Update your office wardrobe with these 5 easy steps.
Wondering how to make the grade at work with an office-friendly outfit that will have your colleagues asking just where those heels are from rather than what's for lunch? Read on for our fail-safe guide on how to make your work wardrobe count this summer...
Culottes Can Be Chic
This is the perfect piece to have in your summer work wear wardrobe. When the weather is too hot for trousers but you're not keen on flashing too much leg, culottes should be at the top of your list. The key thing to remember is to think like Victoria Beckham and always team them with a heel. A chunky platform sandal or a court shoe with chunky block heel is your best bet. Find fabulous culottes in Whistles, Debenhams and ASOS. Our favourite are these flattering Coast numbers...
The White Shirt Takeover
Seen all over the catwalks, the humble white shirt is having a moment. Go for something feminine and frilly like the pussy bow style spotted at Somerset by Alice Temperley at John Lewis. Or keep it simple, with a boxy shape, buttoned up to the top. Wear with a statement skirt - like a lace pencil or a frilly layered flippy skirt. Cacharel and Toast have jolly good versions and the ME+EM version (pictured below) with the longer length vibe at the back caught our eye, too. Go on, try a white shirt. You won't look back. We promise.
When You Really Mean Business
Sharp tailoring is all you need to pull off the 'I mean business' look. We have so moved on from the boyfriend blazer and the matchy-matchy trouser suit combo just feels so wrong. So, for SS14, we're going neat, sleek and a little boxy in shape. How? We think the collarless jacket - a subtle spin on a classive workwear staple - will totally up your style ante. Go for pastel, blush tones and nudes to scream summer and don't be afraid to mix and match. Just make sure you keep it in the same tonal colour family to keep it looking expensive. We are obsessed with the Studio Nicholson style (pictured below) and, on the high street, Cos, Debenhams and Autograph at M&S are all flying the collarless flag.
Because When Your Feet Are Happy, You're Happy...
It's official: flats are firmly where it's at. Yes, that's right, go ahead and update your look in one fell swoop safe in the knowledge that not only are you on trend but comfort is also on your side. Of course, there is a catch and that is that you can't choose just any old flat shoe. Nope, a sharp point is the shape of choice. Keep your tootsies covered, too; don't even think about bringing out the flip flops for the office. You are trying to look like you mean business here, not that you have popped out for a spot of sunbathing. When we want flats we go straight to Jimmy Choo, the super statement point is perfect with cropped trousers or short minis.
The 24-Hour Dress...
Does that one piece even exist that takes you effortlessly from boardroom to bar. Er, well, yes. Look for styles that are structured in shape, ideally with a sleeve so you aren't flashing too much flesh. Something floaty and printed can work but only with a blazer too smarten it up, so we say a shift dress is a much easier take on the trend. Tabitha Webb has the perfect peplum style in black for understated chic, plus the black piping detail gives you a flattering silhouette. But the one we really have our eye on is this Stills monochrome printed one. Add a statement gold chunky necklace, court shoes and you are good to go.
Now shop our spring workwear edit...