Introducing The Reader Report
All your questions, outfit pics and comments in one place – plus a brand-new logo!
Welcome back to Workwear Inc. Have you noticed things look a little different? After two months of dallying, I’ve finally created a proper logo. If you’re reading this in a browser, you’ll also notice some new little updates with the font and layout. Let me know what you think!
I’m super excited about this week’s newsletter. It’s the first edition of the Reader Report that I mentioned a couple weeks ago (with a new name). Essentially, the idea is to include fun nuggets of reader feedback, whether that’s style dilemmas, outfit pics, Workwear Inc.-inspired purchases, musings on what feels “office-appropriate” etc. I’m thinking I’ll do one a month or every other month depending on how much I receive.
To kick things off, I’ve compiled some bits below from friends and friends of friends of Workwear Inc. If you have anything to share for the next one, then drop me an email at workwearinc@substack.com or leave a comment.
Bonus Bags
Q. I’ve just received a bonus and I’d like to buy a new handbag to celebrate. What do you recommend around the £1,500 mark?
A. Ah, what a treat! So, I imagine that if this is your first proper “designer” bag, you want something that’s fairly classic, that feels special and that you’ll get plenty of wear out of. I’m also assuming you want something that can accompany you into the office – so roomy and practical – and which will hold its value.
I’ll be honest, here: I think most designer bags are rubbish. Nowadays, a lot of the so-called luxury houses owned by big conglomerates cut corners to drive down costs and maximise profits, and I just don’t think you really get what you’re paying for. You only need to read the recent headlines or watch that leather guy on TikTok hacking up handbags for proof of that. In general, for true luxury, I’m always inclined to go for small, independent, founder-led labels with less name recognition and minimal marketing spend.
Loewe, however, is a rare exception to the rule, and I’d also shout out The Row. Both brands truly prize craftsmanship and exquisite materials, and while I don’t believe in buying clothes with an eye to selling, I will say their accessories do go for decent prices on the second-hand market. (At one point, The Row’s Margaux was being hailed as the new Birkin, and I’m convinced that everything from Jonathan Anderson-era Loewe is going to skyrocket in value when he eventually leaves.)
To get to the point, my pick would be the Loewe Puzzle Fold Tote. It’s a newer spin on their Puzzle Bag, which has become an iconic brand motif (tick for resale), and it feels timeless and wearable but not plain. The medium is £1,450, so you’ll even have some change, while the XL is £1,750. Otherwise, try the Park Tote Three from The Row – a bit of a stretch, but worth it, at £1,780. The shape is so chic, and I can guarantee that you’ll start getting a lot of admiring glances from very well-dressed women. (For less resellable but still luxe options, try these.)
A final note: if this is your first big luxury purchase, I’d say buy it directly from the brand and/or in store so you can revel in the experience: the customer service, the packaging etc. (You deserve it.) But if you’re not fussed about all that, then Vestiaire Collective is your friend – you’ll likely find something that’s practically good as new on there for a couple hundred pounds off.
Spreadsheets At 5, Pilates at 6
Q. I often go straight from work to the gym and honestly getting changed is such a hassle. Do you have any trouser suggestions that are appropriate for the office but could also be suitable activewear?
A. A few years ago, a very glamorous visual merchandiser for the likes of The Row and Khaite had an idea. She wanted to create chic, activewear-inspired trousers that could see you from the airport to the office to dinner to the dog walk. The result was the High Sport kick flares, in a blend of Lycra and cotton, at a slightly eyewatering price of around £700. Fashion editors instantly raved about them. All the bougie women in New York copped a pair in every colour. And while High Sport says they’re un-dupe-able because the fabric has been custom-engineered, almost every American “high-street” brand has released its own iteration.
I absolutely love the concept but they do all lean a bit too tailored and heavy for actual sport. Instead I’ve done my best to find something more tech-y that’s similar in essence with that cropped kick-flare look. My recommendation is Girlfriend Collective’s fabulous split-hem leggings that feel sleeker than your average activewear – and they’re currently half price at £40 – or these from Lululemon.
I think the key is that you’ve got to balance out the casualness here by being very polished and intentional elsewhere. And with these clingier fabrics, I’d personally opt for a looser, longer shirt or blouse – maybe even a mini dress – that goes past the bum. How about one of the picks from Ganni or Abercrombie below?
Rejina Pyo Steals
Do you remember the Rejina Pyo newsletter from a while back? Well, one corporate lawyer let me know that she and two of her colleagues all ended up going to the in-store sale near their office and buying a few bits off the back of it. Here she is pictured in the brand’s Doughnut Pumps, while her co-workers opted for a leather skirt and a brown blazer with mismatched buttons.
Non-Nun Skirts
Q. I’m struggling to find a suitable work skirt for summer. I obviously want something lighter and more fun to wear but definitely need something below the knee. However, I find so many things just make you look like a nun. Any recommendations?
A. So I feel like the secret here is to (1) look for interesting details within the skirt itself and then (2) balance out the strait-laced feel with younger, cooler pieces everywhere else. I love a wrap skirt for the added dimension. I’m also a fan of pleats – whether it’s a single strong box pleat or all-over accordion pleats – and a tasteful slit. And I quite like the drama of ankle-length maxi skirts in the office, such as this one from A. Emery.
As for summer styling, if I were wearing a shirt, I’d opt for something short-sleeved and boxy – maybe the below pick from Ganni. I’m also really enjoying the long skirt + waistcoat look at the moment (as seen here), or you could go for a sleeveless blouse in a silky fabric with a high neckline. Then I’d throw in a chunky loafer, a sleek Mary Jane ballet flat or a heeled slingback, and some bold, sculptural jewellery. Voila – very chic and not nun-like at all.
