She Wears It Well: How real women approach a 12-hour working wardrobe
Welcome to the first edition of our new She Wears It Well feature: a regular dose of inspiration devoted to our favourite stylish women. We'll discover how they make their look work, and what the rest of us can learn from their stylish approaches. We’re kicking off with four women from very different professions, who reveal how they master a 12-hour working wardrobe.
Only follow trends if they're flattering
47-year-old Clare Hornby, founder of clothing brand Me+Em, gets through her working week by steering clear of heels and investing in flattering trousers.
Wool stripe jumper, £119, Me+Em; jersey layering shirt, £79, Me+Em; leather wide leg pant, £399, Me+Em; reversible strap saddle bag, £269, Me + Em; Shoes, Clare’s own
1. Always ask yourself ''is a trend flattering?'' The side stripe trouser trend is good because they slim your legs. I can't stand things that don't make you taller, slimmer, longer.
2. Look for brands that invest in fabric and cut and for pieces that are both functional and comfortable, that move with the body rather than against it. If these pieces are machine washable, even better.
3. If you like colour, wear a bright shade away from your face by layering it over a blouse with a high collar. You'll find you can wear tones you have previously ruled out. The Me+Em layering shirt is good for this.
4. Employ little twists that keep your look contemporary. A smart white trainer and a wide leg trousers are perfect for this, without making you feel as though you've over done it.
5. Sometimes a slightly trendier bag worn with a classic suit will give your outfit that edge you're looking for.
Stay true to your style
44-year-old Vice President of Marketing for jewellery brand Pandora and mum of two, Jo Glynn-smith, has one key rule when it comes to workwear: be yourself.
Electra cotton blouse, £380, Anna Mason; Carmen cotton skirt £380, Anna Mason; sterling silver birthstone ring stack, £40 each, Pandora; sterling silver blue & turquoise enamel ring stack, £55 each, Pandora; grey boots, Jimmy Choo (Jo's own)
1. People get very flustered about workwear. It’s a bit like going to a wedding and overthinking it so much that you end up looking like someone else’s mum. You should just be yourself.
2. Edit your wardrobe to limit the number of decisions you have to make - it's a bit of a skill. The only things I cant get rid of are coats, because they're so beautiful.
3. I like to wear heels - they make me feel more empowered and improve my deportment. Not too high though - just so my legs look longer.
4. I don't follow trends. I’ve always worn bell bottoms whether they're in or out of fashion. I like clothes that have one thing about them that makes them really special, such as a sleeve or a wide-leg.
5. I like to stack my jewellery, which Pandora pieces are good for. I try to wear delicate jewellery in a bigger way, whether that's doubling up my earrings, or wearing 6 bangles on each wrist.
50 cheery buys to brighten up your day
Seek out great discount buys
39-year-old Nik Southern, founder of Grace & Thorn florist, tells us how she dresses practically without skimping on style for days spent buzzing between her two East London shops and the flower market.
Cotton Shirt, £65, Kitri; J Brand faux leather jeans, £295, Fenwick of Bond Street; leather ankle boots, £114, Frye
1. The first question I ask myself every morning is ''am I warm?'', because it's always freezing in the shop. So I'll usually be wearing a woolly polo neck at this time of year. But I love my gold jewellery - I never leave the house without it. I like to wear hoop earrings, layered necklaces and big rings all together.
2. I shop a lot from The Outnet. My best buy was a pair of Tory Burch leather trousers, which I probably wear four days out of seven.
3. I'm always in flat shoes. Nike Courtez are my go-to, I have three pairs of the same black and white style.
4. I wear a lot of black and grey but I also love khaki and olive green - they're a good compromise for people who don't like wearing bright colours.
5. I rarely have time to go home in the evening and change before going out for dinner or drinks in the evening, but a bright lipstick helps me get away with it.
Know your colours
60-year-old science writer and broadcaster, Vivienne Parry, shares her tips for looking glamorous both on and off the camera.
Regent blazer, £218, J Crew; cotton shirt, £39.50, Marks and Spencer; cotton skirt £69, COS; suede court shoes, £175, L.K. Bennett
1. Before I buy something I ask myself: 'Does it travel well? Does is crease? And does it ride up when I sit down?' For this reason, I never shop online and I always take my husband with me.
2. I love heels but they're not always practical when I'm running into the audience with a microphone. Instead I wear colourful flats by Chantelles or J. Crew.
3. I always wear a two piece, so a white shirt is my default - plus they look great on camera. I'm a magnet for spills though, so I need to be extra careful.
4. It's important to know your colours. Navy works for me but black doesn't. Nor does black look as smart on camera as it does in real life. I like bright shoes and a bright lip.
5. If I don't have time to change before the evening, I'll put on sparkly earrings. I don't have my ears pierced - I was put off by my father owning a piercing and tattoo shop - but John Lewis does very good clip-ons''.
