From Work to Drinks with ILEX London #OOTD

I would love to be someone who can get away with wearing any random (but stylish) thing to work. But I cannot. I work in the City and to be honest, enjoy the slightly formal dress code. It definitely makes me feel more confident (I admit, there are times I look into the mirror when wearing a suit and feel mighty pleased!). And where and when else in life would I have the chance to wear a smart suit?

But I am guessing you are not particularly interested in reading about how awesome (I think) I look in my work wear but are more interested to know how you can look awesome in your work wear. Read on.

I have written about work wear quite a bit. But since summer is here I realise it’s not enough that your work wear works for works (sorry, that was horrible language but I love it so I am going to leave it as is!). Basically, your work outfit has look good outside the office too. For after work drinks and cocktails, for a movie or show or fancy and fun dinners. After immense research, analysis and brain storming I present to your my first post on my work to drinks outfit.

Outfit details: Mango white chiffon shirt, H&M strappy heels, Topshop trousers, chanky gold chain necklace from ASOS, gold trimmed round rimmed shades from Stradivarius and structured leather bag from ILEX London.

If you must change, change only one item has been my mantra. So for the evening, I switched to a delicate white camisole top with silver specks on them from Forever New. But I did also switch out my necklace (and apparently my mood!) to a lovely red beaded one with a wooden clasp from Anokhi.

Tip: But definitely do not change your bag. I have learnt it the hard way – don’t switch bags from work to drinks. Choose a bag that works for work and drinks so you dont have to switch. I have left keys, phones and other essentials trying to switch bags while changing. You will invariably be running late and you don’t need the added stress.

When ILEX London generously offered to let me choose the bag, I first searched for the biggest ones I could find – these are so convenient for work. You can dump everything in it. But then again, they look so clumsy being dragged around a nice bar. So I decided to choose this one in a decent size and a sleek structured shape. This one turned out to be quite the perfect size – my shoes, wallet and coffee flask fits but its still not too bulky.

One of the first things I noticed about the bag is the quality hardware. Especially at work, you want a good quality bag and hardware is a dead giveaway. As I have mentioned before, I do love leather but try and not use it too much (I feel guilty!). I made an exception for this since I know I will probably use this bag for the next year or so on a  daily basis. Its made of calf leather so I expect it will stay put and not disintegrate like the high street brands.

Let me know if this post was helpful. I hope to make this a short series showing you the same outfit styled from day to night, work to fun and so on since this is something I do quite a bit. Hope this will give you some ideas and I would love to hear (or even better, see) your ideas as well. I am up with anything that cuts down on commuting and helps you look good and leaves more time for fun!

The bag has been provided to Fashion and Frappes as a PR sample.

– Anisha