Silly Little Outfits To Boost Serotonin For Sad Office Days Vol.1

WFH is the hill I will die on but the office has a decent mirror for outfit pics

April in Melbourne means cold weather and vodka martinis at Bar Margaux if I manage to drag myself out of bed. On the occasions that I do, this is what I’ve been wearing.

The Investment Pieces

A trend in my purchasing behavior is buying something special around once a year, that I will wear forever, though this will probably stop as I’m about to own an apartment. Popping up in the outfit rotation this week and probably for the rest of my life (costs per wear, amiright?) is the Acne Studios biker jacket. This broke the bank, but after months of searching for the perfect oversized, worn-in leather jacket without too much fussy hardware and several wines at Tippo, I tripped and fell into Acne’s Bourke Street store and came out with a jacket that was probably triple my rent. It was the kind of love at first sight that made me realize then and there that this is what I want to be buried in and I have no regrets.

The next piece I want to highlight is an old Dries Van Noten men’s sweater I got from the Antwerp flagship back in 2014. I was thinking of selling it as, for some unfathomable reason, there is so much navy in my wardrobe (why? do I even wear that much navy?). Then news broke that Dries was stepping down from his namesake house. LYST soon reported that following the announcement, it became the most searched-for brand on the platform. I could potentially flip it for a profit, but now I own a piece of history that I just can’t bear to part with it right now.

Finally, the Prada Loafers. In 2022, I thought an AMEX would be a good idea for the flight points. Spoiler alert: I didn’t use it for the flight points; I used it for Selfridges. I’m styling the Prada loafers here with $5 Temu sheer tights (that’s $5 for a five-pack), which is probably a sin but I wanted some warmth and to feel like an Office Siren.

Second-Handies

Outside of the occasional investment purchase, I don’t buy a lot of new stuff. Second-hand is magical for finding archival pieces. A lot of inspiration for how I like to dress comes from what real people are wearing, so why not shop from their wardrobes? The Telfar bag was a pre-loved purchase during the 2021 lockdowns as I don’t really have a bag for work. As much as I love it, I would like to mix it up with something else and have had this Marni tote on my Farfetch wishlist for about two years (hi Joelie, if you’re reading this. I know you are, I made you proofread).

The jeans I’m wearing with the Heron Preston top that’s showing way too much nipple are from an amazing Melbourne label called KAHE. They specialize in made-to-order denim, though I got these on Depop that fortunately fit. I love super slouchy denim and the seam that goes around the butt is a bonus.

I’m really into dresses and skirts-over-pants at the moment, and this strapless tunic top from St Agni. (shoutout to another Aussie brand) was another dream find on Depop. I don’t believe minimalism has to be boring, so classic pieces with structure and texture will always be a win. I styled them with a pair of silk trousers from By Malene Birger, which are also second-hand - they were gifted to me by someone at work when I first moved to London, and I wear them with everything. Unfortunately, I tripped and they got caught in my shoes and are now in the pile of things needing repair. Tragic.

Fast Fashion

I try and stick to preloved clothes, not because I’m overtly environmentally conscious or anything. But because fast fashion is actual garbage, and not haute garbage (shameless plug). Recently, Zara has been bursting with so many things that are up my alley. The tailoring! The red! And then you try it on and realize that it fits for shit. Why are all the sleeves always so long? Why make the most delicious pair of grey trousers with a skirt and not finish the waistband so it can’t be removed to make a two-for-one combo?

The bummer I find with second-handsies is that I often buy a bunch of amazing unique things that don’t always work together harmoniously. I own a lot of statement pieces, but basics, not so much. So sometimes you have to fill in the gaps. I did make some recent purchases at Zara after I received a gift voucher for my birthday. The Givenchy Shark Lock Boots have also long been on my wishlist for an investment purchase, but something I can’t justify purchasing on my current salary, so I’ve made do with the Zara dupes. Also considering the universe is conspiring against my mission for the perfect pair of grey trousers, this pleated skirt has fallen into the mix.

I’m not against the occasional fast fashion buy. I have some items that have been in my wardrobe for eons and, surprisingly, haven’t fallen apart despite not being Prada-quality. It's just hauls that make my skin crawl. No one needs that much polyester.

Future Influences

Thinking about what I’d like to wear going into the office next week and what’s on my radar for when I’m digging through Goodbyes. In my opinion, Rihanna can do no wrong. Her outfit for the Fenty x Puma Creeper Phatty Earth Tone launch was everything I love in this world - masculine tailoring, delectable neutrals, oversized with pops of red. Speaking of pops of red, I need more in my life - particularly with shoes and bags.

These are the areas I spend money in, so I usually stick to black to keep it timeless. However, I’ve been thinking a lot about red sneakers. I’m not a hypebae, so I don’t have a lot of skin in the sneaker game, but my money is on Adidas Spezial to become the next cult style now that Tory rat Rishi Sunak ruined Sambas for everyone. Outside of shoes, I’m in the market for a little red bag. I’m thinking a vintage cherry red Coach Ergo as seen on Olivia Rodrigo. This style is currently having a moment, with Gen Z calling it the thrift store Birkin and restoring old styles on TikTok.