I love 2010! The summer is gorgeous, the air is filled with the sweet scent of muraya, the beach is close and the water warm. I've just had two weeks of doing not much at all. Today I've hung up my consultancy shingle after 6 years running my own business and started a new executive role in the city. I'm sure the glow of summer will fade as quickly as my fake tan, but today I'm excited.
One of the upsides (and downsides) of a work from home consultancy is that you often find yourself working in your pyjamas at midday or at midnight. I have very few corporate clothes because I wore the same few suits (black and boring) to all my meetings.
Pyjamas won't pass muster at the new workplace so I am now focussing my sewing on 'corporate wardrobe builders'.
My first effort is BWOF March 09/111 a jacket which I felt so comfortable wearing today. For a summer jacket I didn't both with the lining and used a combination of Hong Kong and felled seams. I included self covered shoulder pads. It is made from a crushed polyester normally used for parkas. Perhaps not the best fabric for an unlined jacket worn in the Sydney summer, but it has a nice relaxed feel while still looking 'managerial'. I wore it with a khaki coloured jersey singlet and drill cotton khaki skirt. Note that I am strongly resisting a return to my old corporate uniform of black suits with white blouses.
Which is a good seque into my next completed item, a hybrid of BWOF May 09 dress 125 and 126. Husband suggests that I should "strongly reconsider" wearing this to the office. He doesn't like the fabric. Personally, I rather like it. It fits very well and feels comfortable. My eldest DD whose fashion opinions I trust is away, so what do you think? Should I? Be honest, I will not be offended.
I love it! I would happily wear it in an office enviornment...
ReplyDeleteGuau! It like me a lot. It's wonderful! congratulations!
ReplyDeleteIt's really beautiful. Maybe a bit loud for the first day in the office, but if after a few days, it's apparent that not everyone wears a suit every day, I say go for it.
ReplyDeleteVery Australian. Bright water colours and summer sunsets.Of course it is appropriate !
ReplyDeleteFabulous! If you wanted to tone it down a bit, a solid colored blazer would ramp up the "corporate" feel. Congratulations on the new job!
ReplyDeleteThe dress is wonderful and I think would be fine for the office. A belted cardigan would change the look of it, too. Great job on all the sewing.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new job. I hope you enjoy it. I love your jacket. Very nice. Pretty, bright colored dress too.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new venture and lovely jacket. I think the dress would work well in the office... so go for it.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! Bringing some colour into that business-world. I think it's a beautiful dress and after all, it ís summer where you live. But if you feel hesitant then maybe check the office a few days to feel the 'fashionvibe' first. But if you choose to wear it you'll look great anyway, so you can't actually go wrong.
ReplyDeleteThe jacket looks great too, by the way!
Good luck with your new job!
Congrats on your new endeavor! I love the jacket and dress! I think the dress is beautiful and would work in the office.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new job. I love the jacket and think that the dress is gorgeous. Personally, I love the print fabric and I think the dress will look good anywhere! Wear it with pride.
ReplyDeleteGo for it! It's happy and happening! Congrats on your new job - hope it all works out well.
ReplyDeleteDo not listen to your husband. If I listened to mine I'd be dressed in beige all the time and when I wasn't in beige I'd be in an inappropriate midriff exposing black stretchy thing of the kind that only looks good on Thai bargirls. The dress is gorgeous and I would be happy to wear it any time. I love the belt with it. Think of the fun you could have by changing shoes. I have a red pair and a purple pair that would go well with it. Congratulations on the new job. Now you can have paid holidays.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck at your new job! Personally, I think the dress looks very classy - I mean, it's a shirtwaist dress! It's a classic shape. I like the belt, too. Mags always say a look can be dressed up or down with accessories - perhaps top it with a tan cardi and neutral heels for the office (but bright ones afterwards)!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a suit jacket in parka material. So creative!
Breakaway from the dark colours I say! I think the dress looks great. The fact that it is collared and had a belt makes it easily transferrable into office wear.
ReplyDeleteVery conservative cut, which balances the bold printed fabric. Net effect = office-ready. ;) Congratulations and good luck! You're amazing!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new job! I agree with the others that it is probably a perfect dress for your second week. The cut is very conservative and you might find that others like colorful prints, as well.
ReplyDeleteI love that dress. The fabric is gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, I am rather known for wearing loud fabrics! I guess that means I am not the one to give my opinion!! It is cute, maybe wait a day or so and feel out the environment!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new job! I think the dress would be great for work, so I agree with the others and think you should wear it :)
ReplyDeleteI love the jacket. What a great colour. As for the dress. it is very pretty but my daughter who works at the House of Commons in Ottawa recently told me"Don't make me too many bright print outfits. You just don't dress that way downtown"But I guess the best way to gauge what to wear is to observe how others in your work environment dress. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteThank you for so often stopping by my blog and leaving comments. I really appreciate it.
What would husbands know? Most of them think that switching a blue shirt for a white one is mixing it up in the office! I love this dress, but if it is too bright for your office you could always tone it down with a neutral jacket over it, maybe 3/4 sleeve for a Sydney summer?
ReplyDeleteOMG - I love that dress! Where did you get that fabric? Your hubby sounds like mine ... if it's not tan, blue or gray it's too flashy. Silly boy, he now knows I'm the one with the fashion sense.
ReplyDeleteI love both of these pieces. Enjoy wearing them!
I say wear the dress! It is great that you are determined not to fall into the boring black suit uniform. Congrats on your new job. I love your red jacket. Good luck with those blouses.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'll be the conservative voice here. There is no doubt that this is a classic style, perfectly fit. But as for office appropriateness, it depends entirely on what kind of office you work in. The fabric is a touch, ah, "energetic" for most office environments. If you work in a law firm, accounting firm, or other fuddy duddy atmosphere, then the answer would be definitely not. For other office environments, I wouldn't do it unless you tame it with plain heels and a neutral, solid color jacket such as camel or brown. Even then, the jacket is likely to come off during the day, making this kind of a borderline call. Make sure you're wearing the jacket to all staff meetings and client meetings to tone down the look.
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