Workwear Chatty Part 3 - theworkwearedit blog

[Littlepinkpear]

Starting thread 3 already! Who knew we could make it to 2000 posts on pencil skirts and sensible footwear

Presumably women are spending the same % of income on clothes, but that now can buy so many more clothes than before? And women, in general, favour quantity over quality? I do, to a point. I like the options and variety a large wardrobe gives me. Although really need to start operating, like you, Bearleigh, on a one in, one out, basis.

Yes, last time I went back, clothes were still more expensive, and there weren't good, affordable high street chains like we have here.

Re junior staff buying Prada bags, I think this is where the subtle workplace hierarchies operate? I read another article which mentioned this situation, saying you need to both earn your designer bags ie if you have them straight out of school, it indicates rich parents, boyfriend etc - you need to earn the money for them yourself. However, in addition, it may be that it's better to stick to bags etc less "showy" than your boss's?

I find all of this quite fascinating, in case it wasn't obv. Fashion meets psychology = gold.

Just picked up this in the sale, drapes and skims the tum and a bargain to boot

Nice dress Merriboo! I agree the psychology of clothing is interesting Belinda, and the more you dig the more fascinating it is.

I do recommend one in/one out. It does make me check that what I am buying makes a positive difference, and this year I have bought fewer, but more special clothes - usually, but not always, more expensive than what I have bought in the past few years.

When I started working I used to buy fewer more expensive things but these days I am not so sure that paying more always ensures much better quality and more special clothes (Jaeger & J Crew I'm looking at you, as well as most fancy handbags). But sometimes I think it does - Joseph, Agnès B, Margaret Howell, Paul Smith.

Agree re one in/one out - I do the same with books too.

Don't understand the work bag thing at all. I am fairly high up in the pecking order at work but it wouldn't enter my head to judge myself or anybody else by the bag I/they carry. I think I'm being stylish if it's something other than a Waitrose carrier bag tbh! :)

So, re one in, one out, do you choose the outgoing item, then buy a new one, or buy new and can only keep if you get rid of something?

Remus - maybe you are just too nice to care what others have? I don't think it's a positive that there is such a hierarchy / attitude, but it's pretty interesting to read about (a survey was done. Clipboards and everything).

Who was asking about cardis? How about that hybrid animal, the unstructured blazer - where cardi and jacket meet in the middle? My new Zara Chanel inspired navy and black one is one such item.

That dress is lovely Merriboo, saw it recently and really liked it.

I always assume designer handbags are fake...unless the person carrying it is appropriately dressed or in their 40s.
By designer I mean Mulberry, Balenciaga etc rather than DKNY.

Far to many Mulberry handbags on the train to work for them to all to be real.

I'm totally handbag oblivious I notice shoes and clothes but handbags I notice very rarely

Haha re fake bags: I agree about not judging by bags Remus. I don't either. I hadn't really thought that some of the bags I see must be fakes, but of course you're right. I had just assumed their owners were a bit daft to pay all that for a smart bag (showing a Prada or Mulberry label) and not make sure the rest matches up.

It's in bags that I find the most interesting psychology. About 10-15 years ago someone started making bags desirable items by naming them and giving them to celebrities and putting up the prices, and some people go for it. Hermès had started it of course, years ago, but having been to the Hermès exhibition a couple of years ago and seen them making the bags, I can sort of understand where the prices come from. But not a Mulberry bag made in almost slave conditions in China out of not very good leather.

Belinda I do consider the likely one out when I am buying, and then look at it again when I get home. Sometimes I decide to keep what I already have if the new one doesn't make enough of a difference. A friend got into a bind once and had 25 black cardigans...

I am 25 Breton Top Woman. I love a stripe. Black trousers for work, same.

I never get the Mulberry bag, head to toe Primark look. Especially when a Bayswater is £1250 these days. It looks daft. It also looks very unprofessional when paired up with scruffy ballet flats.

Although maternity leave has let me sort through a lot, bin/donate loads and I'm now finally filling eBay with things. Perhaps one in one out needs to be my new mantra. One in one out for shoes! I'm not sure I could do it

It was me asking about the cardigans. Thanks for the tip, I actually bought a jersey blazer in the Boden sale and will see how I get on with that, but it looks like it could be a useful in-between solution.

Interesting with the "dressing like your boss" thing. I think it must vary depending on industry - if I did that I would be wearing beige cords with a checked shirt which isn't really my look. Having said that, the people here who look as thought they want to get into higher management tend to dress a little smarter than average.

I really like the cardi-blazer hybrid Belinda. Love that Zara one. But I don't work in a suited atmosphere, it's pretty much whatever you like. I choose smart casual. The hybrid is a perfect match.

I'm not really a designer bag person. I have a few but my cheapies get at least as much wear. My pet hate is obvious logos. Either the bag is nice or not, why the need for obvious branding.

Please don't get me started on branding and logos.

I think junior staff are more likely to buy branded bags because they often have more disposable income and buy into that celebrity brand thing. If you are living with your parents with no children, your salary goes a lot further than paying off a mortgage!

Also I don't think anyone buys them at full price - people go to Outlet stores or wait for sales.

And since we're on the designer handbag thing, the flipping weight of most of them! I do understand the good quality leather and hardware etc but surely there's a happy medium. I have one in particular and it's like carrying a suitcase around. Just too heavy.

I thought that maybe I would like to save up for a Lady Dior handbag. The chain actually makes it quite heavy.

At the, err, lower end of the price scale is this rather fab, fierce bag that I challenge anyone to actually be able to carry around all day. www.zara.com/uk/en/collection-aw14/woman/handbags/crocodile-pattern-leather-city-bag-with-chain-c269200p2151082.html

Ha ha cardiCorgi re wearing beige cords and a check shirt. How chic . I also noticed that the people who are ambitious to get ahead, often include their wardrobe in their focus and ensure they always look well dressed.

I'm a fan of the hybrid, too, and enjoyed wearing my Zara blardi last week. Jigsaw do a beautiful one, too, but its £170.

Interesting comments up thread, too, from Bearleigh re the correlation (or lack of) between price and quality. That's one of the most disappointing aspects of shopping - when you feel you have made an investment, and the quality just isn't there.

Also, Bearleigh - did you read the Deluxe: How Luxury Lost its Lustre book? I think FrugalFashionista recommended it? I bought it and read bits. Very enlightening book, and I don't think you are the same consumer after reading a book like that, as you were before.

Blardi!
I've been watching that bag Belinda!! It's lovely and I am so so tempted. Is it heavy or difficult to carry?

I love how that bag looks, its oh so Chanel for less. But its taking hefty to a new level. Very heavy. I think its the chains? Which does make sense. Maybe it just adds to your toughness to be able to carry that? Which, obv you would wear w your blardi

I need more Blardis in my life

At our place you can tel the ones who are really ambitious by the fact that they wear full-on suits (often a bit too tight). We have a fairly formal dress code but not that much and I think it looks a bit try-hard, though I suppose the counter argument is that it's an easy 'uniform' and takes no mixing and matching in the mornings.

I miss the days of very formal, it was so simple to pull together a weeks worth of outfits as it was so strict. I don't miss the dry cleaning bills and hot days in a suit though.

Gap have 20% off today if anyone didn't get the email - code is GAPTREAT

I have been looking for a tan handbag and spotted this modalu little bargain at Asos. I don't know if I actually like it and I think I am looking for something more casual but I am very swayed by the price. I thought you might like to have a look.

Margarita that Modalu bag looks rather cheap to me. It's mostly due to the colour, which in the photo on my iPad looks rather garish. It doesn't look £200: perhaps the reduced price is the 'real' price?

I am increasingly cynical about pricing in some places and the number of 40% off everything sales we get. Gap for example suddenly shot up in price but introduced such sales. Anyone else noticed this?

Belinda I haven't read that book, and have ordered it from the library - thanks for the tip! I like the Zara bag: very like a Stella McCartney one I dissuaded a friend from spending £400 on, a couple of years ago. I can imagine it drooping sadly in the middle when it has a few things in it, with all those chains.

I tend to think that about most sale prices, tbh. But I do agree about the bag.