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For those of us that have been living the work-from-home life, there’s no doubt that we’ve all taken it down a notch in the sartorial department and right now, it’s about striking the right balance between being comfortable and looking polished. Thankfully, there are so many labels that nail the ‘effortlessly elevated’ brief and given the extended period of time at home, I’ve got quite a few of these pieces on my radar.
A significant chunk of my wardrobe is corporate wear, but these past few months have made me reconsider the need for all the tailored pieces that are currently sitting dormant. We’ve all proven that we can maintain our professional work standards from the comfort of our own homes… and without a stuffy suit. I have a feeling it’s the start of a shifting dress code when offices are again fully functional.
With that in mind, it’s the effortlessly elevated pieces that are catching my eye and I’ve got a fair few items that I’m contemplating adding to my rotation of wardrobe staples.
Frankie Shop Midi Dress

I’m kicking things off with this sage midi dress from The Frankie Shop. It’s a cotton-linen blend and features a back cutout. I’ve been enjoying wearing khaki lately and sage is a lovely muted alternative. It looks great with sandals and a simple tote.
Frankie Shop Shoulder Pad Tanks
I’ve already got the black version of this tee (and I harp on about how awesome shoulder pad tees are in this dedicated blog post), and given I’m such a fan of the silhouette, I want to pick up other colours in the signature style. The padded shoulders add structure and inject a bit of cool (which I definitely need!). The tops look great tucked into jeans and layered under jackets. They’re also machine washable and easy care, which I’m all about right now!
I can’t quite decide between the sage green and taupe options… so perhaps I have to bite the bullet and get both?!
Envelope1976 Midi Halter Dress

Can you tell summer’s on my mind? I love the notched neckline of this midi dress and the fact that it’s a versatile design. The halter-neck straps are detachable and can be removed to create a strapless look. Black makes it a failsafe option and I figure it’ll work year round given the midi length.
Totême Oversized Shirt

I love how Totême nails wardrobe staples, like this white shirt. The shirts that form part of my collection are mainly from Uniqlo and Scanlan Theodore but I’d love to dial it up a notch with Totême’s luxe interpretation of a classic staple.
Cult Gaia Top

Cult Gaia, probably best known for its signature ‘Ark Bag’, always produce pieces that have edgy and unexpected details. As you know, I love a higher neckline but this top features a chic open back framed by slim adjustable straps. It’s made from a soft, beige cotton-blend knit and I’d style this with both midi skirts and denim.
Emme Parsons Sandals

My summer go-to for the past few seasons have been my Birkenstocks. So much so that I sport a pretty horrid ‘Birkies tan’ that stays around until mid-Winter! While I personally think Birkenstocks look great (and they’re so comfortable), they can look a little overwhelming when I’m styling a more feminine look. I’ve been wanting to add a pair of strappy sandals to my summer footwear rotation for a while and these Emme Parsons Sandals embody the ‘effortlessly elevated’ vibe that I’m going for.
Veja Sneakers

I’ve had a pair of Veja sneakers on my wishlist for a while, specifically the Esplar sneakers because of its minimal design and shorter tongue (I’ve heard the tongue on the V10s can dig in a little). They comprise of considered materials, responsibly sourced from the Amazon rainforest, which makes them a sustainable option if you’re considering adding white sneakers to the mix.
P.S. The five items that always look great on petites and the style diaries and favourites from June.