WORK
in progress Spring 2016
WORK in progress EDITOR Diana-Maria Teodorescu CONTRIBUTORS Maria Dinca Laura Toma Ligia Vieru Ariela Crisan Gabriela Teodorescu SPECIAL THANKS Ioana Brezan Andreea Bica Luciana Zegheanu Bogdan Guna Brittany G. Natasha H. Michelle N.
CONTENTS STYLING 8 How to recycle your outfit 10 Day to evening 12 Common mistakes 14 Budget vs. luxury 16 Let’s break the stigma around jeans 18 The suit edit 20 Editor’s picks 21 Take your inspiration from the catwalks 22 The scarf PEOPLE TO FOLLOW 24 Mary Orton from Memorandum ARTICLES 28 Gender inequality at the workplace 30 A century of uniform reform EDITORIAL 32 The reality of the working women LIFESTYLE 42 Weekend of art in Paris 44 Quick lunch? Best options in London 46 Well-being, the new trend READERS 48 What are you wearing?
WORK in progress
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EDITOR’S LETTER Hi everyone, Welcome to the first edition of ‘Work in progress’ and I really hope you will enjoy it as much as we did creating it for you. We know that you, working ladies, are overwhelmed with endless options, not only with what to wear to work, but in your day to day life. The idea of a workwear magazine first came to mind around the end of 2014, when lots of my female friends were complaining that they have difficulties in dressing up for work. Some said that there are not enough places to get inspiration from and if there were, the items shown were mainly designer. So, I am more than happy to be able to share ‘Work in progress’ with you. You will be able to find lots styling tips of multiple office environments and items with a variety of price points. Furthermore, the lovely Mary Orton from the fashion blog Memorandum answers some of our questions about workwear. The central piece of the magazine is the photoshoot based around the reality of the working women. If you live in London, I’m sure that you’ve seen around 8am women rushing to work in their trainers and applying make-up in the tube, just because.. who is not in a hurry nowadays? Last but not lastly, the magazine in shoppable! If you see an item that you love, simply click on that image and you will be redirected to the seller’s website. So there’s no time wasted to search for the top that you love, it’s only one click away! Another great feature is that you can see the editorial in movement, with the help of a few clips. Simply click on the video buttons to access them! I really hope you like it and we’ll see each other soon! Lots of love, Diana
WORK in progress
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STYLING
HOW TO
Recycle YOUR
OUTFIT
Diana Teodorescu
Of course we don’t have either endless cash or space in
our wardrobe, so we have to adapt somehow. A more basic outfit than a black pencil skirt and a white shirt can’t be! So let’s see how you can accessorize it in different days.
HOBBS, SHIRT, £79 ZARA, SKIRT, £17,99
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THE CONSERVATIVE WAY
For the ladies that like their classic look. This outfit is ideal for a meeting or a business meeting. The cashmere scarf and pearls add elegance to the look.
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MASSIMO DUTTI, SCARF, £99,95 MICHAEL KORS, BAG, £285 DUNE, SHOES, £65 SWAROWSKI, NECKLACE, £149
BE BOLD!
This is the outfit for the lady that likes to stand out at work. HOBBS, BLAZER, £179 DKNY, BAG, £205 LIBERTY LONDON, SCARF, £195 LOUBOUTIN, SHOES, £425
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DRESS-DOWN DAY
If you’re one of the lucky ones that has casual Fridays at the office, but you still want to look put together and wear a shirt, this might be a great relaxed option for you. LK BENNETT, FLATS, £185 MANGO, SUEDE JACKET, £79,99 ZARA, BACKPACK, £29,99
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THE INTERVIEW OPTION
Again, a classy outfit, appropriatte both an interview and for a meeting. Adding a pop of colour will make you stand out, without being too bold. HOBBS, BLAZER, £189 HUGO BOSS, BAG, £995 LK BENNETT, SHOES, £185 SKAGEN, WATCH, £89
WORK in progress
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STYLING
Day Evening TO
When you start working, Fridays become But, for those that are, sartorial choices somewhat holy. They signify the end become more difficult when trying to NOT EVERY of the week, the start of the weekend mix up your conservative-ish work and the first night you can go out from DAY IS A wear with something appropriate for work and not worry about waking up FRIDAY. going out. So how do you do it? early to go back to it the next day. Don’t go out. JUST KIDDING!!
F
ashion is an art but dressing up to go out on a Friday after work can be very systematical. It could be as simple as changing one single element of your outfit. So let’s start from the top (or you could, just like Drake, have started from the bottom and now be here too).
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The first and easiest thing you could do is change your lip colour – go from your daily shade to a deeper, brighter or bolder colour that will instantly elevate your outfit. Whatever you might be wearing, an exciting lip colour will make you ready for a night out. If colourful lipstick is not your thing accessories can be an option that is just as quick and easy. Add a statement necklace or create your very own arm party using bangles, bracelets and watches (who says you need to limit yourself to one?) and that will definitely take the conservative element out of your work-wear. If you are weary of putting on too much jewellery on the job, don’t be afraid to do it after – it always adds more fun to your look.
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Another easy way of cheating your way through the ‘going-out’ system is to simply exchange your work flats for a nice pair of heels. Think big, go all out – you can wear anything from a killer pair of patent stilettos to an extravagant pair of feathery sandals – your really don’t need anything else to elevate your look. Just like the jacket, you can always keep a spare pair of heels in your office to be ready in the eventuality of a Friday night outing. You know you would be going home afterwards anyway – be it that night or in the morning – so there is no need to worry about what you would have to wear the next day.
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A great advantage of being at work is that you can always bring items with you and safely keep them with you without having to actually wear them. Take a jazzy jacket with you in the morning and keep it in the office ready to put on when you are out. A beaded, embroidered, glittery or sequined - you name it jacket is the perfect way to turn a monochromatic work outfit into something more exciting. Likewise, if you want to keep your outerwear more conservative, you can opt
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Maria Dinca
for wearing a jumpsuit underneath. If you find the right one for your shape and size, it will look appropriate for work but interesting enough for the evening too, fixing any problem or worry you might have about having to change or carry a second set of clothes with you at work.
Finally, the biggest mistake you can make is to think that your workwear cannot be suitable for going out without changing something to it. Work wear should not be boring or plain – it should reflect your personality, just like anything else you wear. If kept in the limits of appropriateness, no one says work-wear should not make you look good or fashionable. Don’t be afraid to stand out in your workwear, just like you would through your personality and actions. Want to know the easiest way to do that? Colour. Don’t be scared of it. Wearing a colourful outfit will make both your day and that of the people surrounding you, and it would be a great choice for going out too. Whether you choose to wear a coloured two-piece, or just a vibrant, printed dress you will definitely make a great impression!
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Recommendations: M.A.C in ‘Lady Danger’ Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in ‘La Merveilleuse’ YSL Rouge Volupte in No.12 Nars Satin Lip Pencil in ‘Yu’
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ACCESSORIZE BRACELET £8
DKNY SHOES £205
ALDO SHOES £75
BOOHOO SHOES £30
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5 ZARA NECKLACE £25,99
H&M JACKET £79,99
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ZARA EARRINGS £12,99
SWAROVRSKI DAZZLING CUFF £395
COAST JUMPSUIT £129
MANGO CAPE £59,99
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STYLING
T
Common
he office is the place that you should express yourself professionally and be discreet with your private life. The attitude definitely matters when having a successful career, but also what you’re wearing matters and add something to the overall impression that you give. Do you remember the ones that make you turn your head around? Those are the ones that look incredible and have success. And why not be you? They wear clothes not necessarily expensive, even if they seem or maybe they are. There are usually items that are well chosen in terms of cut, colours and are also work appropriate. What does work appropriate mean? It means not going into a routine that makes you wear the same outfit every single day, your heels don’t go above 3 inches and.. good taste.
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The excess of... anything
First of all, you can be creative by carefully combining items to create your outfit. Try and incorporate some colour when your outfit is too dull, keep your high heels for the weekend, when you’re going out with friends, and don’t go crazy with prints. If you manage to keep your outfit interesting, your mood will definitely change with it and both your clothes and your smile will be glowing. Give it a try!
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How short? How deep? How tight?
These are the questions that pop in one’s mind when buying something for work. The answer for all of them, easy: choose things appropriate for the occasion and the office. It’s not indicated to wear an outfit that
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MISTAKES IN THE Corporate Environment Laura Toma
distracts whom you’re talking to from your intelligence and redirects their attention to the exposed parts of your body. Too much can ruin everything and too little can be boring, but it’s safe. And if you’re one that chooses ‘basic & safe’ all the time, maybe it’s good to add some personality in the equation. Not something crazy and masive, maybe some delicate jewelery that becomes the centre of attention. Some tips! It’s important that the underwear stays under and doesn’t get unwanted attention. Choose skirts and dresses that are not shorter that one palm above the knee. And keep your shoulders covered!
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Materials and cuts
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The look
Materials should ideally be natural and the tailored pieces need to have an impeccable cut so that your blazer flatters your body shape. Sheer materials should either stay home or are in a desperate need of a top underneath.
Be careful your hair is not wet from your quick morning shower. When it comes to manicure, if you don’t have time to maintain them and the nail polish is always chipped, it’s better to keep them natural. And as far as accessories go, keep the shiny ones for the evening and choose an elegant watch. The make-up should always be
as natural as possible, no bright lipsticks or colourful eye shadows. You want to show how smart you are, not how good you are when doing a smoky eye look! And as some a useful tip, keep your skin hydrated by drinking lots of water and you will shine naturally.
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What to wear in the summer at the office?
No strappy tops and sandals, that’s for sure! Tiny heels will always be a plus, as well as flats or any other shoes that cover your toes. As far as materials are concerned, go all natural! From cotton and viscose, to flowing silky fabrics that allow you skin to breathe and give you a state of well-being. Choose a sleeveless fluid top with some wide trousers or a skirt. Summer is also the season of bold colours, so if you choose to wear them, make sure it’s not a show-off element. But for sure leave your black jacket at home and replace it with a suede jacket. Do the same with your bag.
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Days in the office, nights out
Don’t dress in the morning for a night out. People will notice it and it won’t be appreciated. For sure you won’t have time to go home to change, so add something to your outfit at the end of the program – lipstick, perfume, scarf.
Too SHORT
Too LOW
No STRAPS
Too MUCH 13
STYLING
BUDGET vs.
Luxury
Diana Teodorescu
ZARA SHIRT £19.99
LOUBOUTIN 85MM PIGALLE £425
MANGO SUEDE PUMPS £39.99
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HOBBS SHIRT £79
HUGO BOSS SHIRT £139
MANGO SKIRT £39.99
LK BENNETT WRAP SKIRT £125
Not everyone has the cash to buy designer clothes,
so what do you do? Not buy anything? Of course this is not the answer. Maybe it’s nice to treat yourself with a more expensive item from time to time, as you have the guarantee that it will last a lot longer. But there are excellent high-street alternatives out there.
HUGO BOSS BAG £995
ZARA CITY BAG £39.99
HUGO BOSS WOOL BLEND BLAZER £380
MANGO ESSENTIAL BLAZER £39.99
HUGO BOSS WOOL BLEND TROUSERS £170
MANGO COTTON TROUSERS £29.99
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HOBBS DRESS £159
MANGO CONTRAST DRESS £39.99
ressing on a budget is not complicated. Items don’t have to be expensive to be stylish, and same with the cheaper ones. From skirts and tops, to suits and shoes, you have to dress appropriate for your body type and work environment.
WORK in progress
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STYLING
LET’S BREAK THE
Around
STIGMA
Jeans
still steer away from jeans when putting on their work/ formal attire. It seems like no matter what, there will always be a stigma associated to denim in a serious environment, a moral code that deems it ‘risky’. But why? Excluding rips and tears, patchwork and a rise so low it would show your butt crack, most jeans are just trousers made of denim. So why should a cigarette pant be acceptable but a cigarette fit jean not when the only thing differentiating them is the material?
I
t’s possible that dress code boundaries today have become more muddled than ever – cue business casual, the most confusing dress code ever invented. Some of us may often be guilty of ignoring the idea of dress code appropriate dressing but the UK always reminds us that there are such things as ‘dinner jackets’. Still, more and more occasions are now deemed suitable for smart casual dressing, including workspaces. Great, right?
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However, no matter how wide spread business casual has become, most people would
Jeans can very much be seen as the friends with benefits of clothes. On the one hand, they are casual enough to be paired with a sweatshirt, ready to be worn at home with no makeup whilst eating pizza. On the other hand, they hold enough potential when worn with heels and a smart top to be taken out to dinner. All of this whilst allowing you to feel comfortable and putting no pressure on handling them with care to avoid wrinkles and stains. It’s sad to still be caught in this old-fashioned idea that jeans
Maria Dinca
can’t be elegant or formal when we are encouraged to be so open minded in every other area of our lives. We should push towards breaking the stigma around jeans and emphasise the meaning of the term casual in ‘business casual’. So try to have the courage to not only wear jeans, but even mom jeans, on your first day at a new internship or job and feel great. Feel free to put on a bedazzled turtleneck just to add the elegant factor in somewhere. A fair share of articles try to teach you how to dress for work whilst being fashionable but forget about the work part after the first tip, rendering the whole article useless because all of the outfits are slightly too out there for work. So we admit, mum jeans might be a bit out there but, hey, one needs to make a statement sometimes. However, if you are in a more formal environment that still allows for business casual, don’t be afraid to pair your dark wash jeans with a smart blazer and elegant flats for a smart business outfit. At the end of the day, there should be nothing wrong with jeans, nor anything that would make you less smart, dedicated or formal in your job by wearing them. Labels are beginning to be out-dated so, as long as your bottoms are not offensive or inappropriate in the wider context, it shouldn’t matter whether they are chinos, palazzo pants or jeans. So let’s stand up for jeans.
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1 Edit STYLING
the
SUIT
Ariela Crisan
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THE USUAL WITH A PLUS
If you don’t want the classic black suit, but still looking for a somehow conservative outfit. ZARA, BLAZER, £49,99 ZARA, TROUSERS, £29,99
THE CLASSIC
The staple in every wardrobe! Suitable for any occasion and can be accessorised in multiple ways. HOBBS, BLAZER, £199 HOBBS, DRESS, £159
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MIX & MATCH
Crazy about one colour? Create multiple looks by mixing the blazer with trousers, dress or skirt. HUGO BOSS, BLAZER, £380 HUGO BOSS, DRESS, £350 HUGO BOSS, TROUSERS, £189
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THE TRENDY PRO
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Ideal for the ones working in a creative enviroment.
TWEED WITH A TWIST
ASOS, BLAZER, £50 ASOS, CULOTTES, £35
The subtle detail with the lace will make a difference for sure! But do keep the rest of the items simple. ASOS, BLAZER, £60 ASOS, SKIRT, £35
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THE COLOURFUL
Again, classic cut with a twist. Go bold when it comes to colours! ASOS, DARK GREEN BLAZER, £42 ASOS, DARK GREEN TROUSERS, £28 ASOS, WINE BLAZER, £50 ASOS, WINE TROUSERS, £40
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THE UNCONVENTIONAL
Definitely for the fashionistas out there. A very unusual suit! Would you have the courage to wear it? ASOS, BLAZER, £75 ASOS, TROUSERS, £65
WORK in progress
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STYLING
ZARA PRINTED SHIRT £39,99
Editor’s COAST STRIPED DRESS £109
PICKS Diana Teodorescu
Just if you were looking for
some inspiration...
FRENCH CONNECTION KNITWEAR £70
HOBBS TWEED SKIRT £69
ZARA WIDE TROUSERS £49,99
LK BENNETT BLAZER £295 LK BENNETT TROUSERS £185 TED BAKER COLOUR BLOCK DRESS £159
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TAKE YOUR
Inspiration FROM THE
HERMES
SS16 CHANEL
CATWALKS
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PAUL & JOE
STYLING
E
legant or business outfits definitely need to be worn with silk scarves, mainly monochromatic, but it’s not mandatory. For example, a Burberry scarf is one of the best choices and it never goes out of fashion. Firstly, it’s important that everything in your outfit is coordinated. The scarf has to add style and elegance to your look and it can even replace jewelry. During the summer, when the air conditioning is working in your office, a silk scarf will keep you warm enough.
THE
Scarf Gabriela Teodorescu
O
ne of the easiest accessory you can possibly wear and a classy one for sure - the silk scarf! With endless print possibilities and thousands of ways to tie it, you will never go wrong!
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A scarf can mean vivacity, elegance, sensuality. When you look at purchasing one, try to invest in a high quality one, as it will last for years. As far as where to find them, Liberty London is a great place. They even created tutorials on their YouTube channel which teach you how to wear scarves and how to make the best of your time wearing them.
PEOPLE TO FOLLOW
AN INTERVIEW WITH
Mary Orton
S
he owns a blog that inspire working women all around the world and she admits she loves fashion blogs as much as the next girl. “But Monday through Friday, you’re probably not going to be rocking a backless silk chiffon romper with a fedora and studded platform stilettos - unless you work as a magician’s assistant or you’re Gwen Stefani… “ Q: How did you come up with the idea to start a blog about workwear? Mary: As I began my career in the maledominated New York finance industry a few years ago, I quickly became aware of the many challenges faced by females in the workplace. Many of these challenges are discussed prominently in the media, but I felt that female professional dress, for some reason, was often conspicuously absent from the dialogue. Both myself and my female friends and colleagues were always struggling to come up with a female equivalent of the man’s suit-and-tie uniform and there didn’t seem to be much sartorial inspiration out there for working women. After first learning about fashion blogs about 18 months ago, I started the blog with the hope of contributing to that dialogue and offering workwear inspiration for professional women. I’ve been very lucky that the blog has grown quickly and has been incredibly well received by working women all over the world. Q: How would you describe your style? Mary: My aesthetic is always evolving so it’s hard to cull it down to a couple words, but in general, I gravitate towards pieces and ensembles that are foundationally classic but have a modern edge.
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PEOPLE TO FOLLOW
Q: Are there any work outfit restrictions? Mary: As I discuss on the blog, since work environments vary so widely, there are very few universal rules. Clothing that may be perfectly appropriate for someone working in a start-up may be wildly inappropriate for a lawyer or accountant. This is why I offer a diversity of outfits on the blog that range from very business casual to very business formal. Nevertheless, I do think that some things are unacceptable in almost all professional settings like low-cut cleavage-bearing blouses, short mini skirts, leggings and flip-flops! Q: Which items you recommend as must-haves in someone’s wardrobe? If you have a good foundation of quality staple pieces that fit really well, the rest is fun and easy to mix in. To name just a few, I guess I would say a classic trench coat, a four-season darkcolored lightweight wool suit that really fits well (which may require tailoring), a pair of classic black leather pumps and a timeless tote bag.
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Q: Any tips for looking polished, but also getting out of the house quickly in the morning? Personally, I keep my hair and make-up routine simple, which is good for the workplace and great for getting out the door in the morning. Otherwise, I think my biggest time saver is trying to pick out what I’m wearing the night before. In the mornings, I am very often prone to standing in the middle of my closet with my hands on my head convinced that I have nothing to wear. A bit ironic for a fashion blogger, no? So, to the extent possible, I’ve tried to get in the habit of spending five minutes before bed picking out what I’m going to wear the next day. This isn’t ground-breaking advice by any means, but a great way to save time if you force yourself to get in the habit! Q: Who is your inspiration for the blog? My mother, a professional woman who set a flawless and impeccably polished example for me to grow up watching. This is my chance to pay it forward…
Gender Inequality AT THE
WORK PLACE
For many years now there has been an ongoing argument for gender
equality in the workplace, however old-fashioned stereotypes are still present in many sectors that are preventing more progress in this area. Michelle N.
B
ias towards the genders can happen in many different work settings, and often even employers and employees are unaware of it to a certain extent. The highly competitive and cut-throat world of finance and banking still has an overhang of male domination, but women working in this sector have often reported that they have felt excluded from most of the social opportunities. Many women have compared the social events as being too much like an ‘old boys club’, and the chosen activities were considered by women as either too juvenile, or testosterone filled events that were quite unappealing to women. When you reverse the situation to put a man into a mainly female dominated world, it is not always the same. Take for example the fashion industry. This has traditionally been dominated by mostly women, but men entering the industry have never been made feel alienated either accidentally or on purpose. There are less men involved in the fashion industry simply because less men have chosen it as a career option, but many men in the industry say they have been generally well accepted, and never been made to feel uncomfortable with their chosen career.
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www.utradetalk.com
Unconscious gender bias Unconscious gender bias arises in the workplace due to ingrained assumptions and expectations that we have of others. We inherently expect men to be natural leaders, and therefore we don’t question it when they get promoted and rewarded with higher pay. However, a mother possessing the same skills and experience can have her opportunity for a promotion reduced by up to 70% simply because of our unconscious bias that she will be more focused on her family and children than her job. In some cases where the woman is chosen for promotion over the
man, despite sharing the same skill-set, she could well find that her promotion comes with a much reduced pay packet when compared with what the company would have been prepared to offer the man for the same role. There have also been instances in the workplace where women have been encouraged to fill a particular role because of the unconscious bias that a man wouldn’t be prepared to do the job for the salary on offer.
Productivity increases when genders are mixed Years of study about productivity in the workplace has consistently shown that having a mixed-gender team working together will be far
more productive, and will deliver better results in a shorter time span than single-sex teams of either gender.
see that a mere 6.1% of FTSE 100 executives position and just 3% of board chairperson positions are held by women.
A study by Catalyst research discovered that “Companies with high-level female representation on boards significantly outperformed those with sustained low representation by 84% on return on sales, 60% on return on invested capital, and 46% on return on equity. The Women’s Business Council predicts that we could add 10% (that is over £150bn) to our GDP by 2030 if all the women that wanted to work were employed.”
In other sectors where you may expect women to be more prolific, women still only make up 20% of university professors, and just 22% of MPs and peers. Even despite the introduction of the Equal Pay Act in 1975, there is still a noticeable wage gap between men and women in similar occupations. Income inequality has actually worsened in the UK when compared to other countries in Europe, and women can expect to earn roughly £140,000 less than their male counterparts over their entire career.
Working women today have a great opportunity to lead, reshape and improve the economic, political and social landscape. Traditionally gendered roles that were prevalent fifty years ago have been successfully challenged and changed beyond all recognition. Family dynamics have changed, and both parents are now sharing their parental responsibility more evenly than before.
Goverment policy changes have little effect Greater recognition of gender equality in government legislation has helped to restructure genderrole divisions meaning that women are now more financially and economically independent than ever before. 42% of the UK working population are women, and 55% of all university graduates are female, so looking at these figures you would expect both men and women to be treated evenly in the workplace. But unfortunately it is not as simple as that. Even in this day and age, women are still being overlooked for highlevel roles within businesses in the UK. It is quite eye-opening to
Unemployment figures for working age women in the UK currently stands at around 838,000 and and 9 out of 10 women currently looking for work want to see both men and women equally represented in the workplace, including those holding down top level leadership jobs. While employment research and statistics can offer great insights into the imbalances between the genders in the workplace, they cannot address those issues, or give a reason why the skills and talents of women are not being made better use of.
Traditional bias still has influence Many employment analysts believe that our traditional social and cultural norms are still having an influence over gender roles in the workplace. Stereotypes still exist in many businesses, and this continues to have an influence over new recruitment into companies in general. There is a certain expectation about genders that some businesses are finding hard to shake off. This will then have an impact on an individuals social
status within the workforce. Male workmates will often be looked upon as being more driven, and therefore more competent within their role. On the other hand, women are often viewed as more loyal and collaborative, which is not bad thing in itself, but some bosses will see a woman as needing her network around her to be able to make a reasoned decision, so will be more inclined to promote a male to a higher level role because he is seen as more dynamic, competitive and independent. This would be more prevalent when it is a male boss making the decision to promote from within because he can better relate to the male employee, and will understand his way of thinking and working. It is a shame that no matter how progressive we become in the workplace, and actively make an effort to go against gender bias and stereotypes, career women are often looked upon as being aggressive and odd, and stay-athome fathers as missing out on great career opportunities.
S
ocial pressures and expectations from previous generations for women to behave in a certain way will still have an influence over their lives, and will continue to reinforce many of the traditional gender stereotypes that we have had for years. It will take many years of slow adaptation to shake off these influences, unless something radical and drastic happens to change our collective social consciousness overnight. Maybe this will happen in our lifetime – but maybe not.
WORK in progress
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A CENTURY OF
A
Uniform REFORM
s many of us know, keeping up with the changing fashions is as hard to do as keeping up with housework. It never seems to end. However, throughout the 1900’s, women’s fashion changed depending on the current world events, their job, or even their social status. So how has the working woman impacted by these trends, and what can we expect in the future in terms of uniform requirements? Brittany G.
The House Wife
Before we begin, there is one notable group that is no so impacted by the changing trends, however, raising a family is still work. Typically, you would see a housewife in crisp, starched dresses. Clean blouses of a variety of colours and patterns and skirts to match. This common for many women to wear. Today, a homemaker does not have these standards and may be caught in yoga pants, sweatpants, or even jeans.
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Uniforms That Started It All
Many of us have flipped through some old pictures and seen the elaborate outfits many women wore. With hours it took to dress and get ready, it is no wonder why they became antiqued come the 1900’s. Crinoline hoops were gone and were replaced by more modest dresses and skirts. Hair was always worn up, and jewelry was typically not worn as those working were not of the upper class.
1900-1915’s
During this time, right before World War I, women were working office jobs, most notably in the press. The average outfit would consist of a full skirt and white blouse along with matching shoes.
If it could be afforded, the shoes were made of leather and may have even had heels. Hair would have been worn up and out of the way, however, long hair was still a style.
scoop necklines, and even had bear arms with sleeveless dresses!
1915-1930’s
During WWI, many women had to take the job of men who were sent off to war. In these cases, many became factory workers, trading in their starched dresses for coveralls, popularized by Rosie The Riveter. This time was a time of change for women as some gained their independence, having money flowing into their household like never before, others were getting greasy for the first time in their lives.
Today’s Work Uniform During this time, perm waves became quite popular and made their mark for decades to come. Another massive change was nylon, Spanx as we know them today.
1960-1990’s
As we get closer to modern times, we can begin to see new colours blooming onto shirts and patterns. While formal wear is still black satin and lace, our uniforms have
Thus, fashions changed. Hair was being worn down, in braids or just tied out of their way. Skirts became shorter, and more functional styles of shoes became popularized. Patterns also became popular; the stripes were the most common.
1930-1960’s
Starting in the 1930’s, women truly began to use their freedom to dress in more comfortable manners. Later on, waitresses wore short skirts and dresses in colourful, bright patterns, and close to today’s tennis shoes. Secretaries were wearing semi-sheer material, wide
changed too. Pants were widely accepted starting in the early 70’s and became a staple for many office workers. Those in the factory were hardly impacted by these changing trends. However, T-shirts became a common form of casual wear for everyone. Companies could even screen print their logo on these shirts, and create more functional uniforms for their employees. Later in this period we began to see work polo’s paired with dress pants and skirts become common work uniforms. Typically, the hair would be pulled up and a hair net worn, especially in food service areas.
Today, our uniform is as diverse as the jobs we hold. From teachers to lab techs, to doctors, to working from home, our uniforms have become expressions of who we are as individuals while we do our job. Depending on the field, this may be limited to the way we wear our hair, down to the very fabric of the outfits we choose. For a nurse, no longer do you need to wear a starch white coat. It is still used today, but scrubs in a variety of soothing colours are available. A technician can wear blue coveralls with the sleeves rolled up. A teacher can wear a skirt and V-neck blouse with glamourous jewelry. It all depends on the expectations set forth.
S
o what does this mean? Going from traditional wear to being able to shop any style, and even creating your own personality through the clothes you wear? It means that we have brought about a new era of uniforms. We fully express
ourselves within a given expectation, and we often push the bounds to bring about a uniform reform when it is needed.
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THE
Reality OF THE
WORKING WOMAN
W
ith an ever changing, highly charged work and home life a common feature in our daily routine, we are always striving for simple things to make everyday tasks quicker and easier to save on precious time. Work pressures, life commitments and social events sometimes give us little time to prepare fully and feel ready for whatever life throws at us.
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tepping out in a work suit and trainers whether they are fashion or sports footwear has become the norm for many women. Journeys to work involve lots of walking around, standing for long periods and in the worst cases having to run for the tube or bus. We don’t want to ruin our stunning heels or give ourselves painful blisters so trainers provide that support and comfort you need to start the day, leaving your feet ready for the busy road ahead.
MANGO, DRESS, £49.99 MUSETTE, BAG, £125 TOPSHOP, STILETTOS, £32 NIKE, TRAINERS, £90 OASIS, COAT, model’s wardrobe
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A
common sight on the busy commute is ladies finishing off their makeup in the camera of a mobile phone and workwear teamed with trainers to make the journey just that little more comfortable because who wants to battle the underground in 4 inch heels. We’ve all seen it, it’s just a part of everyday life, something that makes it just a little easier and quicker whilst we rush around living life.
Click here to see the
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VIDEO!
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HOBBS, JACKET, £189 HOBBS, SKIRT, £99 TOPSHOP, STILETTOS, £32 NIKE, TRAINERS, £90 ZARA, BAG, £39.99 SKAGEN, WATCH, £125
Click here to see the
VIDEO!
WORK in progress
T
he art of multi-tasking is something everyone wishes they could elegantly deliver, I have seen women applying a full face of make up on a busy tube without the slightest look of discomfort. These ladies have mastered the technique and can execute it perfectly, the buzz of the busy commute doesn’t faze them and we all wish we looked that lovely whilst trying to apply liquid liner on a bumpy train ride.
Click here to see the
VIDEO!
ZARA, TROUSERS, £49.99 ZARA, KNITWEAR, £19.99 ZARA, WAISTCOAT, £49.99 MUSETTE, BAG, £80 TOPSHOP, STILETTOS, £32
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LIFESTYLE
A Weekend of Art IN
PARIS
If there’s one thing modern technology spoils us with, it’s the possibility to travel to a different place quicker than ever. Ligia Vieru
A
I
bit over 2 hours by train from London, Paris, the French capital, awaits for you, filled with parks, museums, good food, wine and much more. Arriving in Paris on a Friday afternoon for a city break, may seem like you’re short on time for all the amazing things that you can discover in this city. But don’t be overwhelmed, there’s plenty of ways to make the most of your short stay in the city of lights! A good tip if you’re only staying in Paris for 2 nights would be to book a hotel or rent an apartment in the city center, it may be pricier than finding something further from the center but it will save you lots of time.
Once arrived at your hotel, you can now check-in, drop your bags and start exploring! One of the most beautiful gardens in Paris, Tuileries Gardens is situated right next to the Louvre Museum and Rue de Rivoli. You can admire the imposing outside of one of the biggest museums in the world, and the more modern Louvre Pyramids. From there you can walk directly through the Tuileries Gardens towards Place de la Concorde, the largest
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square in Paris. The Tuileries Garden, dating back to the 16th century, is the perfect place for an evening stroll under the chestnut trees or a quick snack on one of the many public chairs next to the two large basins. Once in Place de la Concorde, you can catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides and Alexander the 3rd bridge. Continuing your walk in the same direction, you will find yourself on the famous Champs Elysées. If you’re lucky you might still find a couple of shops open even later in the evening and of course a lot of restaurants and cafés. Even if you stop for dinner, don’t forget to finish your walk only at the other end of the boulevard, in Place de l’Étoile, right next to the glowing Arc de Triomphe.
f you only have one full day in Paris, the best thing to do is to start early and go to a museum, something big like the Louvre might take a whole day, but something smaller like Musee Picasso in Marais, Musee Dali in Montmartre or an exhibition at the Georges Pompidou Center will take you less time. After visiting the museum you can stay for lunch in the area and explore the endless possibilities it has to offer. You can always have a walk around the Places des Vosges in Marais and eat at
one of the lovely restaurants on the many narrow backstreets or have a stroll around the Montmartre hill, and enjoy the view from the terrace in front of the Sacre Coeur Cathedral.
In the afternoon, there is nothing better than going for a
promenade in the old-fashioned “passages couvertes” or covered passages. These are a couple of 19th century pedestrian shopping arcades on the Right Bank of the Seine which today house restaurants, cafes, boutiques, museums, and even university class rooms! The most elegant ones are The Colbert Gallery and Vivienne Gallery in the 2nd Arrondisement and the busiest but most exciting ones are the Jouffroy, Panoramas and Verdeau Passages in the 2nd and 9th Arrondisement. Remember to go to the 2nd floor of some of the shops to catch a glimpse of the passage from the window and also see the details of the stained glass and those of the clocks on the walls. Although in the winter the parks in Paris close early - at 8 o’clock in the evening - try visiting a smaller park near the city center, like the charming Parc Monceau in the 8th Arrondisement. The park dates back to the 18th century although we can thank Baron Haussman’s 19th century renovations for its modern day appearance. The area around the park is a quiet, residential neighborhood with beautiful architecture, perfect for recharging your batteries by walking in a less busier area of
the city. Although it can be hard to decide whether to visit the Eiffel Tower during the day or at night time (either way the view is spectacular!), if your stay in Paris is on the shorter side, it is better to go in the evening as this leaves you more time during the day for museums and walks in the parks. And as a bonus, in the evening, every hour on the
so depending of the time of your outbound train, you might still be able to squeeze a few things into your schedule. The Notre Dame Cathedral is a safe bet as, although the queues for entering scare many tourists, you will be surprised how fast it actually goes (part of it because
there is no entrance fee at the door, just a quick bag search) and you will find yourself inside in no time. Once entered, don’t forget to look at the beautiful stained glass and the Mary statue.
hour, tiny silver lights sparkles on the Tower for 5 minutes. The Tower is open daily until midnight and unless you are fine taking the stairs you have to be prepared for the long queues for the elevators. Obviously, it will all be worth it once you get to the top floor. And don’t worry about getting back to your hotel, the underground will still be running by the time you get down!
E
ven if Sunday is your last day in Paris, that doesn’t mean you don’t have plenty of time to visit. The Gare du Nord train station, where all the trains to and from England are, is relatively close to the city center,
After a quick lunch in the Latin Quarter on the Left Bank of the Seine, you are all ready to get back to the train station. You might not go back home with your batteries fully recharged as a trip to Paris can be tiring, but surely with memories to last
you a lifetime!
Recommended restaurants: “Le Mistral”- in the Chatelet area, on the banks of the River Seine “Pizza Vesuvio”- pizza place on The Champs Elysees “Au Cadet de Gascogne”- in Place du Tertre, Montmartre “Casa San Pablo”- Spanish restaurant in Marais “Georges”- restaurant with an amazing view on the terrace of the Pompidou Center “Hippopotamus”affordable chain restaurant, lots different locations “Prêt a Manger”- lots of different locations “A la Mere de Famille”- old fashioned candy shop, lots of different locations “Cafe de Flore” and “Le Procope”- in the Latin Quarter, where famous painters and writers like Picasso and Victor Hugo used to go in the 19th century
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LIFESTYLE
Quick lunch?
BEST IN LONDON
P
erhaps the most underrated meal of the day, lunch, can be the most important when it is the only hour you can spend to refresh in between meetings and business calls. Living in a city like London not only
offers you the option of a quick lunch but also brings you a wide variety of places you could do that in – from traditional pubs to Thai take aways, from the cheaper to the most expensive. Maria Dinca
Pret-a-Ma
nger
A definite cl assic that co forgotten is uld not be Pret-a-Man ger. Found corner, as m on ever ainstream as cannot be d it has becom y enied that it e, it is quick, hea incredibly v lthy and aried – may be the best option for sandwiches across Lond on.
www.telegraph.co.uk
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Homeslice (13 Neal’s Yard, London WC2H 9DP)
WELL N E K R Siam Eatery CLE
Usually boasting waiting times from 20 minutes to 1h45, especially around lunchtime, Homeslice also offers pizza (either by the slice or their classic 20’’) for take away, making it the perfect option if you want to enjoy a tasty pizza with your coworkers in the office.
Riverside Terrace Café Just by the Southbank, the Riverside Terrace Café’s best feature is its view. The drinks are great and reasonably priced, whilst the food consists of slightly overpriced classic sandwich and soup variations but the view definitely makes up for it. The Riverside Terrace Café is definitely the best place for people watching and a relaxing lunch by the Thames.
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Hummus Bros
(62 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QE)
For any Hummus lover, Hummus Bros might be the best option – it’s quick, cheap and interesting. It might not be worth going back over and over again but if you are ever craving hummus and looking to spice up your lunch routine this might just be the option.
Pizza place Leicester Sq
A little gem, hidden in between Leicester Square’s restaurants, this cozy Italian is great for both take away and sitting in for a quick Panini or slice of pizza. Resembling a Milanese cafeteria, it boasts incredible variety in their offering and is a great option for lunch as well as an evening date.
(24 Wellington St, London WC2E 7DD)
Just as you walk off the Strand and into the Covent Garden area, you will find this unpretentious Thai place that makes delicious food on the go. You might want to bring your own drink but the food is reasonably priced and definitely quick.
SOUTH - WAT
Borough Market
ERLOO
(8 Southwark St, London SE1 1TL)
The Fourteenth Colonie
Ottolenghi
(45-47 Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1M 5RS)
Yumchaa Camden
(91-92 Camden Lock Place, London NW1 8AF)
(90B Southwark St, London SE1 0FD)
Quick, tasty and easy, Vapiano is the perfect mix between fast food and fine dining. The system is very straightforward: you wait in a queue, pick the pasta dish and type you want, and see the chef make it in front of you – very Benihana like but much cheaper. After picking your food you get to sit wherever you want and eat it at your own discretion. TIP: Go for the pizza instead of the pasta if you are rushing – the waiting time is considerably less.
A London classic, Borough Market offers you the option to pick and mix your own lunch – whether it be pastries, cheese or locally sourced vegetable or have one of the ready made take away lunches offered by the stall owners. The small restaurants surrounding the market also offer a great option if you are looking for something else.
Rumour has it the best thing to have at The Fourteenth Colonie is beer – over 45 different types across the UK and US – but that does not mean it can’t be a good lunch spot, its menu includes classic snacks like chips and chicken bites but also a decent variety of well priced pizza options.
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Vapiano
(50 Artillery Ln, London E1 7LJ)
For delicious Mediterranean food, choose Ottolenghi. A classic lunch option, you can either go with a variety of salads from their salad bar or mix a main with salad and it will cost you less that £15.
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NE - Barbican, Spitalfields, Liverpool St
Most would know Yumchaa for its teas but the cozy Camden café Herman ze German also offers Sandwiches and cakes (43 Charlotte Street, London W1T 2NW) along with their tea. If working Praised by locals, despite its in the area, Yumchaa Camden stereotypical name, Herman ze would be the best option for a German boasts a great variety of relaxed lunch break with your wursts (delicious, we have been colleagues. Don’t forget to take a told) that will definitely keep you take-away cup of tea back to the going for the rest of the day. office, to have along with your rk afternoon snack. Camden- Islington – Regents Pa
Scandinavian Kitchen
(61 Great Titchfield Street, London W1W 7PP)
Great for anyone who loves fish, Scandinavian Kitchen is one of the best examples of unpretentious Scandinavian food in London. Lunch is the perfect time to come since they start serving their brunch options and the variety is larger.
Bosphorus Kebab
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(59 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3JS)
Slightly strange to find a Kebab shop in the elegant area of South Kensington but this place has been keeping its good name for a very long time. Named the best kebab in London by a few, its ridiculously small prices (especially for the area) and tasty food make it seem too good to be true.
Bugis Street Brasserie
(Millennium Hotels & Resorts, 4-18 Harrington Gardens, London SW7 4LH)
Named after a Singapore’s popular shopping street, Bugis Street Brasserie is the perfect option for a quick but fiery authentic lunch. SOUTH
KENSINGT ON
LIFESTYLE
Well-being THE NEW
TREND?
Every century has its specific elements that define wellbeing and happiness. In our metropolitan lives, the things that help us glow are love, health, friends, fun, a nice house, a good job‌ what is trendy mostly. You can tell now when a person is happy just by browsing through his or hers pictures from Instagram. The beautiful dishes, nice abs, a happy family, party time with friends, a dog, vacations, and a lot of other things, these are the elements that can contribute to their well-being.
R
emember the times when your Sims character had a green diamond above its head, and the rare times it started to glow because it reached the top level at all necessities? Well, that glowing diamond can now be characterised as well-being. As the Sims had aspirations and needed to have all wishes fulfilled in order to achieve happiness, guess what? We do, too!
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love, health, friends, fun, a nice house, a good job‌ everything that is trendy mostly... Going back to our little Sims fellows, their aspirations where to grow up, eat grilled cheese, and get some romance, a family, fortune, knowledge, pleasure and popularity. We have a bio individuality now which means that each person has a very specific set of needs for his or her own health according to ancestry, age, constitutions, size, gender and lifestyle. The smoothies are the stars currently. Drinking nutritionally rich broths as
Laura Toma soups or drinks is in, closely followed by the social media meals. These are the beautiful, artistic and very appetizing meals from Instagram and Twitter. Maybe it is time to revive the renaissance when the human body was so appreciated. More and more people learn to appreciate the health of their body, and invest in it by working out. From the classical jogging to the usual gym workout and to the next level: we have now suspension training. A redeveloped workout program, based on rope training (early 1800), is a strength training that uses a system of ropes and webbing that aim to develop strength followed by balance, flexibility and joint stability simultaneously. The most popular equipment used for this training is TRX (Total Resistance eXercise). For relaxation, traveling is the key and the top 3 destinations nominated by Lonely Planet are Tunisia, South Africa and Shanghai. Do go and discover the places you have always dreamed of. The main point is to travel to places that can offer you new experiences that can help you grow and get to know yourself better, discover
And why not make a wall full of memories of what you love?
the people around you, and not lastly make you happy. And the most important aspect of your trip: Instagram it all. But loving yourself in ultimately the most important thing. So here we have the self-acceptance we all work on, as well as we can. The therapist’s place has been fast replaced by group workshops about how to love and accept yourself. Interesting, right? Well-being these days is about loving and accepting yourself, investing in your health, taking care of your dearest ones, relaxing, having fun, in one world achieve HAPPINESS.
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WHAT ARE
You
WEARING? Andreea, 24, law
Luciana, 26, media industry Q: How would you describe your style?
Andreea: I would like to think of myself as adventurous, but I’m definitely not when it comes to clothes. I’m actually quite conservative, although I do like to add a pop of color or a glamorous accessory.
Luciana: Casual & feminine. I like to ad a bold element to my outfit, from shoes to accessories. I belive in simplicity, and I try to avoid mainstream clothes. I also have a thing for quality, although sometimes I get caught by the fast fashion fever :)
Q: What is your ideal outfit for work? Andreea: The nature of my job imposes an office attire. I usually prefer a bodycon dress with a matching blazer. I normally go for black or navy, but i like to add a bit of color through my accessories.
Luciana: Pencil skirt, shirt and very comfortable shoes.
Q: Do you remember what you have worn for your first interview? Andreea: For my first interview I wore an office black dress with a color-block blazer: black and green. My accessories were very discrete and wore black shoes. Interviews most often require serious clothing, but I believe that wearing a bit of color makes you stand out from the crowd.
Luciana: Yes I do! A floral printed above the knee dress in black, white and a bit of pale pink, heeled sandals & a cream trench. I also had a mediumsized black clutch. I tried to stand out through good taste, but also boldness as my interview was for a fashion magazine.
Q: Any funny experience at work/interview with your outfit? Andreea: Apart from the usual incidents with ripped tights, no. At least not to me. But I did go to an interview where the office had seriously powerful lights and the lady next to me had a somehow see-through white blouse. She accessorized it with red cheeks.
Luciana: Well, I do have a thing for pencil skirts, although I don’t like them super tight - and yes it can be challenging to find the right one- so one day I dared to wear a nice just above the knee one at work and didn’t realise it was about to be a pretty long day with lots of meetings and a few stairs to climb. So I had to pretend that I’ve been to gym with a day before to explain my slow walking speed. Obviously no one belived me!
WORK in progress