Wardrobe Diary | The Workwear Reset


What was the one thing that took the sting out of going back to school after the summer holidays? Fresh new stationary, a new school bag. A pair of new shoes gleaming with polish never failed to put a spring in my step, even if I was going back to uniforms and homework. 

As an adult, the context may have changed but the rules still apply. Having a few new pieces that will refresh my favourite workwear staples and that I can style in endless ways always gives me something to look forward to as the sun sets on long summer days and autumn starts to make its presence known.

As we gear up for a return to work, whether that’s in an office, at home or both, these are the pieces that I’m investing in for my grown-up ‘back to school’ wardrobe.

THE WHITE SHIRT





The white shirt experienced a renaissance this summer, styled on its own over swimwear or layered over a tank top.

The enthusiasm continues into autumn which is perfect as a crisp cotton shirt is the starting point in any working wardrobe. This season you can choose between classic cuts that sit neatly underneath a blazer (I’ll be styling mine open, over a thin, striped turtleneck) or something more directional, like our Balloon Sleeve Cotton Shirt. The structured sleeves are measured to sit perfectly under our sleeveless vests and dresses to instantly make your look feel contemporary.

THE TROUSER SUIT


A co-ord is the ideal solution for busy days: minimal effort with maximum impact.

Reimaging a heritage check with red makes tailoring feel relevant (red is a key trend colour for AW22) without it feeling overwhelming. It’s the perfect way to dip your toe in and introduce trends to your workwear wardrobe. The added bonus of course is that you can build multiple outfits, giving your investment extra mileage. Pair the blazer with denim or our Casual Tapered Turn-Up Cargo Trouser and the slim crop trouser with a chunky knit and ankle boots. 

THE LEATHER BLAZER



A blazer is a cornerstone piece in my wardrobe.

This leather iteration is a true forever piece (one I know my daughters will be desperate to ‘borrow’), crafted from the most beautiful Italian leather in our signature boyfriend cut. It’s an investment that will instantly elevate everything it’s styled with, even the most simple crew neck t-shirt and jeans. For winter, it will create a rich texture clash with knitwear and tailoring - my favourite shortcut to achieving a luxe look on rushed mornings. 
 

THE KNIT


One of the aforementioned sleeveless knits that I can’t wait to wear this autumn/winter.

I love  camo print, and it makes khaki - which is easy to style with every colour you can think of - more interesting. The added genius of this knit is that it’s designed with a detachable snood, which means you can wear it as a crew neck now when the weather is more mild, and then as a polo neck later as we get into the depths of winter for extra warmth.

THE WIDE-LEG JEAN



A wide-leg is my cut of choice for denim.

It visually elongates legs and creates a kind of nonchalant cool, but also allows for extra movement which is ideal for when I’m working from home and tailoring feels too formal and restrictive. For the office, balance with something structured like a tailored blazer to maintain a polished feel. The authentic light wash of this pair feels fresh enough to lift autumnal neutrals.

THE CARGO TROUSER



The colour of this trouser obviously goes with everything but the utility-inspired design gives it a modern edge (another key trend to look out for this season) that I can continue styling at the weekend with casual pieces.

It has deep cuffs that can be worn turned down or turned up for a more cropped length, which makes it more versatile when it comes to styling with different shoes.