10 new wardrobe essentials to get you noticed at work

Whether you’re preparing for your first day at work or you just feel like workwear has turned rather uninspiring of late i.e. your colleagues have caught you wearing the same boring pencil skirt twice this week now (unless you’ve taken a leaf out of our pencil-skirt shopping guide), the quickest way to get your co-workers and bosses to notice you (besides doing your job, of course) is…*drumroll* to switch things up in your closet.

A pop of bold colour here and a bit of silhouette play for your office outfit will make you stand out better than before.

And you don’t necessarily have to invest in a whole new wardrobe just to impress them (well, if you must, you definitely should go here); just pick a few of the following items (that look stylish and seasonless) and your colleagues will soon be coming to you to ask for fashion advice.

Related: Best dressed celeb Insta-pics of the week: Jeanette Aw, Carina Lau, Angelababy and more; It’s official: This is our favourite new designer bag

If your wardrobe is predominantly filled with black and white pieces, and you’re in need of a quick overhaul, this striped skirt can offer some help.

The ruffled hem and asymmetric design inject a dose of fun in your day outfit. Go here for a more complete guide to skirts for the busy girl that you are, but otherwise, stick to a light palette for the rest of your outfit to keep you looking cool and chic in the summer heat.

Striped ruffled skirt, $59.90 by Zara. Available at Zara online store

Related: Best dressed celeb Insta-pics of the week: Jeanette Aw, Carina Lau, Angelababy and more; It’s official: This is our favourite new designer bag

While we have written about bracelets before (go to our story here), accessorising your workwear can be tricky; wear anything too flashy and you’ll risk looking like you’re ready for partying instead of working.

So pare down the bling and reach for this limited edition Carrie K. bracelet instead. The brand’s founder Carolyn Kan, which we interviewed for a video story recently, has specially designed for our Nation’s 52nd birthday this year; this metallic red bracelet commands just the right amount of attention to make your outfit stand out.

Singapore Edition Nut & Bolt Leather bracelet, $198 by Carrie K. Available from August 5, 2017 at Carrie K. online store

Related: Best dressed celeb Insta-pics of the week: Jeanette Aw, Carina Lau, Angelababy and more; It’s official: This is our favourite new designer bag

Not too casual and not entirely serious, a leather jacket is always a versatile replacement for the boring black jacket.

While we had introduced 5 versions to you before (go check out the story here), this version however is a relaxed style, and will help you exude the coolness of a tough biker girl. In other words: your colleagues won’t dare to mess with you.

Biker jacket, $799 by Topshop Boutique. Available at Topshop online store

Related: Best dressed celeb Insta-pics of the week: Jeanette Aw, Carina Lau, Angelababy and more; It’s official: This is our favourite new designer bag

Do you love wearing pants more than skirts? Then you’ll have to get this pair of flowing trousers that gives you complete freedom of movement wherever you go.

And since it’s highwaisted, it also gives the illusion of longer legs. Match it with a slogan t-shirt and blazer and you’re ready for the boardroom meeting.

Flowing Palazzo trousers, $89.90 by Zara. Available at Zara online store

In-between commutes, and in-and-out of client meetings, you can always count on a pair of sunnies (read our celebrity-sunglass shopping guide here) to help you block out the UV rays outdoors.

Or it comes in handy when you want to hide your dark eye circles or block out an irritating ex when you bump into him on the MRT. This stylish pair exudes major “Who’s that girl?” vibes to onlookers – a girl always need to cultivate some form of aura.

Otherwise in the office, you can have it slung down your blouse collar – it gives the impression that you’re a girl who’s always got some place to go, on the move securing contacts and contracts.

Scenique sunglasses, $505 by Miu Miu.

One of the classic items to have in your work wardrobe is the white shirt. But for the truly stylish ladies, we know you’ll want to take it up a notch.

Reach for this version, the brainchild of H&M and Parisian concept store Collete. Look closely and you’ll realise that there are hand-painted graffiti prints on it, adding more ‘texture’ to the seemingly simple wardrobe staple.

The rounded front hems also gives the wearer a certain edge.

Shirt, $190.04 by H&M Studio. Available from September 14, 2017 at H&M Orchard Building

There are bags that are designed strictly for work; then there are those that are for casual weekends.

This two-tone Celine Cabas tote is somewhere in between. It’s easy to keep your belongings (just toss everything in!).

Not only will its pop of colours cheer up everyone around you but make this bag extra Instagram-worthy too.

Small Cabas tote in orange and flamingo, $1,650 by Celine

For casual Fridays, go ahead and swap your heels for a pair of stylish and sporty-looking sneakers, like the new L.12.12. The best part?

This off-duty essential goes well with almost every outfit that you already have in your closet—from pyjama shirts to ripped jeans. In short, this is going to be one of your better buys this season.

L.12.12 sneakers, $199 by Lacoste. Available at all Lacoste stores

Navigating your way through office talk with your colleagues and bosses can be a little tough, especially when you’re the newbie.

This is when COS’s new geometric heels come into play. It may look like a pair of normal work heels from the front but the slim block heels at the back are set to make people do a double take.

Geometric heel, $275 by COS. Available from August 2017

The eighth collaboration between renowned French model slash style icon Ines de La Fressange and Japanese fashion label Uniqlo is slated for release and its first drop will be in September.

One of the many designs that we’ve set our eyes on is this eye-catching pullover. Besides keeping your warm in the office, we think its bold hue serves as the perfect go-to for beating those Monday blues too!

Sweater, $129.90 by Uniqlo. Available from September 1, 2017