SME: Romola Garai aka Bel Rowley in The Hour

Photo Credit                    Photo Credit

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

5 Lesson Learnt/styles to steal

1. Personalise with a vintage broach

2. French Twist Up-do's for timeless elegance

3. One piece dresses with collar details

4. Rich jewel tones: royal blue, scarlet and forest green

5. Fitted pencil skirts in thicker wool mix fabrics (none of that modern jersey rubbish)

Turtle Power

Today was National Wear a Polo Neck to the office day.

No-one told me. 

Photo Credit

I must get myself to GAP immediately.

P.S. Polo neck or Turtleneck?

Red Herring

Why?

 Why make a perfectly lovely crepe dress? 

Perfect for office power dressing..

...and then ruin it with a thigh high split?

Tweed need

Ugh, no High Street, I do not want a cheap looking red/purple/green poly-cotton body-con dress with a *shudder* peplum. 

I would like something lady-like and elegant in tweed please.

Thank you Next 

(I will forgive the slight peplum)

                                                          

Elle-egant Advice

Elle UK has a good work-wear supplement this month!

http://www.elle.com/

While I was searching for an on-line link I found this little gem: 

STYLE A TO ZEE: NINE TO FIVE: fashion advice on what works—and what doesn't—at the office

My favourite? 1. Pink is not the new black

Sound advice.

http://www.lecourtisan.net/contents/en-uk/d74.html

SME: Martha Costello

BBC Silk's Martha Costello

Source: http://donnashana.tumblr.com/post/23153330071

5 Lessons learned

                                          1. Red lipstick

                                          2. Simple pared back elegance

                                          3. Identical tailored white shirts

                                          4. Sharp black skirt suit

                                          5. Perfect monochrome capsule wardrobe

Paper London

Paper London is a brand after 9to7's heart...stylish, fashion forward work-wear. 

Check out the Website & subscribe to their mailing list.

 Suit jackets with quirky sleeves and lapels.

Summer dresses in spring brights.

 And the gorgeous gorgeous Rayleigh Dress. This is on 9to7's bonus list.

Working the trends: Ice cream shades

Not just for serving with chocolate chips, mint is one of the easiest of this seasons candy shades to work in the corporate world.

Mint Choc Chip Sundae

Pair it with black, white, grey or dark red in a less conservative office.

ASOS Pencil Skirt, KK in A.L.C Mint Zoe Blazer, Diane Von Furstenberg Blouse

Mint accessories are a subtle way to add a trend to your current spring wardrobe.

My beloved Modalu Pippa Bag now comes in a mint shade and although a little too high to be taken seriously - I love the mint patent on these SportMax heels.

...and of course, use liberally in after-work Mojitos..

Blazer of Glory

The classic mix & match wardrobe staple, the humble blazer instantly smartens up a dress.

 Mix coloured print dresses with plain jackets and candy coloured blazers over grey or white.

Dark red goes amazingly with corporate grey £49.99 from Zara.

The white trim on this River Island navy jacket brings a little cruise chic to the office.

 I'm not usually a fan of trouser suits (or beige) but I can't resist the flare on this luxe Chloé wool-crepe ensemble.

A plainer jacket like this one also from River Island balances out a printed top.

 The stone colour of this Miu Miu blazer looks lovely with a summery candy peach and also with black and navy.

Last but not least, I adore yellow and this Altuzarra deliciousness looks amazing with grey and white to bring a bit of sunshine to your P&L.

Spring/Summer 2012: Pastels

 Pretty pastels on the catwalks for S/S 2012. 

It's taken a few weeks for them to trickle down to the high-street but here are a few office friendly gems:

                         

This two tone dress from Oasis, is simple enough for the office and not too girly...unlike this pink skirt, from Oasis again, not corporate but cute.

 Coral is a smarter way to wear pink, this Sharango dress from TKMAXX is only £25. This lilc skirt is a nice alternative to grey without looking too cutesy. Love the pale yellow shoes with it.

Finally this colour block dress from M&S matches mint with grey & black.Wear with a chunky black belt to officify it up.

1. Partners wear suits.
2. Immaculate skirt suits can be worn with unique accessories such as belts & broaches.
3. What you wear into work matters - e.g. scruffy boots/flipflops/ballet pumps in the lift.
4. Less bags = more order (gym bag + laptop bag +handbag+ shoe bag = chaos on the tube).
5. Everybody notices chipped nails. Bright/dark nails need to be perfect.
6. Ditto bright/dark lips - reapply after lunch/coffee.
7. If you think it might be too tight/too short, it is - remove from work wardrobe.
8. If anything makes you feel fat/scruffy - remove it from all wardrobes & temptation.
9. Not all trends work for the office e.g. Lace dresses (Have seen several on the Wharf).
10. Desk/Handbag essentials:

• Mini lint roller
• Concealer & mascara
• Mini nail file & varnish remover pads
• Ibuprofen & deodorant,
• Travalo (mini perfume atomiser) & 
• Phone charger.

Wharf Wonders..

Scarf, Fushia, Skirt, Suit,Shoes, Fushia Tights

..and woes...

Tights, Peep toe shoes, Skirt, Tartan Skirts

A few quick picks from the January Highstreet.

Dress 1:  Oasis, £65.00: Classic colour and flattering on the bust.
Dress 2:  Hobbs, £149: Navy nautical smart shift.
Dress 3:  Dorothy Perkins, £30,: This dress loves your curves.

Dress 4: Marks & Spencer, £45: This dress also loves your curves.
Dress 5: Oasis, £50, Colour!
Dress 6: Warehouse, £30, A classic shift in a modern colour.