Dressing For The Occasion: Modern Office Attire – Part Two

Office dress today is not the straightforward affair it once was. Depending on your industry (and often your city), business attire has evolved beyond the obligatory dark tailoring, solid tie and white shirt, with individuals now dressing to suit their profession and express their personality.
In part one we covered modes of dress for the City Slicker and Creative Urbanite. Today we take look at a further two office characters that place strong emphasis on tradition and functionality.

The Modern Media Exec

The Modern Media Exec likes to look sleek and smart without appearing overdressed. He’s the digital marketing coordinator or editor of a lifestyle publication and often finds himself in client-facing situations, building business relationships, deal-making and rolling out inspiring ideas and strategies for his brand.
Fusing tradition and modernity, he appreciates considered craftsmanship with a touch of contemporary styling. Not one to shy away from tailoring, he knows the importance of a well-cut jacket and will opt for a fine cloth in a slim-fit for a more modern feel. Brands such as A.P.C., Reiss, COS, Suitsupply and J.Crew strike just the right balance with their clean-lined, high quality tailoring.

• J. Crew Ludlow Sportcoat In Mini-houndstooth Cotton
• A.p.c. Cotton Blazer Beige
• Reiss Nassau B Three Button Textured Blazer Rose
• Reiss Nassau B Three Button Textured Blazer Light Blue
• Oliver Spencer Wardour Slim-fit Unstructured Linen Blazer
• Copenhagen Blue Plain

Forgoing the tie, which he perhaps perceives as a little stuffy, the Modern Media Exec may opt for a piece of fine-gauge knitwear in merino wool or cotton, swapping for a double-layered tee or knitted polo on a warmer day, with John Smedley, Uniqlo and Kilgour all go-to brands.

• John Smedley Belvoir Rollneck Merino Wool Sweater
• Uniqlo Men Cashmere V Neck Sweater A
• John Smedley Bobby Merino Wool V-neck Sweater
• Reiss Imperial Raw Edge Crew-neck T-shirt White
• Sunspel Cotton-jersey Polo Shirt
• He By Mango Textured Knit Polo Shirt

Not someone to neglect the bottom half of an outfit, the Modern Media Exec will favour a pair of slim-fitting tailored trousers or heavyweight twill chinos in a dark shade, which complement his sharp upper half.
He knows he’ll find something that fits the bill in Reiss, Jigsaw, Paul Smith or Massimo Dutti.

• He By Mango Slim-fit Suit Trousers
• Cerruti 1881 Paris Flat-front Tailored Trousers 189904
• Burberry London Slim-fit Cotton Trousers
• Reiss Aspley Lightweight Formal Trousers Light Blue
• Paul Smith Tailored Cotton Trousers
• Mini-oxford Structured Trousers

Footwear is a core investment for the Modern Media Exec, as he knows shoes can make or break an outfit, and imparting the right impression is of the utmost importance in those face-to-face client meetings.
Northampton-made shoes from brands such as Joseph Cheaney & Sons, John Lobb and Loake are all sensible bets, alongside more contemporary brands such as Armando Cabral, Mr. Hare and Tim Little.

• John Lobb Lopez Leather Penny Loafers
• Mr. Hare Leather Double Monk-strap Shoes
• Loake Brown Plain Derby Shoes
• Groundhog Blues Burnt Pine
• Loake Black Double Buckle Shoes
• Cheaney Hubert – Slip-ons – Blue

Accessories are just as important to this office character – he’s acutely aware they can be the perfect finishing touch to a look. A sleek tablet case and buttery-soft leather folio/briefcase will be on the agenda to store his numerous gadgets and stationery. Favoured brands may include Valextra, Want Les Essentials de La Vie, Ted Baker and Troubadour.
With a fickle climate on the cards, an umbrella is the final component to ensure his pristine outfit remains immaculate while dashing from train to office or desk to car. London Undercover, Fulton and Fox Umbrellas’ hand-crafted creations will provide exceptional shelter when Mother Nature shows her dark side.