styling ideas

Outfit of the Week: A Cool Spin on a Skirt Suit

Photo: Prakash Shroff

When it comes to dressing like a boss, it can feel like you have no room for creativity, especially if you work in a conservative environment. You might not be able to roll in in a fringed Céline dress on Monday morning, but you can take a note from the likes of Phoebe Philo and play around with proportion and subtle details. In this case, it’s taking a modest midi-length skirt suit, adding a white top that isn’t your typical button-down, and leaving the shirt untucked. While this exact Whistles top sold out, you can achieve the same styling trick with their Ally side-belt top (if you prefer an interesting waist detail) or Anna poplin shirt (if you want a long layering piece). It’s just different enough to break out of the work-clothes rut without interfering with unspoken workplace dress codes.

Then, to finish it off, keep the rest of your accessories classic. You can splurge on a nice navy tote and good black pumps, but you probably already own something similar in your closet. If you’re on the hunt for something similar at a lower price point, try this Zara tote and these Banana Republic heels.

Photo: Prakash Shroff

Whistles Melissa top, for similar, try Anna ultimate poplin shirt, $180 at Whistles, or Ally side-belt top, $210 at Whistles; Theory Dief Calvary blazer, $445 at Saks Fifth Avenue; Theory Ildiko skirt, $265 at Theory; Gianvito Rossi leather pumps, $640 at Net-a-Porter; Longchamp Roseau Héritage tote bag, $1,035 at Longchamp.

Photographer, Prakash Shroff; styling, Diana Tsui; model, Mari Agory at Muse Management; makeup, William Scott; hair, Takashi Ashizawa using Oribe Hair Care; photo editor, Emily Shornick; photo assistant, Brian Bee.

Outfit of the Week: A Cool Spin on a Skirt Suit