How To ‘Fashion Girl’ Your Workwear, According To 4 Style Insiders
From oversized tailoring and office-appropriate denim to hardworking accessories, read on to discover the pieces loved by four women in business – and their top tips for nailing chic on-duty style
Kat from finance
Known as her online persona, Kat from finance, Kat has flipped perceptions of stuffy corporate dress codes with her directional workwear and avant-garde poses. Based in London, she works – you guessed it – in finance and shares daily outfit posts from the office bathroom with her social-media followers (41k on Instagram, 54k on TikTok and counting). Her favorite brands include Saint Laurent, The Row, Toteme, and Maison Margiela.
“I wasn’t seeing many people talking about office style in a way that felt fun or expressive,” says Kat, on why she began documenting her work outfits online. “The internet was full of weekend fits and streetwear, but workwear? It felt forgotten – or like it had to be boring by design. I wanted to challenge that idea… I think it’s resonated because so many of us are trying to bring more personality into traditionally rigid environments.
“I’m a big fan of exaggerated silhouettes and the unapologetic energy of ’80s style – there’s something so commanding about it. I always come back to Grace Jones – her ability to merge fashion, art and power is still unmatched. I also love Sigourney Weaver in Working Girl (the wardrobe is iconic), and, of course, Glenn Close in just about anything – Fatal Attraction and Dangerous Liaisons included. The shoulder pads, the structure… It commands attention.”
Kat’s top office-styling tip? “Start with something classic – sharp tailoring, clean lines – and then twist it. Add an unexpected texture or a bold accessory. The aim is always balance – you want to feel powerful without looking like you’re in costume. For me, style at work is about control and intention. It doesn’t have to scream to say something.
“I’m a big believer in playing with volume and contrast. If the bottom half is wide and oversized, I’ll keep the top more fitted – or the other way around. I’m also conscious of how pieces sit on the body: where a hem lands, how a sleeve drapes, the length of a jacket. Belts form an integral part of my looks too – especially when I want to bring shape back into something more architectural.” @katfromfinance
Rajni Jacques, global head of fashion and beauty at Snapchat
Rajni Jacques is the global head of fashion and beauty at Snapchat and lives in New York, where she’s often spotted dashing between shows during fashion week in a seriously chic outfit. She has a penchant for denim and likes to bring an element of the unexpected to her workwear staples.
“All my jobs have been in creative fields, which I think allows you to have more fun and experiment with what you wear to the office. It can be trend-driven, but it can also be classic and comfortable, which is probably where I fall more.
“My style has always been anchored in denim as a foundation, so I’ll often wear jeans to the office – I love the exaggerated shapes of Haikure’s denim, which adds extra flair to my look. Other non-negotiables include a cinched, strong-shouldered blazer (the shape alone commands attention); a bodysuit; the perfect pair of pants (I always have a pair in black or gray); a crisp tee; and a classic black heel.
“When dressing in a corporate setting, read the room and analyze the environment to figure out what you can and can’t push boundaries on. For me, short shorts and cropped tops (unless accompanied with high-waisted pants or jeans that show only a sliver of skin) are a no-go. I’m a ‘casual’ dresser, but I love to elevate my look with accessories, especially anything by Dries Van Noten.”
“I’m sure I got enticed by a couple of trends when I was younger, but for the most part, I have a strong sense of what works well on my body and what I feel confident in. I like wearing pieces that I can pass down or hold onto, knowing they will still be loved years later. I love Another Tomorrow for chic foundation pieces, Wales Bonner for sporty silhouettes, and Sacai for unexpected fabric combinations and fun proportions.” @rajni_jacques
Pippa Lamb, venture capital investor
Pippa Lamb is a venture capitalist who invests in startups and later-stage companies. She travels all over the world for work and has perfected the art of packing for everything from entrepreneurial pitches to government meetings.
“In my job, I’m always on duty – there’s less of a formal office routine than in other areas of finance, compared to, say, when I used to work in a bank and there was a strict dress code. As a result, I don’t tend to dress differently throughout the week, whether I’m meeting a founder for a pitch or joining a board meeting. The only exception is government meetings, be it in Washington DC or London. On those occasions, I dress more formally with tailored accents such as a structured blazer or a longer jacket.
“I’m someone who dresses very much according to my mood or the occasion. Since I’m always on the road with work, it’s often more a question of climate. Generally speaking, I’m a big fan of mixing classic staples with more casual items, like a vintage sports jersey or an oversized tee.
“My advice to anyone stuck in a bit of a style rut would be to dress in the way that makes you feel most confident. You can never go wrong with a well-cut white shirt. A girlfriend recommended Victoria Beckham’s shirts to me a while back, and they’ve never disappointed. Other essentials for me right now include a great pair of knee-high boots that I’ll pair with a knitted dress; fitted pants either with a shirt or an oversized sweater; and a good blazer.” @pippalamb
Thandi Maqubela, legal director
Thandi Maqubela is a legal director based in London and is co-founder of the Lawyers’ Dining Club, which brings together a community of female lawyers. Her workwear formula includes a classic pair of tailored black pants, a maxi dress, a cream blazer and glossy black slingbacks.
“If I had to describe my workwear, I’d say it’s smart, understated, composed and not flashy – which, on reflection, mirrors how I would describe my leadership style. I tend to go for structured dresses, often with a defined waistline, and I quite like wearing maxi-length dresses in the office. I like to lean into my femininity in terms of how I choose to dress at work. I think it’s because I don’t believe women have to forgo this attribute to succeed in the workplace.
“My personal [office wear] dos and don’ts are probably a hangover from the early days of my career when we had a consultant brought in to talk to my cohort about how to dress for work (I started in a very traditional law firm!). I’m very mindful of not showing too much skin, and I will always have a jacket or cardi to hand in case of meetings; no open-toe shoes, and definitely no exposed midriffs. Other than that, I think it’s fair game. I genuinely believe that clothes are a valid tool for self-expression in the workplace – they don’t detract from the capable lawyer I am. I’d encourage women to enjoy and have fun with their workwear. We spend an awful lot of time at work, so why not make it enjoyable?
“I have a weakness for all things Proenza Schouler when it comes to workwear. I have a black-and-white knitted midaxi dress that I have relied on for significant meetings and presentations when I need that extra confidence boost. Other brands I love include Róhe, which makes the best blouses; Toteme, for good foundational basics that are not boring, while equally being easy to wear with most pieces in my wardrobe; Blazé Milano (its blazers are in a league of their own); and Ferragamo, for bags and shoes that are perfect for the office.” @thandimaq
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