Office dressing ! Your chic & effortless work wardrobe starts here …
Your new season work wardrobe starts here!
So many of you have requested help with office/work wear..
Of course times have changed in the corporate office world.
Your wardrobe is probably more casual.
Or you might be working part time from home.
But you still want to look chic, understated, professional …and best for your age.
Who said you need to spend a fortune to look fabulous?!
The trick ?
Invest in expensive (looking) versatile colours like black, camel, navy and cream.
(FYI Hot pink, Purple, bright green never look expensive unless they are.)( Just a reminder!)
Stick to the FiFi philosophy of table top dressing: make the focus on top of the body.
That’s where people are looking: Your face ( not at your knees believe or not !)
Meaning?
Invest in lots of stand out jackets, major blouses and statement tops.
Keep the bottoms classic and understated. ( they’re hidden under the table)( good for zoom too !)
Of course the trouser suit is back. And it makes life easy : just make sure it’s updated to slouchy blazer and baggy pants.
A loose cut so it looks effortless rather than tight and uncomfortable. Go for grey, khaki, camel or brown. Navy can be tricky as it can look like an insurance /airline uniform. True!
Everybody stop looking !
I have done the hard work and shopping for you.
I’ve been tracked down the best pieces out there : see below !
Your workwear checklist:
A blazer :
It’s the pivotal piece in your wardrobe so let me talk about it in depth. Look for double breasted and slouchy. Single breasted and slouchy. It needs exaggerated shoulders. Whatever it does, it needs to sit across ‘the situation’ when it’s undone ( who wears a jacket done up ? Nobody ! So don’t be trying it on done up. Try it on UNDONE and make sure it sits right across your waist). Don’t worry if the shoulders sit over your shoulders. That’s the look. Should not be black. Too limiting. Only looks good with jeans. (Put a black blazer with black pants and it could be a snooze fest = boring)( even for work). First choice camel, grey, navy or brown or khaki . That’s a lot of choicea ! To repeat: pink, green or any bright colour blazer? Never looks expensive unless it is. Close your eyes and keep walking. Camel? yes ! I have absolutely lived in my Arket oversized camel blazer . Similar here . Still wear it 5 years later : summer and winter. Also think about a check blazer: it’s your standout outerwear item (table top dressing !), it’s a great investment because it will instantly update your old black pants and average tops . Make sure it has black, camel and brown in it , so it works with your pants and skirts. By the way I love a blazer with pants and a skirt: over a dress ? Nope ! It looks too corporate /bank uniform. You want a long coat or trench to toss on that is at the same length as the dress. Similar below.
A shorter jacket;
It’s not a long blazer. It’s your alternative. It is good for work because it is a bit more casual. Not too corporate but still polished. And it will sit so well with your high waist pants and skirts. It’s handy because you can wear it almost like a cardigan ( banned : not fifi approved ! So frumpy cardigans never look good unless you wear out of context over a lace bra or with your Trackpants!). Go for a shorter crop jacket that has pockets and looks a bit utility. It might be in suede, it might be in cotton. It might be twill. I would avoid those collarless round neck ‘Chanel’ style jackets : they can look a bit frumpy too. Layer over a neat knit or white tee.SHOP more here .
A wide leg pant.
In black, navy, grey and camel. High waist , pleat front , flat front but always slouchy. It’s time to UPDATE those slim, low rise tight pants. They’re so out …they will be back in soon. lols. The new shape pants will joosh up your old last season neater shirt or knit tops and give them new life. Try it and see. Don’t need to replace everything just a core piece in your wardrobe. Wear them as long as you can so they almost pool over with a kitten heel or flats. Wear as a suit with the matching blazer.
A white statement Tee/top:
It’s a Tee shirt on steroids. Dramatic and chic. It could have shoulder pads. It should be almost in a structured fabric. Great on its own with big sleeves ( no jacket required!) That means it skims and doesn’t cling ( and looks professional) and remember with big puff sleeves you can wear your blazer on your shoulders.
A short sleeve knit:
I am a big fan of knits instead of shirts: It’s easy to wear, doesn’t need ironing , always looks polished and will keep you warm in the office ( not too warm!). You can repeat wear. Plus if you get one that skims ( not too clingy !) then it’s a “ flattering’” cut and you will always look neat, clean and tidy! Which is what looking professional work appropriate is all about right? Oh and comfortable too. They work under a blazer or on their own.
A sleeveless Vest:
Otherwise known as a jacket without sleeves. Great to wear in Autumn. (you will wear into next summer). Great to wear in an office when it’s cold! Layer it over a neat knit or a plain shirt. Because sometimes you take off your blazer at your desk but still need something structured and chic . That’s why I love and adore a sleeveless vest. You can move your arms around freely ( good for me when I am shopping!) but still look polished. Over a white shirt can look too swashbuckling Zorro. haha. But works with a long sleeve tee for sure. Wear with the matching pants like this so it’s a suit. But it will also look great over a flirty skirt or pencil skirt. THIS is amazing : it’s the vest that turns into a blazer. Or should I say vice versa: it has detachable sleeves : genius!
A flirty skirt:
It needs to be midi. Over the knee. Or longer. It might be pleat, in leather, cotton or wrap cargo style. Most flattering shape? A line. Because it looks good with flats AND low heels. A pencil knee length skirt? Yes chic with heels/boots Wrong with flats. Actually probably just wrong as very hard to carry off. Go for a slight A line cut.
A simple dress:
Round neck, fit n flare shape. Minimal. Might have sleeves. A shirt dress. Or sleeveless. Make sure it’s long : Midi , mid shin. Anything shorter? Nope. Dated. Any colour as long as it’s in a FiFi approved colour. Frumpy florals, kooky colours or pesky prints are a no go zone. Dated. Aging. Tricky.
A blouse or shirt:
Should be a standout shape with interesting sleeves so it can stand on its own. When you take off your jacket right? Goodbye boring tight white non de la non shirt that looks like a bank teller. You need drama. Plain or stripe, pussy bow is even cute ! Go for camel and white. Something that has drama , big cuffs, wraps and ties. That’s how to look fashiony. Got for a sturdier fabric , a heavy crepe so you look polished.This is a winner ! A white cotton shirt is just so hard as they wrinkle too much. You look a mess before you even leave the house ! A blue shirt is always on the FiFi list because blue loves neutrals, lightens up black and adores camel. It’s a little bit of colour that instantly lightens your life. As simple as that.
Shorts/culottes:
Yes, love those for the office. Don’t call them shorts, call them culottes. They looks great with heels. Maybe boots in winter if you are feeling fashiony. Obviously we are talking knee length. Invest now early in the trend. They look great with a knit. With a blazer. A chic blouse. You want black, grey or camel. In leather of course. Hot pink or denim shorts? Haha I don’t think so !
A Trench:
Of course ! Camel or beige. Khaki is good too. But you knew that. You need to toss it over a dress or a skirt . You are NOT wearing a short tight blazer with a dress to the office : No, no, no ! So wrong. It’s got to be a long oversized blazer. But I think a trench or coat that is the same length as your skirt is so modern and chic . Both mid shin LONG! More trenchcoats here. And here.
Accessories:
In terms of shoes you can’t go wrong with white pumps, kitten heels, ballet flats , a designer belt , a big designer tote in in tan , brown. This is a practical tote ( highly recommended from FiFi followers).
Please DM or email with any questions : Always happy to help! x
Get shopping below (: so many good things it was hard to edit it down)
