Work Wear
At FCaNK we want to help you feel professional and confident whatever the mode of dress at your work place. In this section we look at how you might throw together work outfits cheaply without looking like a telesales operator.
Because Jeans are our staple clothing , when we are forced into a work setting and we can't wear them, we sometimes lose all our imagination and fall back on drawstring black trousers and a v. neck, ultra boring t.shirt. Although this work uniform is unoffensive, it will not win you any style points. There are some simple ways to add a touch of the FCaNK effect without giving the wrong impression.
Work Place No No's
Sparkly sandals are appropriate for a night out, but not for day wear in the office. These make you look silly and out of place. If you haven't got a pair of heeled sandals that are suitable for the office, change your outfit but don't ever think your occasion wear strappies will do!
The country casuals look. Once again, this places you completely out of context and people think they should be snuggling up next to you by the fire rather than taking anything that you have got to say seriously.
Inappropriate jewellery. Personally, I think you can use statement jewellery to your advantage to add a sense of bravery and finesse. I would go for bold necklace statements rather than huge earrings. If you are in a trendy media company however, the more wacky the earrings..the better.
Don't take yourself so seriously that you look scary. Personally I love to add a touch of my own interest to anything I wear, even if I am wearing a trouser suit and starched white shirt. Adding a wide belt over a fine knit jumper to cinch you in at the waist can add a touch of interest. If you haven't yet invested in an interesting, investment, silver bangle...now is the time to do it. To a shift dress, you might add a vintage brooch or a bow brooch in a complimentary colour.
Avoid flowery corsage designs on jackets ...too much like occasion wear..make you look cheap.
Have fun with all black outfits Add some bold accessories to add to the drama of an all black outfit.
Work Place Tips
A bag can say a lot about you and a cheaper end suit can hide behind it. Invest in a decent handbag as soon as you graduate! Mulberry bags are delightful but there are plenty of great Totes out there. The first place you should look for a No Knickers tote is Kate Kanzier...they are delightful!
In our opinion, Donna Karan is the most enlightened designer for women's work wear . Even if you cannot afford her work, have a look at her website for some workwear inspiration. (Particularly in her 'Fall' collection.)
Moschino are also brilliant at intelligent designs for women at work.
The cheaper the suit, the darker it should be. Black can hide the quality of a garment very well.
Look carefully at the hemming on trouser legs. They should hang straight not wobbly. Bad hems can be a big No Knickers give away.
A pair of heeled work shoes don't have to be really, stupidly expensive. There are plenty of gorgeous options out there.
Cardigans are incredibly useful and can also add to your casual wardrobe. For this reason it is worth spending a bit more on them. Having said that, Primark have some fabulous 100% cotton cardigans for the summer £3+...ridiculous!
FCaNK Recommends
Fur Coat Work Heels
Moschino...unbelievable; fabulous but professional shoe wear
LK BENNETT £90 + Obviously classic and will last for decades
Hobbs £90 very classic..sometimes too classic
Kew £70 great for T Bars
Dune £60+ Cute and classic designs with good quality leather
M&S heels £35+ decent substitutes for a clssic look. Sizing might be a problem with the width.
Fur Coat suits
I think everyone who works in a suited world, day in and day out, needs to spend rather a lot of money on their suits. I am afraid there is no avoiding it.
At the top end of the High Street, Jigsaw will kit you out head to foot for an interview or for first day of new job and will suggest accessories and complimentary colours that aren't too heavy for the work environment. A work outfit from here will cost £300+ but will be money well spent, if you feel sassy and confident in your work setting.
LK Bennett are classic and hard wearing £200 for a suit
Jesire, has concessions across the country and their designs have touches of vintage cuteness about them, whilst being great quality and appropriate for a work context. Knitwear £125+ trousers are better value at £80
Massimo Dutti £190+ for a 1o0% viscose suit
Reiss £158+ great styling
Fenn Wright Manson £240+
Hobbs £270
No Knickers Suits
Dorothy Perkins have been expanding their work wear collections with pencil skirts and tailored waistcoats in a number of colour ways. Suits £50+. Good value just follow the polyester rule and watch out for cheap buttons, you may need to sew some of your own on yourself.
Next also have some great basics that are well cut. Resist the temptation to buy shirts and accessories from Next as well, remember the mix and match rule and spend a bit more on an interesting shirt and glam shoes and handbag.
M&S produce some good quality, good value basics. We like Limited Edition and suggest that Per Una should be avoided at all cost.
Zara £60+ great tailoring, watch out for skinny sizes. The trousers should fall from the hip without any strange creasing round the bottom or thighs.
Espirit have some good quality, fairly dull but good quality suits for £95+ these are great for a first suit, decent quality whilst not being too expensive ...go get girls!
Gap the suits are very casual on the whole, but shirts are often great for work and have touches of interest. Just be careful that you are not dressing down a formal suit with a casual shirt because the two can sometimes look incongruous.
The Shift Dress
As you know at FCaNK we are devotees of the shift dress, they are great value for money and a little more stylish. There are some very cheap options out there.
Moschino..some gorgeous feminine shift dress designs at Fur Coat Prices
Bhs £25+ Simple, yet effective
Dorothy Perkins £30+
Zara £45+ Watch out for collars and wasitlines, they can sometimes be a bit wobbly.
M&S £39+
Knitted Shift Dresses
Jigsaw £90 For a substantial knitted article that will wear well long term
Whistles £90 + quirky style...maybe too quirky for your work setting...only for you to decide
Boden £70+ great colourways and good quality
Kew £60+..always check the label..remember Angora can pill very badly
Gap £ 45+ colours cna be a bit bleak and dreary
Primark£18+ These fly off the shelves so buy immediately! Remember to choose dark colours to hide poor quality.
Refer to our dresses section for more glamorous ideas for work!
Work wear for a casual setting
Black jeans are a must! They are a wonderful, comfortable compromise. High heeled boots and black jeans with a short jacket can look professional but relaxed. Black jeans can also provide a good foil for a boyfriend/ blazer jacket and a lace/frilly shirt, or simple with a shirt and waistcoat.
A wrap dress can be both casual or more formal depending on the boots or shoes you wear with it.
A great summer look in a casual work setting is a shirt dress with a wedge and statement jewellery for the summer can be enough to give a nod of professionalism and some FCaNK chic. All we would suggest is that you consider whether you have fat knees or not..shirt dresses often look better with skinny knees..much to my despair!
A bright coloured shoe is very appropriate for a trendy, casual company and can add a touch of irony to a regular work oufit. Cara shoes are excellent value and fun £40+ . They can provide a cheap alternative to Office shoes. At the upper end of the high street Irregular Choice have some very cute and unusual designs that we think would add a touch of funk for a trendy work environment! You would definitely win points for unique chic wearing these designs....we love them!
In Summary
Work wear need not be dull and staid..have a little bit of fun with your work wear wardrobe.
Buy a couple of work dresses...when you get up at 6am, you don't want to worry about separates.
Accessorise appropriately - be bold and powerful and choose some power hungry belts ....if that's your thing!
Avoid sparkling like a princess with your accessories. Ssave that for the dance floor!
If you are in a formal suited environment, then a Fur Coat suit is a must.
When buying high heels, make sure they have the internal platform to support your foot.
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