Marie Claire UK - 10.2019

54

Fashion first

Here to solve all your workwear dilemmas is

style journalistAlice Olins, co-founder of women’s

career coaching network @TheStepUpClub

FASHION @WORK

Q.

I have a big pitch coming up, is this a good

time to rethink my workwear look?

Lucy, advertising executive

Firstly, big pitches often indicate

bigprogress at work, so let’s take

a moment to say well done! Now onto

the clothes. Formula dressing is your

best bet, and here’s my formula for

today: own style + quiet drama =

pitching sartorial success. What do

I mean by that? When we want to

impress, we also usually feel exposed

and vulnerable. So, now is not the time

to test new fashion waters – consistency

is key. So, start where you always do: if

you are a dress woman, stay true to

yourself; ditto if suits are your default

option. Also, if you work in a very causal

environment, be confident enough to

wear those relaxed vibes with pride.

Now, we want – and need – to add

some quiet drama to the proceedings,

because, let’s face it, you want to make

a good impression, be memorable and

feel kick-ass in the process. A jumpsuit is

a great place to start. If you love trousers

and a shirt, then let me introduce you to

this Staud beauty (left, top), which

looks like two separate pieces but is

actually a killer jumpsuit with all the

correct proportions. Staud is a new-ish

brand to the UK (all items are designed

and made in LA), but it’s doing wonders

to shake up the top end of the high

street. At £ 305, it isn’t cheap, but itwill

last and make you feel like you can

rule the world. I am officially in love.

If jumpsuits aren’t your thing, or

you don’t want to buy an entire outfit,

an update piece is perfect and I’d

recommend this blouse (left, bottom)

by The Fold, which falls beautifully at

the neck, has a rich, slightly decadent

print and will be ideal for post-work

cocktails if you’re celebrating. I’d say

wear it with dark red, wide-leg trousers

(but I am one for tonal matching). If

that’s not your thing, it’ll happily sit

with tan, navy or grey slacks instead.

With a bit of style tweaking to add

drama, these items are great for pretty

much any work environment. That’s

where the first part of the formula comes

in again: remember, even during these

big moments, stay true to who you are

and where you work – that way you’ll feel

strong, confident and truly authentic.

Follow StepUpClub on Instagram

@thestepupclub

Blouse

,£175

,

The

Fo l d

JOANNA DAI THE PIONEER BEHIND JET SET SUITING

Jumpsuit

,

£305,

Sta

ud

at Matc

hes

fashi

on.com

The New York-based ex-banker-

turned-founder of cutting-edge

new suiting brand, Dai, tells us

how the label came about...

‘Having worked for eight years in

investment banking, it suddenly

hit me on the flight home from a

same-day work trip that my suit

was incredibly uncomfortable. My

waistband was cutting into me and

I wondered if workwear could feel like

yoga wear but look like a power suit?’

Fast forward three years and Dai

uses sustainable fabrics from Italian

mills that deliver four-way stretch,

are breathable, soft, wrinkle-

resistant, machine washable,

anti-pilling and eco-certified.

Designs are rooted in timeless

silhouettes and feature functional

details, like smartphone-sized

pockets. What’s more, the

label also supports female-focused

NGOs, like Dress for Success.

Blazer,

£395,Dai

Trouser

s,

£223,

Twinset

COMPILED BY ALISON BELAMANT. PHOTOGRAPH BY ZUTE LIGHTFOOT PHOTOGRAPHY. STILL LIFES BY NOHALIDEDIGITAL.COM. VISIT STEPUPCLUB.CO