I’m getting through some more of your readers suggestions. This week we’re doing work wear for the working girl. No, I’m not talking about Pretty Woman again, or Melanie Griffith in 80’s New York, (although to be fair those white Dad trainers she would wear on the walk to the city are bang on trend again) I’m talking more about what to wear to the office. I’m not talking about boring black suits, but some outfits that are just a little more on the smart side than Jeans and Trainers.

I am lucky as I can pretty much wear anything I like to work. I still frown upon flip flops, shorts and crop tops in the workplace though, everyone needs standards. My only rule when dressing for work is that I should not feel awkward in my outfit of choice if I were suddenly called to a meeting with the Chairman. If you go by that rule in whatever office environment you work in, you should be OK,

Maybe I should give you an overview of my job while we are talking about work. In July this year I will have been there for 20 years! 20 whole years! I mentioned that to someone in the office the other day and he said he was born the year I started! I am Head of TV Promotions for Warner Brothers Records and Parlophone Records. Basically my job is to get the acts on those labels on the TV. If you see Michael Buble on Graham Norton for example, I booked that and helped organise everything that goes with it, musicians, transport, catering, make-up artists, stylists etc etc.

My career in music has afforded me some experiences that I already look back on and think ‘Wow, I’m pretty damn lucky to have experienced that’, I’ve been in helicopter with Robbie Williams, I’ve been on Private plane with Coldplay, I’ve been on the Jubilee Line with Noel Gallagher, I’ve even been in car crash with Damon Albarn. I’ve been side of stage at Wembley Stadium and The Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. I’ve been in Dressing Rooms with Tom Hanks, Bradley Cooper and Bono. I’ve been to LA with Michael Buble, South Africa with Tinie Tempah and Ibiza with Kylie Minogue. I always say that one day  will write a book about it all, but there’s an awful lot I wouldn’t be allowed to say!

If it all ended tomorrow, I’d probably be fine with that. I have no doubt it will end at some point in the not too distant future. Working at a Record company has increasingly become a young person’s game. I’ll cling on for as long as they’ll have me though and in the meantime I will keep writing this blog alongside my job, as Fashion doesn’t have an age limit. Let’s take a look at some work wear ideas…

SMART TROUSERS

A good pair of trousers should be the basis of your working wardrobe. I would more than often plump for a cropped wide leg as those are my trousers of choice. Find good ones at Cos, & Other Stories and John Lewis. I have these Culottes from John Lewis (currently on sale) They are made from wool, but are quite thin so you shouldn’t overheat in them for the next month or so. I’m not usually one for ‘fun’ shirt, but this one from Boden is so much like one I nearly bought from Current/Elliot early last year so it gets the OK! (it’s also on sale which helps) Found some decent Gucci Loafer dupes from Dune for you, they come in a wealth of colours too.

1. & Other Stories Oversized Linen Blazer
2. Boden Printed Cotton Shirt
3. John Lewis & Partners Wide Leg Culottes
4. Cos Leather Tote Bag
5. Dune Snaffle Trim Red Loafers 

SHIRT DRESSES

I mean you can wear any type of dress really, but shirt dresses just seem the most ‘worky’ to me. I love the prints on these two below.  It’s very hard for me to make a dress outfit without completing it with trainers, but I’m trying to put my own preference to one side again this week. I know a lot of you can’t wear trainers to work so I’ve really tried to find suitable shoes. I’m thinking if you must wear heels all day, you’re going to need a pair with a more comfortable chunky heel, and you’ll also need a good sized bag to carry your laptop and essential items.

1. Arket Floral Liberty Print Silk Dress
2. Cos Leather Detachable Pouch Bag 
3. & Other Stories Leather Block Heel Sandals 
4. Whistles Ditsy Blossom Shirt Dress 

EASY BLAZERS

For me, throwing on a blazer automatically makes an outfit smart. Add a decent blouse and a heel and you’re work ready. I’ve said before that J Crew make excellent blazers. Not cheap, I grant you, but they are classic, well designed and fit perfectly (take your regular size), so worth the money. & Other Stories do a great range of decent blouses and their silk shirts are also worth a look for office wear.

1. J Crew Parke Linen Blazer 
2. & Other Stories Ruffled Blouse 
3. & Other Stories Linen Trousers 
4. The OutNet Truss Woven Tote Bag
5. & Other Stories Studded Block Heel Sandals 

MIDI SKIRTS

If you’re not so much of a trouser girl, or just fancy something a little more feminine then a simple midi skirt is your friend. I know a pencil skirt is your typical ‘Power Skirt’, but I’m just not that keen. Too obvious. Go for a flowy button up skirt or a classic pleated midi. Don’t be scared of a cardi either. I love a cardi, wear over your plain white T Shirt or a simple button up shirt. Look for more fine knit fitted Cardigans that you can wear buttoned up

1. & Other Stories Oversized Button Up Shirt 
2. M&S Linen Blend Cardigan 
3. & Other Stories Satin Coffee Bean Skirt 
4. & Other Stories Straw and Leather Bag 
5. Dune Wedge Suede Brogues 

SIMPLE SUITS

Maybe all of the above just isn’t acceptable in your place of business. Maybe you need to go full on suit. If that’s the case, would it be OK to wear a T Shirt underneath? Or would you have to go for a shirt? Does any business have these kind of dress codes for women anymore? I am interested to know. I want to learn. Would it be a bit too Theresa May ‘Look at me, I’m funky really’ to pair your suit with some bright kitten heels? I think not, but let me know if I’m wrong.

1. Arket Oversized Seersucker Cotton Blazer 
2. Kara Red Glossed Leather Tote Bag 
3. Arket Seersucker Cropped Cotton Trousers 
4. Baukjen Roll Cuff Classic White T Shirt (use code WMM20 for 20% off at Baukjen)
5. Boden Red Leather Kitten Heel Slingbacks 

Thanks for reading, sorry this turned out to be a bit of lengthy one. Do you like long posts? or are you just here for the pictures?

K x