The new colour combinations that will refresh your 9-5 uniform
There are still five weeks to wait until spring and quite frankly the only way I will get there is to wear as much colour in the interim as possible. There’s a knock on effect of wearing it - not only does it make you feel generally more positive, it radiates confidence to colleagues and commuters alike.
I can get a bit stuck with the colours I pair together, but a quick session on instagram or a flick through a magazine always inspires me to refresh my approach. John Lewis and Partners champions punchy hues with the aim that you can build up layers of a wardrobe around the stronger tones. Pair the apple-green wool trousers with either a pale yellow knit or a stronger turquoise blouse: both combinations hit the happy-making spot. Having veered away from it in the past, I have come to appreciate lilac’s versatility - probably mind washed by seeing the cool Scandinavian fashion crowd wearing it with yellows, oranges and blues at Copenhagen fashion week; ice blue complements it particularly well.
The Duchess of Sussex’s purple dress and scarlet coat ensemble of a few weeks ago hit every front page, and while this might feel too regal a combination for workwear, if you swap the purple for pink it’s a much easier pairing. LK Bennett’s red knit with a pink stripe would look great with soft pink tailored trousers. Or opt for the fool-proof option and choose a piece that does the work for you, like Finery’s colour-block dress.
Funnel neck blouse, ￡160, Cefinn and Wool trousers, ￡99, John Lewis; Ribbed T-shirt, ￡75, LK Bennett; Tia coat, ￡279, Hobbs
Of course, you can also pair any of these colourful pieces with a classic white shirt or navy tailoring on days when a colour-clash feels too bold. Either way, the key is to inject some life into your wardrobe - and there are myriad options to suit every workplace. The only real rule to stick to is choosing a shade that you know suits you to wear nearest your face.
The last problem to solve is footwear, as black will look too heavy with any of these brights. I highly recommend a pair of white kitten heels or boots, or a print in a neutral shade, such as a snakeskin. I repeat, only five more weeks to go...