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16th May 2017

Workwear (my way)

Fashion - By Alexandra Stedman

Shirt: £29.99, Uniqlo (this is a men’s size Small). Trousers: £190, Cefinn. Bag: Sezane (old). Shoes: Zara (old). Photographs: Christopher O’Donnell.

Despite being able to wear pretty much anything to work (sequin skirt and trainers? Yes. T-shirt, jeans and Converse? Yep), I still always look to a more smarter approach to workwear. Mainly as a good excuse to get me out of my daily jeans uniform, but also because I often get asked what I’d wear to work.

Shirt: £29.99, Uniqlo (this is a men’s size Small). Moon necklace: Laura Lee. Gold-plated ‘Heartbeats’ necklace: £55, Alexi London (use code FRUGALITY for a 10% discount online). Watch: £125, Skagen.

So this is it. Not exactly ground-breaking, I know….but I always believe a well-cut pair of trousers can get you anywhere. And these are pretty fab, as far as an investment pair go. They’re by Samantha Cameron’s next business venture: Cefinn, and the brand is selling phenomenally well on Net A Porter – with many styles already sold out in their first season. I’ve had loads of compliments on these – between a dark navy and a black with the perfect height on the ankle for me.

I’m a strong believer that if you wouldn’t wear it in your ‘real’ life, don’t wear it to work. And the thing about a good pair of trousers is that they’re the basis of a great wardrobe, no matter what job you do – entrepreneur, creative, mum – and can then be used as a building block for more affordable pieces.

Here I’m wearing with Uniqlo‘s iconic linen shirt (but I bought in a men’s size Small, for a less fitted style with extra slouchiness) and an old pair of Zara heels. And I feel ‘luxe’. But equally they work with flats or trainers for the commute or the school run…

Shirt: £29.99, Uniqlo (this is a men’s size Small). Trousers: £190, Cefinn. Bag: Sezane (old). Shoes: J Crew (old).

And because workwear’s a tricky one, I’ve put together a little gallery of some great High Street pieces that can be worn for both work and real life. My tip is look for the usual workwear culprits in a way that you can make your own – a shirt with more quirky details like embroidery, or a pair of statement earrings that can lift your daily look:

1. Poplin embroidered top: £32, Topshop

2. Nail colour in ‘Moss’: £3, Cheeky

3. Bag: £19.99, H&M

4. Midi skirt: £7.90, Uniqlo

5. Watch: £76, Swatch

6. Lace-up ballet pumps: £17.99, H&M

7. Cotton shirt: £34, Topshop

8. High waisted trousers: £35.99, Mango

9. Tassel earrings: £12.99, Mango

10. Suede heels: £68, Office

By Alexandra Stedman

Fashion Editor, Blogger, Realist

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Comments

  1. Julie Greenlee says

    16th May 2017 at 7:30 am

    Love reading your blogs mainly because you actually give ideas that are for every pocket not just items that our too expensive for most. Trouble is I then have to go and buy something I’ve seen…!

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      16th May 2017 at 4:09 pm

      Haha! Thank you but sorry! xxx

      Reply
  2. Shloka says

    16th May 2017 at 4:17 pm

    I love your workwear picks! Like you, I can wear anything to work but I like to have a bit of a uniform sometimes and I totally agree, a good pair of trousers can take you anywhere. Plus I think Uniqlo has some of the best shirts!

    x
    Shloka
    http://thesilksneaker.com

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      16th May 2017 at 7:31 pm

      couldn’t agree more! x

      Reply
  3. Rebecca says

    16th May 2017 at 6:17 pm

    You’re so smart buying the shirt in men’s small! I bought it in women’s small and find it too fitted to my liking. Can I ask do you wear a camisole underneath? I find it a bit too sheer even for a nude bra.

    Love your blog and your style all the way from Vancouver, Canada!

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      16th May 2017 at 7:31 pm

      Thank you – yes I felt the same when I tried the women’s version….I’m wearing a pale triangle bra here – it’s quite a loose fit shirt so doesn’t show underneath as much x

      Reply
  4. Anna says

    17th May 2017 at 11:25 am

    Great post! Love this look and went to check out the trousers but the 10 is just sold out 🙁 just wondered if they came up true to size and whether I should risk the 8? Many thanks and keep up the great work on your blog, I love checking back every few days for some style inspiration!

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      17th May 2017 at 10:01 pm

      Thanks so much Anna – so I would get a size 10 in shops like H&M and Topshop but these are a size 8 and are fine – so may be worth a try? x

      Reply
  5. Jovita says

    18th May 2017 at 8:35 pm

    Super stylish as always! I really like your shoes! 😉

    Jovita from Black Vanilla
    http://www.b-vanilla.com

    Reply
  6. instagram online says

    25th May 2017 at 11:56 am

    I often wear this style to work, more comfortable than skirt 😀 Thank you for sharing these pieces, they are all cute!
    Love your shoes <3

    http://www.intabe.com/

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Copy Cat » Leigh Feather says:
    3rd October 2017 at 2:50 am

    […] Look Two: White button down, black pegged trousers and red pumps. I love her shoes—leather with ankle straps. Mine are swede and you can’t see it but they have a nice brown block heel. This is a simple, obvious outfit formula, but somehow I needed Pinterest to tell me it goes together. Source […]

    Reply

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