I am in a much better mood when I like what I am wearing!
Working in corporate where I travel a little, interact with customers and also internal stakeholders – staff, my peers, the executives, I always try and look my best but at the same time not be too over the top and uncomfortable. We have many internal stairs in our office, and some of my catch-up with staff/peers involve walks around the block, so I need to make sure my outfits (and shoes) are adaptive to any type of meeting or situation.
When I first started working in corporate 16 years ago, I used to spend a lot of money on suits and corporate shirts. I still have most of them taking up an enormous part of my wardrobe! The organisation I worked for at the time was also very corporate and so were its customers – so suiting up suited the environment and I totally think that should be the case, you have to be comfortable but also relatable. I must say I loved wearing suits and I still love wearing shirts!
Today working in a semi corporate environment, a very large and grown up tech business, most people dress in jeans or very casual / flats, runners and I have seen thongs (not often though). Whilst I could dress the same as most, I do not, this is my choice and it totally is a representation of who I am. Although I do find myself wearing more pant outfits these days, and less skirts. This too, also comes and goes in phases.
I love clothes, fashion, and looking a bit different to what I look like on the weekends / casual environments, makes me feel like I am in a work mode, not to mention it makes me feel good.
I spend time the night before choosing my outfit for the next day, I have everything laid out, and so there is no thinking in the morning regarding what I am wearing. I do the same with the kid’s clothes and always have. Mornings are so hectic in our household and I find this can limit some of the stress for all of us and allow us to focus on breakfast and getting out the door on time.
I do not have a huge number of pieces but I like to mix and match a lot, and also splash my wardrobe with something new every couple of weeks, whether it is a pair of pants, skirt, top, shoes or jacket. I also change the look with a staple belt and sometimes some different earrings. I am also fortunate enough to share a wardrobe with my twin sister, so if I am feeling a bit bored, this helps mix it up a bit too. My favourite places to shop for work are Witchery, Cue, Bonnie Park (local in Balwyn) and Zara, and all my shopping is done online using shopbop and the iconic.
These are some of my favourites from the last 6 weeks.
Petra xxx
The Corporate Mum Petra 