C-Suite Fantasy Fashion
A money-is-no-object edit (with more affordable alternatives) – plus a couple little updates.
Hello and welcome back to Workwear Inc. (An especially big welcome and thank you if you’re a paying subscriber!) Since launching this newsletter back in May, I’ve been trying to find the right groove with it. The original plan was one a week, and I was debating between Fridays and Sundays, but after a couple of months of experimenting, I think I’ve finally settled on a send-out every other Sunday. In a nutshell, I really want to be able to put something together that feels well-curated, original and inspiring – rather than a basic product roundup – and this takes some time. I also have some more ‘IRL’ content lined up, which requires an ‘off’ weekend to shoot and prepare. All that said, I absolutely intend to stay super-engaged with readers during those interim periods via recommendations, musings and more over on Substack Notes (a little bit like Twitter X). And as always, you’re welcome to hit me up whenever with feedback or questions on workwearinc@substack.com.
Anyways, onto this evening’s newsletter. While the Reader Report two weeks ago was rooted in real-world dilemmas, this one is all about fantasy. Specifically, what would I wear to office if I were running the show? The answer of course depends on the industry, so below I’ve dreamt up three C-suite women in corporate, tech and luxury – where the unspoken dress codes are all a little different – and indulged in a spot of virtual window shopping for each. As for the rest of us who are still clambering our way up the ladder, I’ve also included some more affordable (but nonetheless great quality) alternatives so you can emulate the aesthetic. Enjoy!
The Corporate Partner
This woman is high up at a law firm, a bank, a management consultancy etc. Most days, she’s smartened up in tailoring and shirting, and she can afford the very best. In her place, and being the clothes lover I am, I’d be splashing out on made-to-measure: tailoring by Saman Amel (a Swedish menswear label who happily create bespoke suits for women) and custom shirts from Charvet. However, I’d also very happily settle for off-the-rack if that rack belonged to The Row – specifically their Sandon Jacket and Encore Pant in Navy and the Valeine Shirt in Ivory/Beige. Occasionally I might swap in a super-luxe knit (see this from Joseph), or I’d go more playful with suiting from edgier designers such as Rejina Pyo. And true to my mantra that shoes and bags are where you can really show off your personality in a more rigid professional setting, I’d invest in Loewe’s shapely Flamenco in a shade of olive or Tom Ford’s 90s-style slingbacks in a deep red.
The Affordable-ish Alternative
If your aesthetic is The Row but your budget is not, then you’re probably already a fan of Cos. Workwear highlights from this season for me include this navy twill shirt, which I’d pair with matching tailoring and layers of gold jewellery, and this short-sleeve blazer (their e-comm has fabulous styling inspo too). For silk shirts, I tend to go to Equipment (there are always sales on, and you can find big bargains on The Outnet). At the slightly higher end, there’s Theory, who make unfussy elevated basics – and if your budget can stretch even further, then I’d turn to Studio Nicholson (their sale right now is incredible). Finally for a squishy, Loewe-like bag at a fraction of the cost, try the APC Ninon in faux leather.
The Tech Exec
Seeing what the multigazillionaires in Silicon Valley wear honestly makes me want to weep. If I were cashing in enough to shop just about anywhere, but was still keen to match the laidback vibe of my open-plan office, I’d take my money to High Sport (surprise surprise) and buy a pair of their kick flares in every colour. Up top, I’d go for expensive knits from the likes of The Row, Nili Lotan and Johnstons of Elgin. And while I don’t really believe in designer trainers, I’d make an exception for Loewe’s Flow Runners. For days where I need to look a little more ‘commanding’ – maybe there’s a board meeting or a speaking gig in the diary – I’d throw on a slingback heel, a chic shirt (say this one from Rejina Pyo) and a mannish blazer. And for accessories, I’d trade the corporate leather handbag for something laidback but no less luxe in canvas – such as this Jil Sander – and finish off with Cutler & Gross glasses and an Oura ring.
The Affordable-ish Alternative
How to achieve the C-suite look on a mid-level budget? For trainers, Onitsuka Tiger offers the closest match to the Loewes in the shape of the Mexico 66. There are also dozens of ways to emulate the High Sport kick-flare look without shelling out upwards of £700 – I mentioned a couple activewear styles in the first Reader Report, and there’s no shortage of smarter options on the high street. I’d do WNU for laidback oversized shirts (maybe a Weekend in Seersucker); they’re a tad less ‘high fashion’ but they’re of such exceptional quality that I’d still buy them if I could afford to spend much more. And for knits, I’d go for Cos or Mr P. menswear. Finally, independent Parisian brand Rue de Verneuil makes some of the most gorgeous canvas bags (I copped a navy one on sale during Covid), and I buy chic-but-affordable glasses at Jimmy Fairly.
The Luxury Boss
Here I had in the mind the woman who’s on the leadership team of a powerhouse luxury brand or conglomerate (be it in fashion, beauty, hospitality etc.). Essentially, she has the sort of public-facing job where exquisite taste is a prerequisite and a splash of personality is not frowned upon. In her position, I’d be tapping my industry contacts to help me acquire smart-yet-feminine pieces from the likes of Victoria Beckham, Gabriela Hearst and Altuzarra straight off the runway – with a friends-and-family discount. This woman probably isn’t commuting in via Tube, so a fabulous pair of Gianvito Rossi heels is feasible. And I’ve thrown in some Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses (Kendall Roy’s brand of choice) for when she’s dashing out to meetings. Finally, if I were eyeing up a new handbag purchase, I’d go for the Balenciaga Rodeo in Latte. I’m not a fan of the brand in its current iteration by any stretch of the imagination – if you haven’t already, I’d implore you to watch the exquisite Cristobal Balenciaga series on Disney+ and mourn what once was – but I’ll humbly admit they ate this one thing.
The Affordable-ish Alternative
From experience, those of us in the trenches of the ‘glamorous’ industries who aren’t client-facing tend to dress a bit more casually, mixing discounted ‘designer’ purchases with high-street and second-hand. (Heels are surprisingly rare.) However if I were keen to emulate the above look – polished-with-personality – at a more attainable price point, I’d head to The Fold. Rejina Pyo, who I constantly rave about, also has an array of unconventional, feminine tailoring, while Theory offers more classic shapes in gorgeous colours. And for not-dull grown-up shoes, I’d try Aeyde, By Far and Loeffler Randall.
A life update
After seven slightly scrappy years of navigating life as a writer and editor, which has included three (four-ish) stints at YNAP and freelancing with everyone from gal-dem (RIP) to Olivia von Halle, I’ve decided to make a bit of a career switch! From next week, I’ll be working in operations, albeit within the world of luxury fashion, and I could not be more excited to dive into something new. The plan is to still write and consult occasionally (I was recently commissioned by a magazine I adore for a piece about office dressing), but for the most part this newsletter will be my main creative outlet. Hopefully, being in a different field will also translate into a fresh perspective on work life and new musings about workwear in future editions.
Fedora x
Pleaseeeeeeee can you produce a corporate shoe edit for those of us with size 9 (42/43) plus feet? Grateful thanks.