Ask The Expert
Mastering the Capsule Wardrobe
Looking professional but chic in an office situation is a tall order, and it's easy to revert to the old black trousers, white shirt combo. Luckily Debbie's got some suggestions to help one UKTV Style viewer get it right.
Hi Debbie,
I have landed a fantastic promotion and am about to start a great new job in the city. Trouble is, I used to work in Media and was allowed to wear whatever I liked to work. For me this was usually jeans and a top - nothing fancy at all. For my new job, I need to start dressing in a "corporate" way. How can I find the right pieces that will allow me to build up some sort of capsule wardrobe? I'd like to look smart, but not unfashionable and boring!
Any advice would be fantastic.
Jenny
UKTV Style's Agony Aunt replies:
Dear Jenny,
The art of looking professional and yet chic has got to be one of the hardest to pull off - hence the flock of business women who wear nothing but boring black trouser suits to work. Whilst this is practical, it has to rate as the least imaginative style of dressing known to woman. I'm sure you can do better than that!
I suggest that you take yourself off on a trawl of one or two of the larger department stores and check out a few designers like Episode and DKNY, who are at two ends of the working woman design spectrum - one perfect for boardroom elegance and the other for everyday practical and yet sexy clothing.
I have landed a fantastic promotion and am about to start a great new job in the city. Trouble is, I used to work in Media and was allowed to wear whatever I liked to work. For me this was usually jeans and a top - nothing fancy at all. For my new job, I need to start dressing in a "corporate" way. How can I find the right pieces that will allow me to build up some sort of capsule wardrobe? I'd like to look smart, but not unfashionable and boring!
Any advice would be fantastic.
Jenny
UKTV Style's Agony Aunt replies:
Dear Jenny,
The art of looking professional and yet chic has got to be one of the hardest to pull off - hence the flock of business women who wear nothing but boring black trouser suits to work. Whilst this is practical, it has to rate as the least imaginative style of dressing known to woman. I'm sure you can do better than that!
I suggest that you take yourself off on a trawl of one or two of the larger department stores and check out a few designers like Episode and DKNY, who are at two ends of the working woman design spectrum - one perfect for boardroom elegance and the other for everyday practical and yet sexy clothing.
