Catwalk Your Workwear

See how you can take the biggest trends straight from fashion week into your work week By AARON KOK

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

See how you can take the biggest trends straight from fashion week into your work week By AARON KOK

POWER UP

Assert power vibes with the help of a strong-shouldered blazer. The trick to avoiding looking like you’re drowning in shoulder pads? Make sure your waist is clearly defined.

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1 Blazer, $333, from Joseph. 2 Blazer, $1,400, from Alexander Wang. 3 Blazer, $179, from H&M. 4 Alexander McQueen

TIP: Doublebreasted buttons give the illusion of a smaller waist, so use it wisely.

BACK TO NATURE

Leaf shapes are the new it-look in jewellery design, which is perfect because they are just subtle enough to be worn to the office.

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From left: Jacquemus. Earrings, $29.90, from Mango.

HOTS TEPPING

When your work shoes start to feel a little dull, strap into a pair of Wizard of Ozapproved shoes for that extra bit of footwear magic.

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Dolce & Gabbana

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Shoes, $89.90, from Zara.

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Iris & Ink shoes, $260, from THE OUTNET.

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Aquazzura shoes, $740, from Pedder on Scotts.

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Shoes from Jimmy Choo.

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Malone Souliers shoes, $629, from Pedder on Scotts.

DRESS TO INVEST

THE LEATHER DRESS

Make the leather dress your new office BFF, with this season’s most supple offerings tailored to perfection.

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Rochas

THE TRUSTY LBD

A fit-and-flare shape ensures you’re not overwhelmed by the leather material.

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From top: Sunglasses, $382, from Gentle Monster. Dress, $391, from MICHAEL Michael Kors. Necklace, $249, from Pandora. Shoes, $340, from Diane von Furstenberg.

THE LEATHER MINI

Channel grown-up mod with a burgundy mini dress, and pair with directional accessories.

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From top: Sunglasses, $230, from kate spade new york. Earrings, $599, from Peter Pilotto x Atelier Swarovski. Dress from Calvin Klein 205W39NYC. Boots, $179, from Topshop. Bag, $810, from Furla.

CHROME, SWEET CHROME!

Your new work bag is tougher, yet packs a style punch, thanks to the proliferation of hardware details that come with it. Studs, chains and metal eyelets, designers aren’t holding back and neither should you.

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Chloé

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1 Bag, $2,490, from Bally. 2 Bag, $369 from See By Chloé. 3 Bag, $1,460, from REDValentino. 4 Bag, $2,840, from Chloé.

PERFECT PAIRING

SILKY MIDI + SLOUCHY BOOTS

Equal parts easy elegance and grown-up glamour done in a wearable way.

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Tibi

THE PENCIL SKIRT

Perfect for: Boyish figures

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Left: Skirt, $49.90, from H&M. Right: Gianvito Rossi boots from Robinsons.

THE DRAPED SKIRT

Perfect for: Pear-shaped figures

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Left: Jonathan Simkhai skirt, $690, from NET-A-PORTER. Right: Zalora Carvela KG boots, $124.90, from Zalora.

THE RUFFLED SKIRT

Perfect for: Waif figures

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Left: Skirt, $96.90, from Topshop. Right: Boots, $849, from Stella McCartney.

CHAIN GANG

Unapologetic, classic and versatile, a hefty chain necklace is all you need to jazz up a work shirt.

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18k yellow gold necklace, $11,000, from Tiffany & Co.

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Chloé

MACRO TREND

DRESS OVER PANTS

Now, you don’t have to choose between feeling feminine in a dress and being comfortable in a pair of pants. Just throw on a floaty frock over cool pants and rake in those style points.

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From left: Loewe, Givenchy, Giada, Idism, Valentino, Hellessy.

NEW COLOUR CODES

Familiarise yourself with the new colours of the season, and experiment with these bold shades the next time you’re getting dressed for work.

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Balance out a daring red sweater with muted tones of green and rust.

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From top: Top; and necklace, $39.90, both from Mango. Skirt, $69.90; and shoes, $89.90, both from Zara. Bag from Dries Van Noten.

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Flecks of gold and colourful embroidery add excitement to nature-inspired colours.

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From top: Earrings, $29.90, from Zara. Saloni top, $520, from NET-A-PORTER. Romance Was Born skirt from Club 21 Forum. Sunglasses, $295, from Ray-Ban. Shoes, $131, from Aldo.

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Channel a modern take on ’70s neutrals with a mix of orange, brown and blue denim.

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From top: Blazer from Tory Burch. Top from Givenchy. Necklace, $479, from Pandora. Jeans, $370, from Maje. Shoes, $330, from Pretty Ballerinas. Boyy bag, $920, from NET-A-PORTER.

MEGAWATT FLATS

Life’s too short for boring flats, so opt for these blingy ones instead.

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Shoes, $1,933, from Roger Vivier.

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Shoes, $790, from REDValentino.

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Shoes, $830, from Jimmy Choo.

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Shoes, $330, from Pretty Ballerinas.

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Shoes, $99.90, from Zara.

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Shoes, $89.90, from Zara.

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Aquazzura shoes, $470, from Pedder on Scotts.

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Shoes, $380, from Pretty Ballerinas.

BEST MAN S TANDING

Menswear fabrics are making a big comeback this season, and we’re pitting these two patterns head-to-head. Either way, you’ll come out on top when you incorporate them into your look.

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From top: Watch, $379, from Calvin Klein Watches. Tunic, $320, from Maje. Lela Rose top, $830, from NET-A-PORTER. Bag from 3.1. Phillip Lim. Earrings, $162, from Misaki. Jacket from Mango. Shoes from Karen Millen.

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Left: Prada. Right: Givenchy

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From top: Sunglasses, $615, from Fendi. Dress, $179, from H&M Studio. Bag, $1,473, from Marni. Top, $19.90, from Mango. Earrings, $500, from Chloè. J.W. Anderson jacket, $228, from THE OUTNET. Rag & Bone boots, $490, from Club 21 Ladies.

TIPS: Drop in some neutral separates to keep your outfit looking fresh. • If you’re going to mix patterns, stick to a similar colour palette. • Experiment with different sizes of checks or houndstooth for a more varied look.

YES PLEATS!

The pleated skirt is back again, this time in a new batch of prints and textures to excite and inspire.

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Left: Sportmax. Right: Balenciaga

PAIR WITH: A CLING Y KNIT TOP

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Skirt, $120, from Mango.

PAIR WITH: A PUSS Y-BOW BLOUSE

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Skirt, $74.95, from H&M.

PAIR WITH: AN O VERSIZED BLACK BLAZER

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Skirt, $350, from MSGM.

PAIR WITH: A CR OPPED JACKET

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Skirt, $99.90, from Marks & Spencer.

PAIR WITH: A CLA SSIC WHITE SHIR T

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Skirt, $560, from Sandro.

SILK ROAD

The most surprising trend of the season has to be the reemergence of the silk scarf, whether it’s in the form of print or an interesting insert. These pieces find new and interesting ways to rework the classic silk scarf with updated pizzazz.

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1. Marine Serre. 2. 3.1 Phillip Lim. 3. Coat, $319, from Topshop. 4. Top, $39.90, from Zara. 5. T-shirt, $29.90, from Zara. 6. Dress from Tory Burch.

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Shoes from ASOS.

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Skirt, $94.95, from H&M.

BRIDGE THE GAP

Clearly, visor-style sunglasses that feature a one-piece construction are going to be a huge trend in the months ahead, so get ahead with these sci-fi sunnies.

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Lanvin

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From top: Sunglasses, $690, from Gucci. Sunglasses, $490, from Givenchy. Sunglasses, $320, from Rag & Bone. Westward Leaning sunglasses, $340, from NETA- PORTER. Sunglasses, $620, from Christian Dior. Sunglasses, $290, from Ray-Ban.

ABOUT TIME

Looking for a new timepiece for work? Strap on a silver bracelet watch that boasts a bigger, more masculine face and layer it with a variety of well-chosen bracelets and cuffs.

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Watch, $369, from DKNY.

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Watch, $409, from Michael Kors.

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Sovil et Titus watch, $445, from City Chain.

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Watch, $139.90, from Casio.

TRUNK SHOW

Newsflash: Trunk bags are still going strong, and we love them for their cool, effortless vibe.

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Bag, $2,700, from Tod’s.

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Bag, $1,550, from MCM.

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Bag, $1,550, from MCM.

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Bag, $2,400, from Marni.

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Manu Atelier bag, $700, from Farfetch.

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Bag, $34.90, from Zalora.

PHOTOS: SHOWBIT