Fab Guest Post-Brightening Up the Office

For the most part, I get to dress freely at work, but if I have to make court appearances, attend licensing meetings or go to intellectual property conferences, I have to look and dress the part. After all, I am a lawyer! So, I talked to the stylists over at Donna Ida, a popular high-end boutique in London to get a few tips on how to look fashionable but professional in the work place:

Whether it's bright jeans, pastel knitwear, bold prints or Aztec jewelry, this season is all about color. Which is all very well if you’re lazing in the park with some Pimms or throwing parties on your rooftop every evening–but what about when you’re confined to the glass walls of your office, and the only sunshine you get is the Vitamin D from your Pret smoothie?


Luckily, the designers behind Current/Elliott have come to the rescue. Their leopard-print pencil skirt is respectable enough to command all attention in the boardroom, but naughty enough to cheer you up mid-spread sheet. Wear with a plain cream blouse for office chic, and add a statement necklace for a day-to-night look.
If animal prints are that little bit too risqué for your place of work, look to Stella McCartney for an office look with a twist. Her blue chambray dress with a Hawaiian print has a classic shift shape (with flattering three quarter length sleeves) but the bold tonal print injects some summer fun into a other-wise simple dress. Team with nude courts for a glamorous look, or dress down with black ankle boots and a leather jacket.
If you want to stick to the neutral tones that saw you through winter, go for some cropped trousers, like these ginger ones from Current/Elliott. You can brighten them up with a burst of color on your top half, and create a statement look by mixing up textures with a silk shirt or chiffon blouse. Throw on a cashmere jumper when the AC gets too cold, and trot around your office in a pair of strappy sandals, showing off your ankles.



When the only appropriate office-wear for you is a black fitted suit and courts, try injecting a bit of color into your look in a way that only you will notice. Think mint nails, coral jewelry, and pastel colored underwear. Even if no-one but you will know its there, you’ll still feel part of the summer trends happening outside. Hanky Panky do a fun selection of lace underwear that come in the brightest of shades, and the thongs are comfortable enough to stop you fidgeting in your swivel chair. Be brave and choose the neon yellow ones!