Black and Blue

Top - vintage // Skirt - Topshop // Shirt - Cyrillus // Watch - Fossil// Rings - COS // Bag - Longchamp

I think I only use 10 percent of my wardobe. I've read and heard about how most poeple only use a small portiton of their warbode on a regualr bases. I'm guilty. When it comes to my work wardrobe, I have my favorites (like the  shell top and black skater skirt here) and then I just alternate them, re-wearing some items at least twice a week. I hope don't think that anyone in the office notices, or cares. But it just means that I have subconsciously given myself a uniform to wear to work. I try to mix and match as much as possible, but you know when you have a combo that just works? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I took the pictures as I got home from work. It was such a sunny evening, hence the cameo made by my shadow.

NB - I'm wearing a cotton shirt underneath which was seriously wrinkled. I didn't have time/was too lazy to iron it. The cuff and collar weren't creased so I put the shell top over the shirt et voilà. No one knew what I was hiding. What they can't see won't hurt you! I'm on the look out for more shell tops to layer over shirts incase of crease emergencies.

SMART CASUAL OUTFIT 8

Trench- Zara (similar here) // Vintage Top // H&M Skirt (similar here)

With the weather changing, it's harder to know which coat to wear. Do you go for the big woolly coat and dress for the morning? (For those of you who don't wake up at 6 am, it’s really cold outside!) Or do you put on something lighter for the commute and walk home? Right now, wearing a spring trench coat and a winter scarf seems to do the trick. And I don’t get on the train looking like I've run a marathon (sweaty is not a good look). 

This is one of my favourite printed midi skirts. I got it from HM a while ago but the shape and abstract patterns were still on the runway this season. God I love being on trend. I have been looking for a plain midi skirt though, so people don't notice when I wear it 3 times in the same week! 

SCUBA DUPA?

Is it just me, or are scuba skirts everywhere? For those of you who don’t know, scuba skirts are made of neoprene. This fabric is used to make scuba diving suits (get it?). It’s lightweight yet stiff material with a slight sheen to it.

In my search the perfect skater skirt for work, I have tried on about 5 scuba skirts. In theory, it would be perfect. The stiff material means you wouldn't need to iron the skirt, it would hardly loose its structure. It would even been desk proof: you could be sat down all day and there would be hardly any wrinkles. BUT, I wonder, is the fabric work appropriate?

I feel like the sheen in the fabric makes it more playful than professional. In an all-black ensemble, a scuba skirt would stick out against a cotton blazer or silky blouse because of its sheen and the difference in texture. I fell in love with a Whistles scuba skirt and tried it on three times in three different shops. But I came to the same conclusion: it’s not work appropriate (in my opinion). Sadly, my search for the skater skirt continues.

Image sources: www.meltyfashion.fr; www.stories.com; http://apairandasparediy.com/

WANTED THIS APRIL

Blue trousers - Hobbs (on sale!) // Blouse - Hobbs(on sale!) // Silk scarf by Bonana Van Mil  at Textile Federation // Black trousers - Mango // Skirt - Uniqlo // Shoes - Carvela Kurt Geiger (on sale!) // Bag - Florian London 

This month (like every month) my eye is on colour. And now silk scarves. We might be shifting into spring weather but the mornings are still cold. A large silk scarf would work throughout out the day with a light coat. I'm sharing one of my mum's old scarves with my sister. I wrap it round my neck during the cold walk to the train station so I'm nice and warm. Then on the way home I drape it round my neck in a 'nonchalant 'way (so I look like I don't care, when I really do). 

This month I featured heels. I don't wear heels to work because I like to be able to run if I have to. I feel more comfortable in flats too. But I think that the trousers in this month's list would look good with a bit of added height. 

SMART CASUAL OUTFIT 7

Jacket - Michael Kors Petite // Skirt - Topshop // Top - Vintage // Shoes - Clarks (sadly, sold out)

Yes, I wear designer. But only when someone else buys it for me - the jacket was a surprising gift from my Aunt. The beige and black pattern is a mild way of wearing prints in the office. The jacket originally had HUGE Jackie-O buttons which I ripped off to make it more youthful. It’s part of a matching dress/jacket combo, but that’s too ladylike for me right now.

Now THE SHOES. These beauties were on my wish list in December. And I finally got ‘em. I had to ring Clarks HQ and then 5 shops around London. Brogues are great for work wear. I like these so much that I only wear in the office. I don't wear most of my office shoes during my commute. In the morning, I put my office shoes in a shoe bag then put on a random pair of old ones for my journey to work. Is that weird? I think I'm preserving my smart shoes. Keeping them safe from fellow commuters who accidentally step on you because it's 7 am and they're half awake. I don't think it’s weird at all.