Browsing Tag

work wardrobe

Fashion

The “It” outfits for work this spring

17th October, 2022

With the days getting hotter, it’s time to freshen up your office attire. Whether you’re working offsite or back into an air-conditioned office, I favour key pieces that can transition between all seasons (there’s nothing worse than freezing at your desk after all!). Spring work outfits also leave plenty of room to have a little fun with your ensembles.

When it comes to work outfits, there’s obviously a few considerations to make when it comes to striking the right balance as you want to hit a professional note with any look, but also dress for what the weather is going to be on any given day. The good news is that with what’s currently trending, you can definitely do that and more. From tops that can be dressed up or down or design features that give a garment an elevated feel, there’s definitely plenty on offer to tick all the boxes when it comes to what you wear to work.

I’ve included a few of my favourite trends for work outfits, but the great thing is these are also suitable when you’re working from home, and even for when you’re off duty on the weekend.

 

 

A few of my favourite spring outfit combinations

Pastels

When better time to wear pastels than spring? Celebrate flowers being in full bloom by wearing all things pastel.

Linen

Linen clothing can transition between all seasons but are particularly perfect for spring and summer. The lightweight, breathable material is great for keeping cool.

 

Denim skirt

A denim skirt is an essential in my wardrobe. This classic piece can be styled for more casual days at work. I love to pair it with a blouse or even a t-shirt and blazer. Plus you know it’s an essential if you can also wear it on the weekend and that’s something I definitely do.

Vests/Waistcoats

A trend I’m enjoying is wearing a vest as a top. Peeling off the inside layer allows you to be comfortable in the warmer heat and still dress professionally. Pair the vest with matching trousers, and you’re ready to take on the day.

Elevated singlets

Sometimes a plain singlet may feel a bit daggy for work. The solution to this is are elevated singlets. Think patterns, a mix of materials or different cuts. I’m absolutely loving corsets, and for a more toned-down look, the subtle detailing added to a tank top screams elevated.

Shirt dress

I will always have shirt dresses in my wardrobe. They’re so versatile and depending on the material you can go from off duty to dressy occasion without missing a beat. Whether it is a casual day in the office or a corporate event, this key piece is your best friend.

 

Light blazer

Still wanting to look sharp? Switch out your winter blazer for a lightweight one. A trick to this is using materials such as linen or blazers that have strategically placed cutouts that allow for airflow. This season wear shades of sandy white, lemony yellow or dusty pink.

 

Cutout pieces

This year has certainly seen a lot of cutouts being incorporated in many designs. While style errs on the edgy side who says you can’t also style it elegantly? A more modest approach is little cutouts throughout the dress, such as in the shift dress I’m wearing here.

 

High-waisted skirt

One of my favourite things about the hotter seasons is the ability to wear a skirt and not freeze. Plus they’re so easy to style and pair with a number of different pieces from a tee to a shirt and singlet. I find the high-waisted style is also particularly flattering and allows you to show off your figure and feel confident.

Fashion

How to revamp your work wardrobe this year

9th January, 2022

A brand new year is the perfect excuse to get your work wardrobe in order. I always start the beginning of a new working year by taking stock of everything in my wardrobe so I can identify the key areas that I may need to build on or add to to inject some freshness into my office look. Here’s how to give yourself a stylish start to the year ahead…

Identify your dream work looks

Now is the time to pinpoint your ideal work outfits (I’d suggest doing a mood board for when you’re working from home and when you’re actually in the office). Start by pulling together examples of everything from jackets you may like to suit styles you’ve always wanted to try so you can get an idea of how you want your work wardrobe to look. Once you’ve done this you’ll have a blueprint of your style which makes everything from decluttering what you currently own to what you need to shop for so much easier.

Bin or keep?

Pull out everything you wear in work mode and assess each piece with a critical eye. Does that dress really flatter you? Is that skirt the right length? The aim of this exercise is to make sure that you only keep things that you will actually wear and will help you look polished. Be brutal! Get rid of anything that you haven’t worn in awhile or is looking a bit worse for wear. Once you’ve got a pile of clothes that you intend to keep separate them into what you will need to get dry cleaned, mended or altered.

Compile a shopping list

I always tend to go to gravitate towards shirts for work meetings so it’s one area of my wardrobe I make sure I always have well stocked. If you’re like me then now is the ideal time to invest in some fresh new shirts to wear throughout the year. Look at what else in your wardrobe is looking a bit tired and consider replacing it such as the work shoes you wore virtually every day last year or the work bag that’s seen better days. Or if you can see that there are serious gaps in your wardrobe, for example if you have been avoiding wearing particular things because you don’t have the right belt then look into finally buying one.

Look at what can be altered

It’s a pain having to take just one thing to be altered so I always wait until I’ve got a few things that need to be done. What better time than a brand new year? This is the time to get any pants hemmed to the right length and get any jackets tailored to fit perfectly. A little bit of tailoring can really make all the difference and make something old feel new again.

Try on different outfits

Once you’ve got all your key pieces sorted start trying them on to compile a few key go-to outfits. This will not only allow you to get a better idea of how functional your office wardrobe is it’s always great to have a mental cheat sheet for those days when you’ve woken up and just want to go into auto pilot or you are having an “I have nothing to wear day” and need to get out the door fast.

Fashion

Refresh your work wardrobe without spending a cent

31st January, 2021

When you’re faced with another full working year ahead with a closet full of office attire that puts you to sleep it can make getting dressed for work just that little bit harder. When you feel like you’ve worn the same combinations over and over it’s time to mix things up and get excited about your nine-to-five looks again. Here are some simply and easy tricks for how to refresh a work wardrobe for free.

Pair things you usually wouldn’t wear together

It’s the year for pushing fashion boundaries.  If you’ve had the same work outfits on rotation for the last few years then it’s time to give them a new lease on life. Eschew your usual combinations and start experimenting. If there’s a shirt that you always wear with a particular pair of pants then make a point of trying to team it with a skirt. If there’s a go-to jacket that you wear to death try to make a point of reaching for another topper such as a blazer or trench. We tend to fall into the habit of reaching for the most familiar pairings so by making a conscious effort to do otherwise you’ll likely end up with something fresh and new. If you’re looking for one of the simplest ways on how to refresh a work wardrobe this is definitely one of them.

 See what you can repurpose from your going out looks

If you’ve got a section of your closet dedicated to going out clothes then it’s time to give them a chance to shine outside of the odd evening out. For example a dress that you’d usually save for a fancy dinner can be reworked by adding a structured blazer on top. As long as the hemline and neckline is still quite conservative (and it doesn’t have sequins all over it!),  you can definitely get away with wearing it to work.

A skirt with a button down melds corporate and cool

Borrow from your off duty wardrobe

I’m sure many of us have our clothes for the weekend and clothes for weekdays however have you tried weaving some of your casual clothes into your workday outfits? A simple white tee for example, can be worn with tailored black pants, heels and jewellery for a modern office look. Pop on a jacket on top and it instantly looks more formal. If you work in a more creative environment with a relaxed dress code, your favourite boyfriend jeans worn with a tailored shirt and heels looks chic with an element of cool. If you want a slightly more feminine look a floaty skirt worn back with a button down manages to look corporate whilst still being on trend.

Change up your accessories

We can fall into the rut of wearing the same accessories day after day which can contribute to feeling like it’s office wardrobe Groundhog Day. It’s lovely to have signature pieces that you never take off but sometimes it pays to incorporate something else into the mix whether it be a pair of earrings, a striking necklace or a great watch. A simple addition of something you wouldn’t usually wear can instantly change up a look.

Try having a few more bags in your work wardrobe rotation

Swap your bags around

If you’ve got a trusty work bag that you wear day in and day out try to challenge yourself to swap to another bag more often. It can begin to feel quite monotonous looking at the same tote all the time so switching to another bag such as an over the shoulder number or an oversized clutch can really lift a tired ensemble.

Experiment with your beauty looks

Whilst it’s great to mix and match your clothes don’t forget to refresh your beauty look too. If you wear your hair and makeup the same way most weekdays then make an effort to be a little more adventurous. Try an up-do as opposed to wearing your hair down and vice versa, wear a statement lip or introduce a pop of colour with your nail polish. It’s the little details that can elevate your office wardrobe and lead to it feeling rejuvenated.

How are you changing up your work wardrobe this year?
Fashion

What your work wardrobe needs this year

19th January, 2021

While going back to work might look a little different this year, it still pays to ensure you’ve got the right office basics on hand whether you’re working from home or actually doing it face-to-face. I’ve always believed that great outfits in a work environment have the power to make us feel in the zone and ready to power through a to-do list.

And a brand new year is the right time to tackle your work wardrobe to ensure it’s the perfect tool to accompany you on your way to kicking major career goals in 2021.

Tailored pants

In white or black, having a pair of tailored pants in your closet means you’ve got a whole range of outfits at your disposal. It forms the basis for many a look, and you can take it in any direction you choose. Pair it with a white tee and slides and you’ve got a polished casual look, while a cami or button down shirt says you mean business. It so versatile, consider investing in both hues.

A white shirt

A crisp white shirt is a forever staple that you can never go wrong with. For a very on trend silhouette look for one that’s slightly oversized and with a drop shoulder. You can pair it with a skirt, shorts, or pants and it can go between your work and off duty wardrobe seamlessly.

Tailored pants are a versatile addition to any work wardrobe
A ribbed top

Ribbed tops are very much a thing right now. Go for a t-shirt style, a collared polo version with a 70s vibe or a sleek sleeveless or singlet style option. Opt for hues such as caramel, cream, white or mocha and it makes for an instant way to update existing pieces in your wardrobe and make them very much on trend.

A blazer

If you’ve yet to find a blazer that you absolutely adore in your closet, this is the year to plug this gap in your fashion repertoire. Start with a longline black jacket that you can pop on over a dress or pair back with jeans or pants. Once you’ve got this most important of basics nailed, look at expanding into patterned options such as a classic houndstooth or check.

A shirt dress

Whether you’re working from home or back in the office a classic shirt dress is your best friend. Wear it throughout summer with a pair of slides or a low sandal, and transition it to winter with flats or boots. Opt for a neutral hue to ensure maximum versatility and wear from it.

Fashion, What I Wore

What I wore to work this week

12th November, 2020

I’ve been doing these WFH posts since the beginning of the year and it’s been great to share snippets from my work wardrobe on a weekly basis. But given my WFH situation has definitely expanded beyond my home office given the loosening of restrictions, I’ve decided to tweak these posts to share what I wear to work in general. Whether it’s at home, out and about or hosting events, it’s a look at my working week, one outfit at a time, like right now…

Monochrome looks are always a winner because they’re easily put together and look chic without much effort at all. These jeans are elevated by belt detail, and this Bec and Bridge top has been such a great buy as I’ve been able to wear it with so many different outfits. I love adding sneakers to most looks, but this pair makes it just that little more special.

Credits: Top (similar here), Bec and Bridge; Jeans, Aje; Sneakers, Chanel

Pops of colour are always one way to pep up a work week. I tend to gravitate towards dresses when I’m working from home, but will be out and about for periods of time throughout the day as they’re comfortable but always look dressed up and polished.

Credits: Dress, Steele

Activewear at my desk… is there anything better? I’ve been a big fan of The Upside’s on trend take on exercise gear from the beginning, and love the colour combination of this pairing. The comfort levels of leggings and a tee are sky high so if I can get away with wearing it for the entire day I absolutely will. I also find if I’m wearing my workout gear first thing in the morning, there’s more chances for me to get a training session in, which is a definite upside (sorry, had to do it).

Credits: Leggings and Top, The Upside

Activewear one minute, Gucci change room the next! I was shooting something at the new Gucci store in Sydney so took the opportunity to play dress ups. This shirt dress is the kind of thing that I wouldn’t mind Santa popping under my tree on Christmas Day…

Credits: Dress and Shoes, Gucci

Fashion, What I Wore

What I wore working from home

5th November, 2020

With a busy schedule, the Melbourne Cup and sunny days one minute and rainy days the next in Sydney, my looks this week certainly covered the full spectrum of my wardrobe. The highlight was definitely my dress on Cup Day because, hello, dreamy statement sleeves! But I was also able to work a few of my go-to summer dresses in the mix and one of my fave, comfortable WFH outfits.

This biscuit coloured dress by Oroton is such an elegant take on linen. I’m a fan of floaty linen pieces but this sleek silhouette is such a great design that can be dressed up with heels, or dressed down with sandals to work from home. I kept things tonal with a white and brown Burberry bag for when I needed to head out, and finished it off with comfy Gucci sandals.

Credits: Dress, Oroton; Bag, Burberry; Necklace, Manning Cartell; Sandals, Gucci

I can assure everyone this is not a typical work from home look! Melbourne Cup day called for frocking up and this dress by Constantina Danis was a pink and statement sleeve dream. I went with neutral heels and an ombre oversized bow to finish off this ensemble.

Credits: Dress, Constantina Danis; Shoes, Pierre Hardy; Headpiece, Nerida Winter

I’d have to say this is one of my staple formulas for a comfy look. A top, worked back with denim and comfortable shoes such as sandals or sneakers and a backpack is my ultimate WFH outfit.

Credits: Jumper, Venroy; Jeans, Veronika Woods; Sandals, Ducie; Backpack, Chanel

Who else really loves Aje dresses? I’m a huge fan because the silhouettes and finishes are always so interesting and different. A dress worn back with flats is one of my favourite combinations, and is a great way to do a feminine and polished look.

Credits: Dress, Aje; Flats, Chanel

Fashion, What I Wore

What I wore working from home

29th October, 2020

It’s been a busy few days with racing events on the cards so my work from home wardrobe this week has been a little dressier. It’s been all about fittings and getting event prepped with desk time interspersed in between so I went for easy, polished pieces that still tick the comfort box. Here’s what I wore this week.

Steele is always a go-to brand for dresses because they always feature really beautiful silhouettes and fun prints and colours. I fell in love with this sage colour immediately, along with the flattering cinched in waist.

Credits: Dress, Steele; Sandals, Aquazzura; Bag, Dior

These Venroy linen pants come in a variety of different shades and they’re quickly becoming an integral part of my spring wardrobe. As it’s still in-between weather, I rugged up in this baby blue jumper, and finished it off with the comfiest summer sandals I’ve ever had.

Credits: Jumper, Bec and Bridge; Pants, Venroy; Sandals, Ducie London; Sophia and Grace‘s dresses, Marlo Kids

I’m a fan of gingham prints so it’s always great to find the print done in a less common colour way like light blue. I love how this print pops. Also, I can attest to this being such a comfortable WFH look. Dresses are quickly becoming one of my favourite pieces to wear while working from home.

Credits: Dress, Steele;

The weather has been a little bit gloomy in Sydney so I wanted to embrace a vibrant pop of colour to brighten up my mood. What better way to do it than with a bold yellow? It was a day of being at home and out and about so I utilised my fave roomy Goyard tote, and ultra comfortable Ducie sandals.

Credits: Dress, S/W/F; Sandals, Ducie London; Bag, Goyard, Sunglasses, Ray Ban

Fashion, What I Wore

What I wore working from home

24th September, 2020

I had another varied work from home week this week with a combination of launches, campaigns and general desk time keeping me busy. But it also meant I was able to experiment with a variety of different looks. I’m on board with any excuse to get dressed up these days so it was a nice way to break up the week. Here’s what I wore this week.

I was hosting a Clarins webinar this day so it was the perfect chance to get dressed up. I wore this combination from Seed, featuring a pleated top and midi skirt. I had the chance to wear this set to a Seed launch a few months back and it’s always great to be able to pull out an event outfit again. I paired this with nude mesh Bottega Veneta heels to add a modern element.

Credits: Top and skirt, Seed; Heels, Bottega Veneta

Embracing spring dressing on this day as it was quite warm in Sydney. This lemon dress by DVF was able to get a run, but I tied a Venroy knit around my waist just in case the temperature dropped. I have been wearing these Ducie sandals non-stop as they are SO unbelievably comfortable.

Credits: Dress, DVF; Jumper, Venroy; Sandals, Ducie London

Getting behind David Jones’ campaign with the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF) with this Aje shirt, with 100 per cent of profits going to the ALNF’s literacy programs. I went for the classic combination of a white tee with denim, and dressed it up a little with low heel, slingback Bottega Veneta heels.

Credits: T-shirt, Aje for David Jones; Jeans, Viktoria & Woods; Heels, Bottega Veneta

I’m loving the UK brand Ducie London right now, with these shoes and this tee quickly becoming firm favourites. I’ve got this look bookmarked for many future outings, and it’s such an easy WFH outfit template to follow just by switching up different pieces.

Credits: T-shirt and sandals, Ducie London; Jeans (similar here), Ksubi

Fashion, What I Wore

What I wore working from home

17th September, 2020

We had some gloriously warm days in Sydney this week so it was the perfect opportunity to break out some new summery pieces. It’s got me even more excited for the warm weather to set in because I can’t wait to start embracing easy, breezy dressing every day. So, here’s a look at what I wore working from home this week.

Some new arrivals this week! This white dress by Merlette is destined for many an outing over the coming months. Plus I’m all about a long sleeved dress for this transseasonal period. I ordered these sandals from Ducie in London and they’re ultra comfortable. Very on trend, but I can’t go past the fact that I could walk around in them all day quite happily.

Credits: Dress, Merlette; Shoes, Ducie; Bag, Chanel

My sandals make another appearance because, did I tell you how comfortable they are? Also these Venroy linen pants are super soft and lightweight, and they come in other colours so I’ll be bookmarking a few more pairs this season. I love the basics from Cotton On as they’re very affordable but also hold up really well — all in all, loving this monochrome look for a day spent catching up on a few work tasks.

Credits: Tank (similar here), Cotton On; Pants, Venroy; Shoes, Ducie

I wore this to a launch and wanted to embrace a classic look on this day. So it was all about a crisp white shirt and denim combination. I wore this outfit paired back with Chanel flats and a Louis Vuitton bag to add a few luxe touches.

Credits: Shirt (similar here), Anna Quan; Jeans, Levis; Shoes, Chanel; Bag, Louis Vuitton; Necklace; Aje

A tank and jeans is such a winning combination, and an easy shortcut for when I just want a no-fuss look. I am slowly realising these shoes really do go with just about anything… I wanted to keep my accessories simple so I opted for this Loewe basket bag, which also added a textural element to this look.

Credits: Tank, Henne; Jeans, Levis; Shoes, Ducie; Bag, Loewe

Fashion

What I wore working from home

10th September, 2020

I was filming a few things interspersed with desk time this week so I had an interesting week on the outfit front. I was in dresses and heels one minute and jeans and a jumper the next. I always love a bit of variety on the fashion front though so I’m not complaining! Here’s what I wore working from home this week.

I was filming something for VRC and Channel 7 so it was dress ups at home. This Barbie pink dress is such a beautiful feminine style and perfect for the races. I teamed this look with simple white heels and a pearl headband to add a touch of polish.

Credits: Dress. Elliatt; Heels (similar here); Headband, Roxy Jacenko Accessories

I always like experimenting with new looks while working from home and I’m loving this black strapless top for spring/summer. I went with distressed jeans and simple white heels to dress it up a little. An Aje necklace finished off my look.

Credits: Top, Esse; Jeans, Ksubi; Heels (similar here), Billini; Necklace (similar here), Aje

Ultimate comfort was the order of the day so there’s no better combination than jeans and a jumper. I teamed this look with sneakers for a polished casual vibe.

Credits: Jumper, Bec and Bridge; Jeans (similar here), Ksubi; Sneakers, D.O.F

I like reworking dressy pieces in a more casual way, like this look. Case in point: I wore my Rebecca Vallance suit pants and worked it back with a singlet and sneakers and voila a new WFH outfit is born.

Credits: Top, Henne; Pants, Rebeccca Vallance; Sneakers, D.O.F