Going back to work after roughly six months of wearing maternity wear and another four months of throwing on whatever I have lying around (since I've been so focused on adapting to life with a newborn) is the perfect excuse for a spot of retail therapy, don't you think? Fortunately I've managed to lose my baby weight fairly quickly and easily (that's another blog series all on its own!), so I still fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes and have a basic wardrobe to build on, but I'm in dire need of a few on-trend pieces and smart - yet stylish - basics to wear to work.
These are just a few work-appropriate garments that have inspired me or made it onto my shopping list - let me know if you spot any similar items in South African stores. I'll be introducing the occasional outfit post featuring my finds in the not-too-distant future, so keep an eye out for those - hopefully I'll have a few of these to show off soon!
COBALT TUNIC
Or cobalt anything, for that matter. Jewel tones seem to be playing a starring role in winter fashion and since Emerald is the Pantone colour of 2013, I expect this trend to stick around well into summer. I've tried several jewel-toned pieces and I've found that cobalt suits me best. I don't know what it is, but there's something about this vibrant shade that makes my complexion look more radiant and my cheeks look a little rosier. I'm on the lookout for a cobalt tunic that I can wear with leggings, as I spend quite a bit of my work life either in the studio or on location at beauty shoots and even more than looking good, comfort is my number one priority. Bonus if I can do both!
PRETTY SCARF
I did a post featuring all my favourite scarves I've come across in stores and online just last week. I think scarves are an important addition to any wardrobe, as they provide not only warmth, but plenty of styling options too. You can wear the same outfit two days in a row, but add a scarf and I can guarantee that most people will hardly notice.
MONOCHROME DRESS
Black and white seems to be a huge trend this winter - exciting news for someone who pretty much lives in neutral shades of black, white and grey. I spotted several paneled black and white dresses on the winter runways, and I've had my heart set on one ever since. I'd pair mine with my black, peep-toe heels and wear it to evening functions, a fancy product launch or date night with my hubby.
FLORAL TROUSERS
I'm cheating here because I've already found my perfect pair (from Woolworths) and I've been wearing them literally every chance I get. To be fair, these have been on my lust list for quite some time. I'm all for easy dressing and tend to wear a lot of black (because it's easy, you see!), so printed trousers really appeal to me because I can look fashionable in a flash, simply by pulling on a pair of statement-making trousers with my usual black tee, black blazer and heels. They're not for everyone (my mom says I look like I'm wearing curtains and my husband admits to thinking that they're pretty garish), but I love them and they make me feel good, which is what fashion is all about, isn't it?
QUILTED HANDBAG, a la CHANEL
Again, cheating just a little bit: I already have a gorgeous quilted handbag that my husband bought me for my birthday. I've been lusting after a Chanel lookalike for as long as I can remember, so it's safe to say that this is one of the best birthday gifts I've ever received. I still haven't used it (and my birthday was in March!), so I'm really looking forward to showing it off on Thursday.
PRETTY PUMPS
These gorgeous jewelled Miu Miu pumps make my heart skip a beat. I've always been more of a heels girl and I owned just four pairs of flats before I fell pregnant (a pair of hiking boots, a pair of Converse sneakers that were bought for OppiKoppi a few years ago and still make the occasional appearance at a gig here or there, a pair of running shoes that haven't seen the light of day, and a pair of black pumps, which were only ever worn on shoot days - sometimes). When I fell pregnant I became super-paranoid and was terrified that I'd trip and break my ankle or - worse - harm my unborn baby, so I immediately went out and bought nude pumps and red pumps. I even bought a pair of gold Havaianas to change into after the formal ceremony on my wedding day. Don't let this fool you: I am still, by and large, a heels girl but I am in the habit of carrying an 8kg baby around on a daily basis and I'm even more terrified that I'll slip and drop him, so flats are still a very important - and essential - part of my wardrobe. And I need a pair of bejewelled pretties to wear to work.
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