Back in business: Workwear special

OK, first up: I have to admit that this one was HARD for me. I have never worked in a corporate setting and I found it VERY tricky to do six outfits that don’t involve trainers or denim. But I got so many requests from those of you who need office ideas that I decided I should really have a bash at it. I did spend 27 years working in offices, but it was the music business: you could have turned up in a boob tube and hot pants and no one would have batted an eyelid. I actually did see a girl in the lunch queue wearing exactly that once. My eyelids did bat and my face also scrunched somewhat.

My basic rule of thumb when considering office attire was to ask myself this question: ‘If I was suddenly pulled into a high-powered meeting with the CEO, would I feel appropriate and comfortable with what I am wearing?’ So that, for me, meant no shorts, no flip-flops and definitely no boob tubes.

I’m sure even the strictest office dress rules have been relaxed since the pandemic and lots of you probably CAN wear jeans and trainers, but I thought of this as a personal challenge to try and NOT include either (spoiler alert: I failed on one of those). Here are some workwear ideas for you…

MY NEW FAVOURITE PAIR OF TROUSERS

I was practically forced to buy these because my friend wouldn’t stop banging on about how great they are. ‘But I don’t need any more black trousers, leave me alone woman,’ I half-heartedly protested for a few weeks, but as usual when it comes to clothes, I crumbled. Inevitably, I can now confirm that the Damon cropped trousers from Sézane are indeed excellent. Good thick material, really lovely fit and the perfect crop length to show a slither of ankle. Below is how I plan to wear mine when this hot spell is over. I think this would work for any office. Smart, classic and cool.

SMART CHINOS AND MARY JANES

Does anything really beat a crisp white shirt and a pair of chinos? That’s a rhetorical question and yes, I know many things beat that: a pool with a swim-up margarita bar is one that immediately springs to mind. But if you’re stuck of a morning, wondering what to wear to the office, this is such an easy combo and I bet you already have a shirt and some chinos tucked away in your wardrobe.

To bring it up to date for this season, add ballet flats or Mary Janes, which are basically just ballet flats with some kind of strap across. I know they aren’t for everyone, especially those who need support in their footwear, but I’m into them. Please don’t tell me we are nearing that age where we look at those velcro-strap shoe adverts in the back of the Telegraph magazine and mutter to ourselves, ‘Ooh, they do look comfy, though.’ Ladies, STEP AWAY FROM THE VELCO SOFT SHOES!

THE MIDI SKIRT (LEATHER OPTIONAL)

Might still be a bit too hot for the leather skirt, but once it cools a bit, leather is the perfect autumnal fabric. Wipe-clean, warm, water-resistant and, obviously, also a little bit rock and roll. Smarten up your leather with a good blazer and some chunky gold jewellery. Shout out to Hopeful London for their excellent Soho leather tote bag. Since I’ve had this, it’s come to Italy, Bulgaria and Amsterdam as it’s the perfect travel bag. VERY roomy. Would work equally well to carry around that blazer that you have to take off part way through the day as it’s still too warm for one.

A LITTLE BIT CHANEL (WITHOUT THE PRICE)

Stripes, a tweed-style cropped jacket and wide-leg trousers. A timeless, easy option for instant chic. My 16-year-old son has now commandeered my Abercrombie wide-leg linen trousers; how they fit him at 6’2 AND me at 5’7 is one of life’s mysteries, so I have bought myself a pair of their ultra wide-leg trousers. The fit is great and they aren’t as ‘ultra wide’ as they’re made out to be. They also don’t crease and wash very well, which is a bonus.

THE ONE THAT NEEDED TRAINERS

Here’s where I failed on the ‘no trainers’ front, but I just couldn’t see cargo pants (even smart ones) working with a proper shoe. But I think the addition of a waistcoat makes this look work-appropriate. I’ve definitely seen lady politicians on the news wearing white trainers, so if it’s good enough for them… Actually, scrap that: we don’t really want to emulate any politician right now, but simple white trainers are, I think, OK.

MY OTHER FAVOURITE PAIR OF TROUSERS

I’ve mentioned these COS trousers many times before. They are so good. They have that adjustable waist, are made from a lovely, soft wool and the fit is spot on. The only downside is they’re supposed to be dry clean only. I have spot-cleaned mine until they REALLY need a wash, then I’ve put them on a cool wool wash and line-dried them and they were fine. Another recommendation but at a lower price are these pinstripe ones from M&S; they’re also true to size.

I hope this has helped with your quest to be a little bit smarter this season.

K x

WearsMyMoney

I spent it all on clothes by the looks of things...