white shirt - French Connection / pink cashmere jumper - M&S / black leather Gracie bag - Anya Hindmarch / trainers - Adidas / black cashmere wrist warmers - Johnstons of Scotland

The beginnings of a S/S wishlist

Is anybody else furiously toe-tapping, just willing new season stock to hit the stores?  I know I am.  Every season, as all the lovely new shapes and styles are revealed I embark on an episode of frantic list writing followed by weeks of ups and downs as expected sure-hits turn out to be duds and initially dismissed outsiders develop into full blown obsessed-over must-haves.


Things will start arriving over the next few weeks but until then I've a few things on my list for S/S already. 


I'm feeling a lot of love for the cropped flared jeans which first appeared mainly on French fashion editors (and Alexa Chung) a year or so ago.  Pinterest has loads of inspo....

I've already DIY'd an old pair of black J Brand Lovestory's which I'm pleased with but which are rather snug (to say the very least) having bought them just after I'd had my eldest when I was super skinny and lived on nervous energy, toast and not much else.  I think the blue work really well and would certainly fit into my wardrobe (not to mention around my waist) better.  A word of caution: unless you actually are Alexa Chung (or the bird bottom right who I think looks AWESOME), these bad-boys require a heel.


Last summer's fashion bloggers' obsession, Self-Portrait, has also continued to pique my interest.  Not cheap admittedly but I think their pieces are pretty damn special.  I'm fairly sure we don't have a wedding to tart up for this year but there's a whisper that we may be going to Ascot in June.  I bloody hope so - a Self-Portrait frock would be just the ticket.....

Next up, something which I wear repeatedly, all year round; the classic Breton.  I'm looking for a breton in a heavier cotton with a boxier fit this season.  Saint James for J Crew do a brilliant version but I don't think I can bring myself to pay £80 for a t-shirt.

Boden did a great one for A/W but it sold out stupidly quickly (or before I had chance to bag one in any case - I spent the rest of A/W checking to see if any had come back into stock and cursing myself every time I saw that they hadn't).  They have a "Essential" version in their new S/S stock but it'll be just my luck they'll not include the heavier Mariner version.


Finally, let me tell you about the object of my affection that I can neither get out of my head nor afford.  GAH!  I'm so late to this particular game it's tragic.  They weren't even on my radar a month ago and then.  And then.  I was in Bath, in Russell & Bromley with my husband as he continued his seemingly eternal search for The Perfect Desert Boot.  Don't ask.  Anyway, I saw the Stuart Weitzman display and I'd heard and read SO much about the Lowland boots that I thought, sod it - I'll try them and see if they're All That.  Big mistake.  Oh the biggest of big mistakes.  Because they ARE All That.  And then some.  They are boots of pure beauty and look and feel so so good on. 

I fell hard and fast right there.  It was and continues to be unrequited love.  Sob.  They ain't gonna be mine any time soon because they are hideously expensive.  Even secondhand via Fleabay you're looking at £400 plus.  The further fly in the ointment is that our long planned loft extension will be kicking off soon and therefore all funds will of course be poured into that.  Bugger.  Perhaps we'll hook up next A/W (although of course I have a search saved on aforementioned auction site juuuuust in case a pair in my size pop up a bargain price).




Finally a couple of outfits from the last few days.


For lunch and buzz around The Mall (as it was effing raining again and none of us fancied yet another AirHop/Jump/softplay visit).

coat - Zara / cashmere jumper - Boden / jeans - Topshop / trainers - Mango






And for a painful return to work on Wednesday.

grey merino jumper - Gap / black dirndl skirt - Gap / heels - Zara / pearl and diamante necklace - Zara


Until the Sales rubbish is cleared and nice things start appearing I shall mainly be bundled up in scarves, moaning about the rain.

Oh hi January

Back to reality with a bump here.  We had one extra day's grace as the kids had an inset day but we're now fully immersed back into the school/work/homework/after school clubs routine.  Along with the rest of the country, we're also on a healthy eating kick and attempting to not drink booze during the week.  (I should point out that this is not because we're raging alcoholics but more to cut the calories and live a little cleaner).  Jeez Louise, December was SO much more fun!!!  Obviously these resolutions didn't start until yesterday (the fourth day of January) because Friday was New Year's Day which is a day of celebration, and the next day was Saturday and Saturday nights always involve something nice to eat and drink and then there didn't seem much point starting on Sunday......


Here's what I wore to an impromptu child-free dinner with Himself on Saturday evening.  Loving my Bella - so much so that I reeeeeeally would love a coloured one now.  Red?  Sky blue?  Unsurprisingly my husband is less than thrilled at this revelation.....

black and white jumper - Bella Freud / grey jeans - Topshop / black suede ankle boots - Zara


And today running errands, I wore my new Adidas Stan Smith's which made the day just that little bit sweeter.

grey coat - Gap / navy cashmere jumper - La Redoute / jeans - Topshop / trainers - Adidas / charcoal cashmere scarf - Tuscany

The sun came out!

So one day last week it actually stopped raining.  I know - a bloody miracle it would seem.  As luck would have it we'd arranged to meet with my brother and his fam in the truly beautiful village of Coln St Aldwyns.  We ate a huge lunch (it really was enormous) and then walked around the village nosing at all the cottages taking in the gorgeous scenery.  It was glorious.  I can't say I was feeling the most glamorous I ever have but a hardwearing parka and comfy wellies can never be underestimated.


I don't think it's necessary to spend huge amounts on coats especially not casual ones and as the sales are on, what better time to find your perfect parka without spending a fortune?  For a winter parka (as opposed to a thin, single skin summer one), aim for a good quality, water resistant fabric.  Mine is a heavy duty, waxed cotton.  A decent amount of padding/filling is a necessity for my cold bones and a detachable hood makes it more versatile.  A high rise neck and decent sized pockets are also a must.  I'd always buy a parka that hits to at least mid thigh as you're going to be wearing it all kinds of God awful weather (probably) so the more protection it gives, the better.  Finally, if you want your parka to have longevity, I'd say to buy in a neutral, classic colour: black, grey, charcoal, navy, olive, camel.  This parka is a couple of years old now, has given me sterling service and still looks brand new. 


Wellington boot-wise, my personal preference are Hunters, both for my daughters and myself.  They tick all the style, comfort amd quality boxes.  Unless you're 18 and planning to embark on a summer of festivals, I'd say avoid the pearlescent, candy coloured Hunters and go for a neutral colour.  (If you're 40 and planning to embark on a summer of festivals, that's no excuse - still go neutral....!)

olive parka - Zara / jeans - Topshop / oatmeal cashmere jumper - J Crew / beige cashmere pashmina - beach vendor in Tuscany / navy wellies - Hunter / oatmeal wrist warmers - Uniqlo / sunglasses - Karen Walker

New Years Outfit

Happy New Year!   I hope had a great evening seeing in 2016 however you spent it.  We went to a friend's house party with the kids and had such a lovely time.  Kinda sad that the holiday season is coming to an end - we've loved lying in every morning, going for late lunches, lazing around and generally being completely off-duty for a couple of weeks.


Life must go on I guess - and a new year means new season collections!  Woohoo!


In the meantime, here's what I wore during the day to visit one of my very best friends. I'm a big fan of anything with a military feel so for 60 quid and 75% wool I'm very happy.

black coat - Zara / black jeans - Topshop / black and white breton - H&M / black Victorian boots - Next / grey cashmere scarf - M&S / grey bag - Balenciaga


And here's what I wore last night.  (I clearly need to work on my poses, I look not dissimilar to a wrestler in heels here...)

black and white star print shirt - Equipment / black jeans - Topshop / black heels - Next / cream fur jacket - Zara / pewter clutch - Marc Jacobs