Holly models her new range for Very, which would be perfect for work
When it comes to women making a statement in the modern British office, the biggest faux pas is to power dress.
Instead of expensive designer wear, heels and lots of make-up, the looks likely to earn respect and admiring glances are seasonal colours and the ‘easy glamour’ of Holly Willoughby – and that’s according to office-working women.
According to research of 1,000 female office workers aged 18-40 by online fashion retailer Very.co.uk, TV personality and working mum Willoughby has the best look for a modern British office, followed by actress Emma Watson.
Their cool and casual look trumped the formality of business personalities such as Karren Brady, Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry and Dragons Den’s Hilary Devey - known for her shoulder pads and ‘OTT’ make-up . The full top ten list is as follows:
1. Holly Willoughy
2. Emma Watson
3. Karren Brady
5. Alexa Chung
6. Abbey Clancy
7. Lauren Goodger
8. Tulisa
9. Michelle Dewberry
10. Hilary Devey
How not to get ahead
The biggest boob a woman can make among her fellow colleagues is to have too much on display - with the most unacceptable looks being displaying too much cleavage, wearing a mini-skirts or having too much make-up.
Commenting on the findings, Julie Donnelly, Head of Womanswear Buying at Very.co.uk said: “The office is the new catwalk and fashion doesn’t stop during office hours. Instead of trying to make a power statement or impress ‘the boys’, the ‘easy glamour’ exhibited by Holly Willoughby, individuality and not trying too hard comprise the modern office dress code - and that can only be a good thing.”
Women don’t try too hard for work
Rather than the old cliché of the 80s where power dressing and revealing looks to impress male colleagues were all the rage, the findings reveal how the majority of women want to look like they’ve not tried too hard - and wear clothes no different from those worn on nights out with friends. Perhaps it’s no surprise then that on average women need just 17 minutes to get ready in the morning – with those in London taking the longest at 21 minutes.
Femalefirst Taryn Davies