Dressed in 60 seconds: quick workwear fixes for autumn
From the perfect office-friendly dress to outfit-elevating earrings, think high-impact, low effort
Forget the first of January – for anyone looking for a chance to start again, September is the time to do it. Without a doubt, the ninth month of the year brings with it buckets of opportunity when it comes to gaining fresh perspective. The back-to-school mood in the air is as intoxicating as any New Year’s resolution.
It’s this optimism that makes the first whisper of autumn the perfect time to reconsider the way you get dressed for work. With a focus on highly efficient time management – see outfits you can fling on in 10 seconds and still feel good in 10 hours later – here’s a guide to making office-proof style statements that will work as hard as you do.
Dress and go
You’ve dashed around the shower, endured an Oscar-worthy tantrum from a two-year-old and inexplicably managed to smear mascara across your chin. Now, with just 10 minutes to go until your train leaves, it’s time to get dressed. What do you reach for? The eight-till-late dress is your friend. Cut below the knee with a long or half-length sleeve, it’s a high-impact, low-input solution. The most dynamic of eight-till-lates are loose in silhouette and are as effective worn with a flat pair of boots as they are with a low block heel. Just fling it on and run – no mirror time required.
Blazer, shorts, boots, from a selection, John Lewis & Partners; blouse, £65, AND/OR
It’s a match
The trouser suit is going nowhere for autumn, with two-pieces in punchy shades now as ubiquitous as a great pair of jeans. And here’s why: on days when you want to feel polished without putting the time in, the trouser suit comes into its own. Take the time to find one that works for you – a trouser with a bit of slouch and a jacket in a masculine cut are the easiest to shop for this season – and invest in some good base layers. A white crew-neck T-shirt makes a fine accompaniment.
All for one
The jumpsuit is your wardrobe weapon. Not least because – save for tracksuit bottoms – it’s the most comfortable item in your wardrobe. For hectic days which feature to-do lists as long as a Tolstoy novel, the jumpsuit is your go-to. The most straightforward styles are boiler suits: wear with flat pumps or box-fresh white trainers. Those after something softer could try an apron-front style layered over a classic white T-shirt. Simplicity is everything.
Double impact
No matter how many fail-safe dresses and perfectly pitched trouser suits you have in your workwear arsenal, there will always be days when nothing feels quite right. This is when statement earrings come into their own. The right pair have the power to lift your look, so add a couple of dynamic options to your collection. A pair of supersized hoops look great with denim and a cashmere sweater, while abstract ones add a playful edge to a low-key black dress.
Main image: blazer, from a selection, Jaeger; top, £45, John Lewis & Partners
