" Clothes can suggest, persuade, connote, insinuate, or indeed lie, and apply subtle pressure while their wearer is speaking frankly and straightforwardly of other matters." ~Anne Hollander

 

(Gwyneth in Burberry)

Something I've been thinking about for months and something that now holds so much relevance in my life is proper dressing.  I've been thinking and reflecting a lot over the past 6 months, but having huge writers block all year has been really frustrating.  Words and thoughts fill my mind, but when I sit down to write nothing forms on the page.

I've been keeping up with the details of the Facebook float and found it fascinating, but not unsurprising, that investors are uncomfortable with Zuckerberg's casual approach to dressing.  Casual dress, casual attitude I've heard people say.

Last year I was the workhorse, and now I am the face.  I am delivering big decisions, often flying off the seat of my pants and having big discussions and the only thing I have to hide behind are the clothes I am wearing.  I have become increasingly conscious of how I present myself.  Walking into a room is a first impression, upon which you build with what you say and how you say it.  Illusion and perception is everything in business.   

I have a roster of edited looks that I rely on over and over that seem to work well.  I want to look like someone that's taken seriously.  The basics wear well and are looked after and I regularly update the tops and accessories (Zara & Glassons are doing good things right now).

I've learnt a couple of things along the way:

• keep a killer pair of heels under your desk.  They will make you stand tall when you need it the most
• paint your lips. draw attention to what you're saying
• don't be afraid of colour, a bright yellow blouse under a blazer can do wonders
• be a good listener and never stop educating yourself
• think before you speak
• never say more than is necessary
• stay on top of current affairs, scan the headlines when you log on - it will provide you some great conversation starters

A corporate outfit post...

I've twice blogged about my favourite items to have in a corporate wardrobe (here and here) but I've just realised that I've never actually posted an actual outfit that I myself wear to the office.  This photo was taken right after holidays and lets just say that I found it difficult to zip the skirt up (*blush*).

When I make a bit of effort for work, I tend to find that I feel a lot better and more productive during the day.

mollini shoes

cue pencil skirt

scanlan & theodore belt

bardot tee

sportsgirl flower

sportsgirl necklace

melinda maria pod ring

The Corporate Wardrobe - Part 2

One of the most searched for and read posts on my blog (according to the feedjit widget) is my post about The Corporate Wardrobe.  Lots of google searches for that one!

I still maintain what I wrote in that original post.  Unless you're fortunate to work from home, chances are that you'll be wearing the corporate stuff a lot more than the rest of your wardrobe, so it really is important to buy the best quality you can afford.  I find that a lot of trousers sag and stretch around the knee and butt area after a few wears.  Not a good look.  The seasons are changing on both sides of the world, so lots of new goodies should be coming into stores.  Look out of the spend and save offers... instead of buying a couple of cheap thrills, save up for something a little bit better.  9/10 times you really do get what you pay for.

One of my favourite suits is 4 years old.  I was a poor student at the time, but I stretched my budget and 4 years later still wear it at least once a fortnight.  The suit isn't polyster and that's the trick.  It's a cotton and wool blend - warm in winter and allows me to breathe in summer.  Wool is a wonderful fabric for work clothes, it holds its shape really well and lasts a long time.

Again, I don't have a lot of stuff, but what I do have I adore and it all fits me really well.  If I "grow out" of things, they're out.  I always try to feel my best and most confident at work and ill fitting clothes don't help me feel that way.  I wear every piece at least once every 7-10 days.  Case in point - I only have one pair of black pumps - classic Sergio Rossi eek skin pointy heels. But I take good care of them - they see the shoe man once every 2-3 months for repairs!

Tweed!  Great look for work with a pretty blouse.  But make sure that it's at least a wool blend!  That's the big tip.

A black wool/cashmere cardigan.  If your office is like mine, it's FREEZING.  This little guy can be work under  jackets for added warmth or over things when it's a bit chilly.

Don't be afraid of details - ruffles, pussy bows, lace around the edges.. and remember, it doesn't have to be black!

I also love a bit of detail - pleats, zips.. a bit of personality

Printed shifts!  

Loose dresses that can be layered over t shirts and knits, but also be worn on the weekend tick all of my boxes.

Remember I said zips?

3/4 sleeves

More about basics - tees, knits, jersey - below...

If you buy a pair of shoes this coming season, make it a pair of ankle boots.  You can wear them to work, or on the weekend and they're less sexy than a pair of knee high boots for work.  They'll still keep your feet warm and protect you from the elements.

See, very subtle...

Military detailed coats... love!

Tied with my love of cocoon coats... There's till a good few months of cold weather left in Melbourne.

Now, basics... a tee, either long or short sleeve, be it cotton, jersey or wool is a God send.  You can layer it under items for extra warmth and save yourself the ironing or dry cleaning bill!  Straight in the wash.

Opaque tights hide a multitude of sins (including winter wary, white legs)...

All these items can be worn for seasons to come and can be mixed and matched rather easy.  If you have any further questions or consultation requests, get in touch with me.  Corporate wardrobes are my passion! 

all images via NAP due to ease of navigation through the site.. can do a "budget" post if you, my dear readers, wish!

US Vogue

The Corporate Wardrobe

Putting together the perfect corporate wardrobe would have to be one of the biggest fashion challenges.  There is so much ill fitting, poor quality stuff out there that you'd be paying hundreds of dollars for.  It's also very difficult to find the right balance between looking good and being taken seriously for your merit.  It's often a catch 22.   I love blogging and I love visiting blogs, but sometimes I am blown away by girls who can post a different outfit every day. I couldn't imagine owning so many things.  I don't have a lot but I love it all - I make sure that everything fits perfectly and I wear it all the time - in particular the corporate wardrobe - most things are worn a few times a month at the very least.  The key to ensuring that I do not get sick of things quickly is to buy things that are very me style wise, that are well made and well cut and that go with a lot of other items in my wardrobe.  The experimenting and fashion I leave for play time.

Here's my pick of essential corporate staples.

I'd love to know what your corporate wardrobe staples are too

Pretty, floaty tops in neutral colours.  These can be worked back with skirts, trousers or even jeans for casual wear.

Black pencil suits with detail - zips, buttons, belts.  I love unexpected details in really feminine pieces.

A trench coat!  I love belted coats that are roomy enough to layer over a whole outfit.  I feel the cold quickly and I love having a nice coat to keep me warm.

Printed blouses... nice to layer under good basics.

Shift dresses.  Nothing beats an easy dress to throw on in the morning when you're not sure what to wear!  I love the sleeves on this one - can get away wearing it without a jacket.. with a skinny waist belt or some dainty beads

A roomy black bag.  I carry my life in my bag - diary, notebook, files, a book to read on the tram.. my lunch.  You name it, it has to fit in my bag.

Dainty jewellery.  I'm not a fan of big, chunky statement pieces for the office.  I don't want my necklace or chandelier earrings distracting from what I'm saying in a meeting.

Wrap dresses - serve a similar purpose to the shift dress.  They work on their own.

Black pumps with a mid (8/9cm) heel.  I think shoes often make an outfit.  Get them "serviced" regularly.. the tips changed, a clean and polish.  It's unimpressive to see a man or woman walk into a room, with dirty, scuffed shoes with holes on the sole and the tip hanging off the heel.

I love this look - I like the cropped sleeves which give the blouse more focus and the details on the jacket with the big buttons.

Another great outfit with the ruffle detail detail and great fitting skirt.  

My biggest pleasure when taking people out for personal shopping is doing their corporate wardrobe and being update with a list of compliments they've received on their looks.

all images from NAP.