How to Make Fall Runway Trends Work at the Office
In her brief reflection on the looks and the general mood and trends presented on the runway during A/W Fashion Week, Anna Wintour provides a shrewd observation. She notes that, after a very long time, fashion has become incredibly inclusive, meaning that it’s inspired by street style, and designs are carried by women of different shapes, sizes and backgrounds. It is certainly a huge step forward. In the previous decades these collections were meant to be worn by the slender and the famous – after all, where would we, mere mortals be able to take the wearable art? It could be said that this year’s runways represent a turning point, and that things are certainly looking up in terms of fashion being all-encompassing.
One of the biggest issue with high fashion has always been the inability of to pull off the looks in real life, more specifically in the workplace. Luckily, this year’s runways have provided us with multitudes of office ready-to-wear options, and with some fine-tuning, we can finally be incredibly stylish without compromising the professional look.
The return of the pantsuit
The late 20th century, the time when women were finally acknowledged as a true presence in the workplace, gave birth to the ‘power suit’. The previous feminine looks were cast aside and a masculine approach to fashion was adopted, featuring broad-shouldered blazers and shoulder pads characteristic of the 1980s.
The suit has returned, and it has never been more stylish or versatile. From oversized jackets and straight leg pants to super-stylish high-rise pants and fitted blazers, every form of the suit is welcome. Aside from different cuts, we are now given the opportunity to leave the drab grays and uninspired blacks and adopt a more interesting, and at times, even slightly eclectic approach. The best part of rocking a pantsuit is that all you have to do is browse for some amazing women’s tops to pair up with your ensemble, and you are ready to walk out the door looking sleek, stylish and professional.
The power of red
While red may be the official color of Fall 2017, seeing the head-to-toe red looks presented by everyone from Dolce and Gabbana to Jill Sander make us question the wearability of the looks in real (corporate life). Wearing all red can definitely be a risky move and make you look like the red menace, but there is a subtle way to incorporate the trend into your regular office-wear and it involves a dress.
A long-sleeve fitted dress that goes just below the ankles is not only perfectly appropriate but a real power move. If you’re feeling extra bold, feel free to pair it with classic red pumps while keeping a certain sense of neutrality with a grey or beige coat.
Mad about plaid
The one look all stylish professionals can rejoice is the grand comeback of the checkered print – one that has probably been custom made to fit the office-wear description. The runways have given us an abundance of inspiration that doesn’t even require curation.
The oversized checkered jacket with a mini skirt to match would be perfect for a millennial working in a company with a more casual dress code. On the other hand, the fitted blazer with multitudes of buttons by Stella McCartney is appropriate and classy for any office and any age, and the same goes for the amazing menswear-inspired vest dress (sans the leather gloves).
Bring on the joy
The frilly pastels and their subtle florals have never been in good terms with the corporate world, but we have a sneaking suspicion that with the blooms becoming became bigger, murkier and bolder, the tides are definitely turning. The new floral is a perfect blend of power and femininity, and the dress that will blend and stand out in the office is definitely the full-skirt mid-calf dress.
The perfect accessory is definitely a pair of ankle boots and a solid tote in the same shade.
The risky safe
If red is the official color of fall, the glitter boots are the official footwear. However, glitter and workplace isn’t exactly a match made in heaven, and if you are drawn to them, the question is – how do you incorporate them in a way that won’t be over the top?
The answer is clear and it involves simplicity. Yes, keep the rest of your outfit neutral in inconspicuous and different shades of grey are perfect for the job. A classic gray pencil skirt or straight leg pants will convey ‘I’m a professional, especially if you top things off with a classic white button-down shirt. With an outfit of this variety, you can definitely afford to risk it with glitter boots and not be too much.
