Is your work wardrobe in need of a refresh? Take inspiration from the catwalk and the streets
‘Dress like the job you want, not the job you have’ is how the saying goes. And we’re fully embracing the notion. Dressing for business and boardrooms needn’t be bleak. Break out of your style rut and embrace these golden rules to get ahead of the curve, both in the office and out of hours.
ETRO | MAX MARA
THE SHORT SUIT
Designer brands are now offering a cool and contemporary take on tailoring with short suits being hailed the power duo of spring summer 2020. Take your inspiration from Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman – city shorts and drop shoulder blazers are definitely back on trend for the season. We have also spied some very slick versions on the catwalk at Max Mara, Etro and Emporio Armani. Crucially, this is one look that can easily transition from the office to a night out.
A guest at fashion week shows us how impactful a perfectly tailored one-piece can be
THE WORK ONSIE
While utility-style jumpsuits were last year’s answer to one-step off-duty dressing, consider a more refined version – complete with a collar and trouser pleats – your new work onesie. As well as on-point offerings from well known contemporary brands like Alice & Olivia and Paul & Joe, Diane Von Furstenberg , Gucci and Balmain have also unleashed some very office-appropriate styles.
BALENCIAGA at OUNASS
A COLOURFUL CO-ORD
New Year, new you?! Dress yourself happy by adding some colour to your working wardrobe. Marc Jacobs showed off some sublime suiting in sunshine yellow, while Balenciaga showed its fashion prowess with a collection of impossibly chic suiting in aquamarine and emerald green. If it’s too much all at once, build your confidence slowly by wearing the pieces as separates.
REJINA PYO | CHLOÉ
VA-VA VOLUME
Big sleeves are back for Spring Summer 2020 and they’re adding some much needed va-va –volume to otherwise conservative work wear. Take Rejino Pyo’s pistachio blouse with puffy sleeves as an example. Team this statement piece with your favourite black trousers, a simple pencil skirt or some culottes and you’ll transform your look in a nanosecond. Chloé also offered a more subdued take on the trend.
Slanted and perched just under the bust, the fashion pack are embracing a new position for cross-body bags
GO HANDS -FREE
The simple placement of your bag – even an alteration in strap length – will earn you serious style kudos. On the streets of Fashion Week cross-body bags were given a new season lift, quite literally. The position de rigueur is slightly above the waist and under the bust – somewhere in between the belt bag and the original cross-body. We’re naming this one the semi side-pack.
Take your style cues from this show-goer who teams burgundy leathers with a crisp white shirt and blazer
LEATHER TROUSERS
Warm weather and leather might not sound like they can co-exist but leather is also one of SS20’s biggest breakout trends. Bottega Veneta, Max Mara and Givenchy all showed beautifully sumptuous leather looks on the catwalk. Margot Robbie, Olivia Palermo and Alexa Chung are already on board with this trend. Whether paper-bag style, wide leg or cropped – the fashion pack are suggesting anything goes. So, show the board you mean business and add leathers to your work wardrobe – just leave the whip at home.
Read Next: From Flatforms to Loafers, here are Spring’s Most Coveted Shoes
- Words by Elaine Lloyd-Jones
- Images: GoRunway.com, supplied
