Corporate wear (Back to school)
Hi Y'all! How are you doing?
It’s back-to-school time for my kids. My oldest just started college, and I have mixed feelings about it. As a (sometimes) helicopter mom, I accompanied him on his first day. Thankfully, he didn’t mind, and I wasn’t the only parent there! My second, on the other hand, as a typical teenager, insisted I stay home. “It’s embarrassing,” he said. It’s bittersweet because I remember how, just a few years ago, he clung to me on his first day of kindergarten. I knew he was ready to be independent, but watching his classmates cry definitely got him emotional.
Today, let’s talk about workwear. Over the past couple of years, I’ve been mostly working from home, which means most days, you’ll find me in either my pajamas or house clothes. In my country, “house clothes” usually refer to loose-fitting, Mumu-style dresses, often in bold prints and vibrant colors. They’re super comfortable and easy to move around in, and I’ve amassed quite the collection of them! On days when I know I’ll need to step out later, I’ll opt for "proper clothes," which usually means casual wear: a pair of jeans and a loose-fitting top.
When I go into the office, which is about twice a week, I stick to casual clothing as well. There is no strict dress code at work, so I can wear whatever I want, as long as it’s appropriate. I tend to prioritize comfort, wearing flats or orthopedic shoes—especially on days when I know I’ll be walking out for lunch. The only time I really dress up is when I have client meetings or to attend events.
This new lifestyle hasn’t given me many opportunities to enjoy my wardrobe fully. So, when I accompanied my son to his first day of college, I decided to dress up a bit. I chose a ankle length skirt I bought just before summer and paired it with a floral camisole and an open blazer. The skirt is one of those versatile pieces I knew I’d get plenty of wear out of—a straight, ankle-length skirt made from a crepe-lycra blend. One of the best things about it is that it barely needs ironing, and I know it’s a timeless piece that won’t go out of style.
Camisole and pumps - Numero Uno
I paired the skirt with a floral camisole and a lightweight open blazer. Loose blazers are my go-to whenever I want to dress up without much effort—they’re just so easy to throw on. However, I realized that most of my blazers are in prints, which are fun but not always the easiest to style. So, when I spotted this simple one at the store, I had to grab it. I even picked up the same blazer in brown because it’s such a versatile staple.
To finish the look, I added black leather pumps. Honestly, I can't even remember when I bought these shoes—I had completely forgotten about them! I had been searching for the perfect pair of black leather pumps for a while. Two years ago, I went shopping with a coworker, and she scored the most beautiful pair of black pumps. I wasn’t as lucky and, truth be told, I was a bit envious. I knew I needed my own pair. I must have picked up this one during the sales season of the shop.
For me, pumps instantly make any outfit look more polished and classy. I have quite a few pairs—silver glitter, gold, beige, yellow, and pink suede—but oddly enough, no black ones (unless you count my black slingbacks, of which I have several). So when I saw these pumps, I knew I had to get them.
I also have to admit, it’s not easy for me to find the right pair of pumps. Most of them feel a bit narrow for my feet, which makes them uncomfortable; and if I size up, they end up feeling too loose. It's always a bit of a struggle!
Stradivarius black slim heeled snakeskin pumps
Sadly though, as soon as I put the pumps on, I realized how hard it was to balance in them. The heels are way too skinny for me. I’ve never been great at walking in heels to begin with, and I struggled the entire morning—both walking and standing. By the time I made it to the office, I was so relieved to take them off. These shoes are definitely made for sitting (and taking cute pictures), not for walking!
Other than the shoe struggle, I loved the outfit. I felt dressed up yet very comfortable all day, which is always a win. I think I’ll definitely repeat this look, or some variation of it, in the future. In fact, I wore a similar version last week for a lunch with stakeholders. Moving forward, I want to make an effort to incorporate more corporate wear into my routine, at least on the days I go to the office. It would be a shame to have all these clothes and accessories just sitting in my closet because I work from home!
I also wrote an article on clothes to wear when attending a work event. Please read out bit by clicking here.
Comments