What to wear on your first day of work

I’m starting a new job on Monday.  I’ll be the new kid on the block, at 42, that’s no mean feat.  I’ll be making friendly chit-chat and skulk out on my own at lunchtime.  I’ll have to ask where the loo is, how to make the coffee, what the kitchen etiquette is and how soon can I bring in my dog.  Yes sisters, you heard it here first, it’s a dog friendly workplace. Winning.

But I know that all of that will be a whisper in the wind by the end of the week, once I’ve worked with these awesome new people for a few days and I get the hang of the place.

What I am becoming super preoccupied with though, is what the hell do I wear?  It’s not a corporate, but I’ll be working with corporate clients, it’s not a big company, but I’ll be working with big companies.  It’s not shorts and jandles and it’s not suit and tie.  It’s the…..dum duh num dum……the inbetween.  Aggggggh (think 1950’s screen siren scream here).

Is anyone else like me and on their first day of school, a new job or a wedding and you absolutely have to purchase a new outfit?  Or is that just me?  Well, it is me, I have to own that.

So, I have a pair of Zara nautical styled (more on that style theme in another blog post soon) trousers I purchased in Sydney recently, that I haven’t worn.  I am having them taken up right now, cause I’d look like Groucho Marx if I didn’t.  But that’s as far as I’ve got.  Bugger.

I don’t want to go full nautical, corporate or too casual.  I am in a quandary.  My old clothes from corporate-ville are maybe a little too tired, but I only need a top,  now I have bottom half sorted.  So it’s a top, oh and some shoes.  I got my nails done last week by Pop Nails and they are fab-u-lous.  So that leaves me needing just a top and shoes, maybe some earrings.  Oh shit. Ok, breathe.

So, work with me sisters,  maybe I suck it up, wear a top I already have and then add some cool shoes.  Wanna know the shoes I’m trying to decide between?  You do? Ok, check these puppies out from Gorman and then these gorgeous ones from Kathryn Wilson.  Swoon much? But I can’t have both.  I have also been coveting these ones from Augustine, but they frustratingly sold out over the weekend.  I need to up my game, as I keep spying things I love and missing out by waiting too long.  Anyhoo, I digress.

What’s really exciting about starting a new job at this particular place and in an advertising and marketing environment means I can wear a T-shirt to work and it not be a major faux pas.  Call me crazy, but that is just beyond amazing.  I’m not talking simple T-Shirt and no bling.  I’m talking blinging that sucker out with a necklace and jacket and some mules and some other stuff and things, but just the mere thought of wearing the T-Shirt, with adornment, has got me all hot under the collar.  It probably means I should make more of an effort to find that elusive perfect white T  that I’ve been hunting for then shouldn’t I.

So wish me luck sisters, the ideas could all change tomorrow, but I reckon I am pretty darn excited for what I have in store for me in this new role.  I can’t wait to learn new stuff, meet new people and get some serious shit done.  I am chomping at the bit.  It’ll make for some exciting satorial adventures again too.

If you want to see the whole look come together, make sure you follow me on instagram @sisterhoodofstylenz and check out my Monday morning post.

And sisters, remember, if you need help styling YOUR first day of work at a new job, contact me today to book a styling session,  I would love to work wtih you.  Email me at emma@sisterhoodofstyle.com today.

Mmmmmwah, love EJ, the mother of the sisterhood of style xo

The Transition Mission – what to wear when the weather won’t play nice.

It’s Spring, no it’s summer, fark, it’s a throw back to biblical times with a flood and a rain storm like no other.  What the hell do I wear?

Yes sisters, ’tis the season of the transition mission.  That weird time at the beginning of Spring, when you get all hot under the collar for cutoffs and bikinis at the first hint of sun that warms you, but are thoroughly disappointed by its lack of committment.

So to save you the hassle of figuring it out, I came up with a quick fire list of my top five, trans-season, transition mission, Spring/Summer wardrobe staples.  You likely already have them in your wardrobe, but if you insist on investing, consider buying high-end, quality stuff (your country of origin/locally made if you really want to fly the flag) and have them in your wardrobe for longer than just this season.  That way, when Spring/Summer rolls around next year – funny how it does this annually but we always get caught out – then you have at least two of these options to tide you over. This quick-list of my 5 best options can be mixed and matched for daytime to nighttime looks and for casual to work-wear.

Jeans – seems obvious, but these are the staple you need all year around.  If you are trying to update the ones you have, check out the the look du jour 2016 in jeans which are often distressed (not depressed) with rips and a boyfriend cut.  There’s also a new cut called the girlfriend jean, think a little tighter than the boyfriend, cropped in the leg and, according to Marie Claire, with a more flattering  leaner silhouette than the boyfriend.  These baggier jeans look great with a t-shirt or shirt worn tucked but slouchy.  Team it with trainers for a relaxed look or this season’s hot shoe trend – the mule, for a more glam look.

Kaftan/kimono or sleeveless vest – the kaftan is a great layering option, soft and floaty and goes great over a sleeveless top or a long sleeve T-Shirt – which means it really is a transition mission star.  My personal fav kimonos are from Augustine and I see that they have re-issued the style that I love (and have two of) again for this new drop, in different colours.   A sleeveless coat is also a great spring and autumnal wonder-number.  I reckon they streamline your figure and a camel one that my friend purchased from Storm the other day, looked amazing over white, mixed with denim.  These two looks offer very different styles, but they essentially provide the same service – coverage and an extra layer while the weather acts like a turd.

Heeled Sandals /open toe wedges/clogs or mules. Some of these options will likely  be a part of your wardrobe already, because they are easily a summer staple too.  But if they’re not, consider investing.  I’m talking open toe, sandal, clog or mule. Check out Kathyrn Wilson, there are a tonne to choose from here.  Anything with a heel (this is essential in this inclement weather to keep your feet and the bottom of your trousers, dry for when the weather turns bat shit crazy.   Surely the look of the shoe season in 2016, is the mule. I wore them back in the early noughties, and just like Carly Simon sang, they’re “coming around again”.  My pick for mules are these Gucci look-a-likes, divine but for a very affordable price.  I don’t think you don’t have to be an early adopter for this look, but it may be worth hunting around for some, cause they are likely to be lingering for seasons to come.

Maxi and Midi Skirts – these perennial darlings are awesome.  I kept holding out for a Spell leopard print maxi skirt number and when I finally saved up and went to hit purchase, they had sold out :-(. But I will keep looking for one, just like I will for that elusive perfect white T-Shirt. But if leopard print ain’t your thang, have no fear, there are a stack of great looking maxi and midi skirts in all the prints in the shops at the moment.  Another favourite of mine, but I’m not convinced they suit my hips, are the pleated skirts that are showing up everywhere.  A longer line skirt (this one is from Ruby) for this transitional season means that you can easily forego stockings and not have to drown in fake tan by showing your lily whites just yet.

Culottes – I haven’t gone here yet, but man, am I tempted.  They are divine to look at and I always get a little fan girly when I see a sister rocking a pair.  I’ve spied these choice ones from Kowtow – with a cute paper-bag waist to boot.  The culotte can look like a skirt, but with the versatility of a pant.  It has the coverage for the transition mission, but not so much you feel swamped if it gets hot.  If you’re worried about them chopping you off at the calf, then wear them with a wedge or heel to give you height.

Hoping these options are helpful in keeping you dressed for success this weird and wacky season.  So come on sisters, share your style suggestions for Spring with the sisterhood, I’d love to hear your magic ideas.  And if you need some styling help, please get in touch with me, I’d love to help xx

Mmmmmwah, EJ, the mother of the sisterhood.  x emma@sisterhoodofstyle.com