Lets be honest, office-friendly styles can get a tad bland and boring after awhile. Sure, a structured blazer, crisp white button down and tailored trousers are a winning combo, but when recycled time and time again the look becomes more of a uniform instead of fashion. Heading to the fashion glossies and Style Nine to Five are tried and true ways to gain fresh inspiration; however, taking a page out of your style crush’s fashion handbook can also spur some inventive office looks. From model “It girl” Gigi Hadid to bad gal pop star Rihanna, I’ve gathered a few work appropriate looks inspired by women with crush-worthy style.
Whether she’s sitting in the front row of a Christian Dior fashion show or on a casual stroll through Central Park with her adorable pup Mr. Butler, Olivia Palermo always looks nothing short of amazing. Even in the dead of winter—that time of the year when our sartorial efforts usually tend to get tossed aside in favour of oversized (and less than flattering) parkas—Olivia still manages to maintain her style-game with the chicest outerwear possible. Revive your winter workwear with (faux) fur and streamlined silhouette coats for a look inspired by your favourite NYC socialite.
The Bajan beauty simply known as Rihanna has proven that the CFDA Fashion Icon Award she received two years ago was well deserved—remember that Guo Pei canary yellow dress she wore to the 2015 Met Gala? Total show-stopping, jaw-dropping fashion moment of the century! Although I quite enjoy it when Rihanna switches gears and goes ultra-feminine with her sartorial choices, I think she looks best in streetwear outfits. Her collection of graphic tees is one to envy, but it’s also a great source of style inspiration. Inject your dull office attire with some bal gal style by bringing your weekend t-shirts into your workweek wardrobe. To pull this look off, pair a simple tee (read: shirts with no inappropriate imagery or language) with classic office staples, such as a blazer, tapered trousers and black pumps. Add pair of ear cuffs to dress-up the graphic tee and give the look a hint of that Rihanna edge.
Despite being a member of America’s most famous family, Kendall Jenner has evolved from mere reality TV star to model of the moment. While running between shows at fashion weeks around the globe it’s hard to miss her impeccable off-duty model style. If you have been crushing on Kendall’s fashion sense, the key to replicating her signature look is to wear an abundance of black. On numerous occasions the model has been photographed in all-black ensembles, which is quite easy to pull-off for the office if you remember to mix textures and add visual interest with bold colours or accessories. For a well-balanced all-black look, mix soft knit fabrics with a suede skirt, such as this Cremazi Skirt by Wilfred (pictured above).
In contrast to her BFF Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid veers on the lighter side when it comes to her style. She tends to wear a lot of neutral colours and is particularity fond of white pants. Although Gigi’s white distressed J Brand skinny jeans (pictured above) are a bit too casual for the office, you can get her signature California girl style by sporting some well-tailored white trousers. Instead of the skintight body suit and white sandal heels that Gigi wore, pair a light grey knit top and a nude pump with the pants for a more work-friendly outfit. Mix shades of grey and add a hint of colour throughout to avoid a gloomy look.
A few years ago Solange Knowles was most famous for being Queen B’s little sister, but times have certainly changed. With a collection for Puma under her belt and a constant presence at New York, Paris, London and Milan fashion weeks, Solange has emerged out of her sister’s shadow and blossomed into a true style star. Her eclectic style is all about mixing bold prints and vibrant colours. Add some Solange spice into your work attire by coupling an ordinary white blouse and black pumps with dainty and muted colour prints.
1. Unreal Fur Furry Floss Black Faux Fur Jacket, $180, available at Brand Outlet
2. Mango Wool Overcoat, $179
3. Mango Pockets Wool Coat
4. Zara Coat with Faux Fur Collar, $199
5. Talua Romilly Vest, $62.50 available at Aritzia
6. H&M Jacquard-weave Coat, $99
7. H&M Trousers, $29
8. With Chic Black Boyfriend Ponte Rolled Sleeves Blazer, $44
9. H&M Printed Jersey Top, $12
10. Designsix Crystal Petal Ear Cuffs, $23, available at ASOS
11. Aldo Thomasyn Shoe, $49
12. Vero Moda Long Sleeveless Vest, $69
13. Pretty Little Thing Delty Black Knitted Rib Turtle Neck Top
14. Wilfred Cremazie Skirt, $95, available at Aritzia
15. Call It Spring Abeasen Shoe, $27
16. Vero Moda F-VMGOIA Long Blazer, $30
17. Zara Cashmere Top, $89
18. H&M Wide Suit Trousers, $59
19. Forever 21 Faux Stone Pendant Necklace
20. Aldo Kessi Shoes, $100
21. TOPSHOP Tall Chevron Peg Trousers, £15
22. Vero Moda VMPIA Carol Quilted Blazer, $79
23. Joe Fresh Popover Tunic, $29
24. Nine West Jackpot Shoes, $110
Style inspiration image by By Diego Zuko, courtesy of Harpers Bazaar
(Photo cred: StyleBlazer; Charles Eshelman, courtesy of Glamour; Splash News, courtesy of Who What Wear; Xposure/AKM-GSI, courtesy of E! Online; Getty Images, courtesy of Daily Mail Online)
By Sasha Smith
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