What A Stylish Professional Wears To Work

My personal style is best described as minimalist, timeless and chic. I’m always hoping that it reads as effortless – and that’s consistent whether I’m at the office or it’s the weekend. I tend to eschew trends and focus more on buying high-quality pieces I know I’ll wear on repeat. Having a wardrobe with a strong foundation and the pieces all work together is the key to effortless style. It’s become an even more important part of the way I get dressed now that I’m a mum too. 

I’m very into the idea of a capsule working wardrobe. Last year, on my Instagram, I challenged myself to style a week’s worth of outfits using just ten pieces. It was supposed to show people that if you have a good base, you can create so many looks. The trend cycle is also fast and intense these days, it’s hard to know which way is up. That’s why I loved quiet luxury so much. It felt like that movement totally aligned with my personal style. For me, it wasn’t a trend – it’s still the main principle I follow. 

Too many people try to be trendy without thinking about their personal style. As I said, the trends change so fast, by the time you’ve invested in one statement piece or look, things have moved on and it no longer feels right or relevant – crucially, it stops looking effortless. Before you buy anything, it’s so important to ask yourself if something really feels like you. Does it really work for your lifestyle? Could you picture it with five other things in your wardrobe? Does it work for the office and the weekend – or just one or the other? There is effort behind a well-executed look because there is forethought, but for me, this comes at the point of purchase. It makes getting dressed on a busy morning so much easier.  

I’d never advise trying to replicate anyone else’s outfit either. At least, not without thinking about whether it’s truly your style. Does it feel like you? Would you feel confident wearing it? There’s no point dressing for an imagined life you’re not actually living. That’s how you end up with a wardrobe full of pieces you never really wear – to work or anywhere else.  

My work schedule definitely influences what I wear day to day. If I have a lot of meetings and am on the go, comfort becomes the priority. I know that if I’m comfortable, confidence comes more naturally. For meetings, I always rely on good tailoring – blazers, shirts – but if it’s a more relaxed day, especially Fridays, then I like to wear jeans with something more elevated like a cashmere jumper or blazer for balance. 

Day-to-night dressing is very much a reality in the corporate world. Thanks to my complementary career in content creation, I often have events in the evening. There’s definitely power in switching up your accessories, but actually, the first thing I’ll change is my top. For events, I like to switch from a simple shirt to something dressier – maybe right now, a blouse with a scarf detail or something similar. Then, shoes. For work, I’ll probably wear a good loafer, but for an evening event you can’t beat a kitten heel. Their return has made life so much easier for working women! 

Now that I’ve built a great foundation, I’m free to invest in one-off, quality pieces. My approach to shopping for workwear is therefore quite targeted and specific. Because I’ve got the basics down, if I see a beautiful piece from a specific brand, I pretty much know right away whether I want to buy it. That said, I’m always looking at quality, fabrication, comfort and fit. Even when I’ve bought something, I often hang onto it for a couple of days and style it in different ways before deciding whether to keep it. Workwear has to be versatile. 

There are a few brands I always come back to for workwear. One is Róhe Frames – it’s from Amsterdam and the pieces are perfect if you work in a corporate environment but are still into fashion. It’s definitely a minimalist aesthetic, but it’s still interesting – take The Mandarin jacket, for example, the craftsmanship and silhouette are just so good. I also have a jumper from one of its collections, which is maybe three or four years old and still looks brand new. 

Another brand I love is TOTEME. It has great pieces that work for the office but also any kind of occasion. I honestly have a pair of black TOTEME trousers that I must wear at least twice a week. They go with everything. On the high street, I like COS. It offers the basics and some of the highest-quality cashmere you’ll find for the price. Also, it’s worth checking out Massimo Dutti, especially the Studio collections. The designs are really unique and the quality is up there. 

Lots of people believe January is a great time to refresh their work wardrobes. But I’d use this time to interrogate your current rotation – what works, what doesn’t? What have you worn, what’s collecting dust? Then, when the new collections start to trickle in, you can make some smart investments. Keep a list on your phone of what you’re missing and then shop by cross-referencing with that list. Does the piece you’re looking at fill that gap? Will it make getting dressed easier? What’s the estimated cost per wear? Then you can decide if it’s a good buy.  

Watch out during sale season – just because something is discounted doesn’t make it a better purchase. The same questions and rules still apply. Also, don’t get wound up about things selling out. As a content creator, it’s very tempting to be the first person with the latest bag or coat, but those aren’t the pieces that have true longevity in my wardrobe. Don’t worry about missing out on ‘It’ pieces – there’ll be something else you’re obsessed with soon enough. And always ask yourself: do you really want this or do you want it just because everyone else has it? Especially for work, things have to work for your lifestyle. There’s no point investing thousands in an ‘It’ bag if it doesn’t fit your laptop. 

I’m also a big reseller. I have to admit, I’m quite ruthless. If there’s something in my wardrobe I haven’t worn in two months, I’ll generally move it on. Eventually, you’ll get to a place where you realise you’re not selling that much – and it’s because you’re wearing everything on rotation pretty consistently. 

It might surprise people to hear I don’t really plan my outfits. My mood shifts too much, so it needs to be somewhat spontaneous in the morning. That said, if you’ve put in the work building a wardrobe full of pieces that all work together, then styling becomes a far quicker task and much more instinctive. Sometimes, I think about it the night before, but my outfit ultimately reflects how I feel when I wake up. 

There’s a lot of talk in the industry about the return of statement fashion. But it doesn’t fluster me. Just because I enjoyed a few seasons of quiet luxury and minimalism doesn’t mean I’m going to turn my back on either of them because the tide is turning. Those aesthetics reflect my personal style, and I don’t think ‘timelessness’ will ever go away. This is who I am. 

If you want to look cool at the office, there are ways to do it. Think about funnel-neck jackets, for example. As long as you get the colour right for your environment and team it with pieces that feel appropriate, you will look modern, chic and professional. That’s just one way you could tap into a current trend without pushing the boundaries too much.  

Also, start with the basics. Use pieces you feel comfortable in to create a solid foundation – trousers, roll-necks, shirting, blazers – then add details to elevate the look. That might be a specific texture or silhouette, or even a statement piece, if it feels like it fits your personal style. A flash of colour can also transform a look. Pinterest is a great place to find inspiration – I probably look at it every day, especially old collections like Calvin Klein in the 90s. Use your evenings to disseminate all the information and inspiration you find online, and cross-reference your ideas with your actual wardrobe. You’ll soon see if there are gaps that need filling or things that need selling. Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment. Take time at home to style some looks so you’re not doing it in 20 minutes at 7am.  

My mum gave me the best advice about dressing for work. I started my career in finance as an intern and at that time, my style was completely different. It was more colourful and playful because I was still trying to find myself. She told me: “You just need to feel like yourself.” My mum wasn’t really into fashion but she loved dressing up. So, every time I try something new now, I hear her voice in my head.  

The grey Massimo set was my favourite look from the shoot. It’s not necessarily the usual outfit I would wear to the office, but I really liked it and it was fun trying something new. I’m still thinking about buying it, actually. It was different but still felt like me. 

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