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I’ve been feeling a new sense of optimism this month as I transition back to working out of the office. While there are a few things to get used to, including the commute into the city (that I really didn’t miss), getting dressed has been integral to getting me back into the swing of things. I’ve enjoyed giving my wardrobe a bit of a refresh (and you’ll notice a bit of a recurring theme on the blog of heading back to work), as Sydney opens up again.
My style ethos encourages mixing high street and high end, and on that note, while I love a good high street find, I always invest when it comes to my workwear staples. For me, they’re the pieces that pull an outfit together and really boost my self-confidence. In today’s post, I thought I’d share with you the ultimate investment pieces for your work wardrobe. These are the pieces that transcend seasons and can be worn for years on end. While early on in my career, I relied on fast fashion for my core staples, as I’ve transitioned to a different phase in my career, I’ve been able to upgrade those with investment pieces.
It’s hard to go past Australian-designer Sarah Lloyd for those core classics. And it’s no surprise that she enjoys a strong customer base of professional working women – so you can rest assured she knows exactly what we’re looking for when it comes to those hero workwear staples. If you’re preparing to make a comeback to the office, or looking to add high end workwear to your rotation, Sarah Lloyd really delivers on those classics.
And in exciting news, I’ve got an exclusive discount code (it’s so exclusive I asked her specifically for this one!) for you to take advantage of. You can use ‘WVW20‘ to get 20% off everything (excluding sale and basics). It’s an incredible offer that she is extending exclusively to my readers.
So, without further ado, I thought I’d share with you the ways I’ve enjoy styling each of the Sarah Lloyd pieces in my collection. I’ve managed to dress them both up and down for days in the office, working from home and off-duty.
#1 – Duchess of Cambridge Blazer in Navy
Left: Sarah Lloyd blazer* styled with Everlane knit* (sz XS), Everlane trousers*, Gucci belt (review here), Gianvito Rossi pumps, Ray Ban sunglasses, Celine bag (review here); Right: Sarah Lloyd blazer* styled with Arket tee (sz S), Viktoria & Woods skirt (sold out), Gucci belt (review here), Gianvito Rossi pumps, Ray Ban sunglasses, Celine bag (review here)
Sarah Lloyd blazer* styled with Everlane tee, Everlane jeans*, Celine bag (review here), Tony Bianco mules (sold out, similar here), Gucci belt (review here), Ray Ban sunglasses
Sarah’s jackets are particular standouts for me because of the signature cut and silhouette she creates. The shoulders are more structured and waists are more tapered than you would ordinarily find on the high street. They’re hard to beat – just ask me, I’ve got three in my collection! 🙈 Two of those happen to be in this Duchess of Cambridge blazer style which is one of the more relaxed styles in her collection. It’s a slim-line tailored linen blazer that looks great with elevated pieces or dressed down with denim.
I took this jacket in a size 8 and it fits perfectly.
#2 – Duchess of Cambridge Blazer in Sky
Left: Sarah Lloyd blazer* styled with Marks & Spencer top* (sold out), Viktoria & Woods skirt (sold out), Gianvito Rossi pumps, Ray Ban sunglasses, Celine bag (review here); Right: Sarah Lloyd blazer* styled with Arket tee (sz S), Sarah Lloyd trousers*, Nicholas Kirkwood loafers, Celine bag (review here), Ray Ban sunglasses
Left: Sarah Lloyd blazer* styled with Sarah Lloyd trousers*, Arket tee (sz 8), Everlane loafers* (review here), Ray Ban sunglasses, Celine bag (review here); Right: Sarah Lloyd blazer* styled with Scanlan Theodore top (sold out), The Frankie Shop trousers (review here), Dior slingbacks, Ray Ban sunglasses, Celine bag (review here)
I love the style of this jacket so much that I also have it in sky blue. It’s a clean and crisp hue that I’ve found very easy to style. With the overall ‘casualisation’ of my wardrobe thanks to the increased time at home, I’ve found the lighter hues add a bit of brightness to my relaxed ensembles. That said, the silhouette is still very sharp and sophisticated, ensuring it can be dressed up for days in the office.
For reference, I took this jacket in a size 8.
#3 – On Parade Jacket in Black
Left: Sarah Lloyd blazer* styled with Everlane knit dress* (sz XS), Scanlan Theodore belt (sold out), Dior slingbacks, Celine bag (review here), Ray Ban sunglasses; Right: Sarah Lloyd blazer* styled with Arket tee (sz S), Sarah Lloyd trousers*, Dior slingbacks, Celine bag (review here)
Left: Sarah Lloyd blazer* styled with Everlane tee, Everlane jeans*, Gucci belt (review here), Dior slingbacks, Ray Ban sunglasses, Celine bag (review here); Right: Sarah Lloyd blazer* styled with Arket tee (sz S), Nobody Denim jeans, Gucci belt (review here), Dior slingbacks, Celine bag (review here), Ray Ban sunglasses
For the workday hero staple, it’s hard to go past a black blazer. And with Sarah’s signature silhouette, there’s not a better one in my wardrobe. I’ve relied on this jacket countless times to the office particularly when I have an important meeting to attend. And if you travel for work, this is ideal as the fabric is wrinkle-resistant and packs really well.
For reference, I’m wearing the size 8.
#4 – Classic Cuff Tailored Pant
Left: Sarah Lloyd trousers* styled with Sarah Lloyd blazer*, Arket tee (sz S), Dior slingbacks, Ray Ban sunglasses, Celine bag (review here); Right: Sarah Lloyd trousers* styled with Sarah Lloyd blazer*, Arket tee (sz S), Everlane loafers* (review here), Ray Ban sunglasses, Celine bag (review here)
Given how much I love the On Parade Jacket, I’ve recently added the matching Classic Cuff Tailored Pant to my collection. When worn together, it’s an effortless modern power suit and a dream to wear. I also enjoy styling the pants separately with other jackets in my wardrobe. Black trousers are a bit of a wardrobe no-brainer, and these tailored trousers are an incredibly luxurious pair to wear.
For reference, I took a size 10 in these and they fit me well. I straddle between sizes 8 to 10 in bottoms and the sizing comes up a tad small on this style. As such, the size 10 works perfectly.
Studio appointments & upcoming events
If you’re based in Sydney, Sarah has a studio in Redfern and is taking appointments where you can pop in to try on her pieces for yourself or enjoy a one-on-one styling session. Sarah also runs events in her studio showcasing key pieces as well as new releases from her latest collections. These events always have limited seating and are intimate showings that are well worth attending. It’s shaping up to be a big year for Sarah and she has four events scheduled to take place this year: 14 March 2021, 23 May 2021, 22 August 2021 and 18 October 2021. You can click here for further information and to register your spot to attend.
As always, thanks for stopping by.
P.S. Five ways to navigate a shifting dress code and the newest (and tiniest) addition to the Celine bag family.
