7 fashion pieces to get you through work until the summer holiday hits

What’s an almost out-of-office uniform?

With the countdown to Christmas holidays well under way for many people, our working wardrobes start to change in preparation for mornings without alarm clocks. Think of it as “quiet holidaying”, a less extreme version of the “quiet quitting” trend of 2022. (Remember that? When employees did the bare minimum of work required by their contracts, absolutely shunning any kind of “above and beyond” performance.)

That sleeveless knit top, for example, may be perfect for a morning meeting, but subtly signals that clients shouldn’t expect any replies to emails sent after 4.30pm. Oh, and said meeting? It had better be scheduled for after 10am.

Leather thongs signal beach readiness without succumbing to “let-it-all-hang-out” Havaianas and are an opportunity to showcase summer pedicures. A clear polish or nude shade is suitable for the morning commute; consider dark cherry a power move.

Meanwhile, start transitioning out of restrictive tailoring, layering with light knitwear instead of bulky blazers. Low-waisted skirts and pants do away with any need for belt-tightening but, in basic black, still convey competence.

Shorts and baseball caps are obvious signs that you’re already thinking of a time when a mai tai instead of a double espresso will get you through the 2pm slump. Trousers and longer skirts perform double duty at after-hours drinks.

Hold back on any kind of festive accessories for now, allowing minimalist fine jewellery to take care of business until pieces with more personality than the office kitchen can handle are truly able to shine. The same applies to handbags, even if your corporate, black-leather tote is already bulging with the latest summer blockbuster.

Hang in there: pretty soon, the only thing that has to be black and white will be the pages of that book!

Got a style conundrum? Email damien.woolnough@nine.com.au

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