Just because you've landed the dream job doesn't mean you're a grown up all the time. But when you've got a big Monday morning meeting where you need to impress your boss and you've had a weekend which hasn't involved more than six hours of sleep, your clothes can make up for your exhaustion.
Here's how:
Be the pencil
No matter what your body shape is, the pencil skirt will make you look hot and smart, in one fell swoop. Opt for a patterned side-split version to avoid the maître d’ look, bare legs (if you can face it) and some court shoes that show you mean business.
In photos: Court shoes, £415 Gianvito Rossi at Matches Fashion; Ponyskin Skirt, £495 at Whistles (no longer available, try this one.) Blouse and handbag, my own.
1. Turtleneck, £308, Stella McCartney at FarFetch 2. Leopard-print Atomic skirt, £120, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi at Shopbop 3. Bea Mid Heel Court Shoe, £95, at Kurt Geiger 4. Pashli Textured Leather Mini Satchel, £486, 3.1 Phillip Lim at Lane Crawford
**Go for sensible yet snazzy shoes
**
Brogues don’t have to be boring – project your golden potential into the tips of your toes. Pair your shiny clodhoppers with a muted outfit that requires minimum thought from your exhausted brain, and you'll look sharp as a tack.
In photos: Metallic-toe Brogues, £390, Marni at Matches Fashion. Poloneck and skirt, my own.
[ASSETHERE=image]
1. Viscose Elastene Poloneck Top, £30, East at House Of Fraser 2. Asymmetric Zip Pencil Skirt, £29, M&Co 3. Faux pearl embellished leather brogues, £715, Simone Rocha at Net-a-Porter 4. Bettya Leather Pencil Skirt, £1,160, Isabel Marant at Matches Fashion
The monochrome twist
Black and white is a no brainer, but it can also get a little tired on the old retinas. We also know that busy patterns encourage brain activity. Stay classic with a white blazer and fitted black leather trousers, but let the pompoms (supplement with snakeskin/stripes/any jazzy pattern) be your cheerleaders.
[ASSETHERE=image]
In photos: Stretch-wool Blazer, £740 Tamara Mellon at Net-a-Porter. My own trousers, shoes and bag.
1. Cotton Blazer, £79, & Other Stories 2. Stretch Leather and Gabardine Leggings, £495, Joseph at My-Wardrobe 3. Gemma Embroidered Peep Toe Plaque Ankle Strap Heels, £30, Boohoo.com 4. Leather Doctor's Bag, £75, ASOS
Follow Pandora on Twitter @pinsykes
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.