Marie Claire UK - 09.2019

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’venegotiated a promotion, but

how can I step up my wardrobe?

Sarah, marketing manager

Firstof all, congratulations! Nabbing

a promotion isn’t easy. You deserve

somefashion gifts to yourself – it’s always

worthcelebrating life’s wins.

Before I get to my style suggestions,

here’s some advice: a new job is an

emotional and mental upheaval, however

prepared you feel. Allow time to settle in

before piling on any pressure to perform. If

you start feeling you don’t belong or aren’t

good enough (hello, imposter syndrome),

stop,take stock and be kind to yourself.

Romewasn’t built in a week.

On to the fun stuff. There are some loose

new boundaries you might want

to work within to reflect your new

role.Let’s start with grooming.

First impressions do count,

however wrong that is. Consider

your hair, nails and scent. For the

easiest and cheapest update, have a good

haircut and regular manis (or DIY them at

home), and smell the part. Look to others for

inspiration – Michelle Obama and Marissa

Mayer are great examples of women who

wouldn’t go to work with messy hair.

In terms of things to buy, outerwear (one

great coat for summer; another for winter),

accessories and a blazer are useful starting

points. I’ve discovered a lovely brand called

Munthe, which has coats and tailored pieces

thatfeel modern and suitably important,

but not unattainably glossy. They start at

about £200. I especially like the ‘Dietes’

blazer (below left), which works well over

tailored trousers or a midi dress.

Talking of dresses, Rixo is on fire at the

moment with plenty of frocks that tread

the line between femininity and power.

The prints aren’t too ditsy and the shapes

aren’toverly floaty, but they have a softness

that doesn’t say 80s. If you’re more of

a shirt woman, do yourself a favour and

invest in crisp new ones. Arket has great

options at £ 59 a pop, so you could probably

drop a couple in your basket.

Think about accessories, too. Alice

bands are all the rage – add ballsy earrings

and everything below will go unnoticed. Or,

look for an eye-catching necklace that sits

on your collarbone. These details are the

difference between the old and new you.

Ditto great shoes. A well-chosen heel

can lift even the most basic outfit, and you

don’t need to go too high. A pair with punch

has the capacity to upgrade any workwear.

Mainly, though, believe in yourself.

You’re going to have wobbly days as you

adjust, but your new uniform will help

you feel the part. Good luck – enjoy the ride!

FollowStepUpClub on Instagram

@thestepupclub

£990,

Emporio£279, Longines

Armani

3 OF THE BEST

WATCHES

Freshupdates on

a workwear basic

2.

£780,

Gucci

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

1.

3.

Dress,

£295,

Rixo

Blazer,£309,

Munthe

Shoes,

£260,

Marella