Six things we learned about workwear from ieStyle Live 2021

Take these twists on contemporary office garb into your back-to-office rotation

Hybrid dressing is the way into a new world of work and play, says Annmarie O'Connor

Annmarie O’Connor joined Sonya Lennon ‘from the couch’ for the Irish Examiner’s ieStyle Live show. 

Here she shared 6 twists on workwear trends that have come to define our hybrid lifestyles and our wardrobes. Catch up with her findings here.

THE SMART CO-ORDS

In the spirit of hybrid dressing, the sporty tux co-ord is your AM-to-PM bestie. Upgrades like canny colour-blocking and sharp silhouettes confidently combine to see you from 9-5 to after-hours networking.

• Lennon Courtney sports top, Dunnes Stores, €40 (available from November)
• Lennon Courtney tux trousers Dunnes Stores, €50 (available from November)
• Shoes and earrings, Annmarie’s own

THE NEW SUITING RULES

Reimagine work suit formalities with relaxed proportions and Zoom-friendly colours. Go jacket-free with a shirt and cardigan pairing or layer the lot as a cosy corporate ensemble.

• Suit jacket, Zara, €59.95 
• Suit trousers, Zara, €39.95 
• Shirt, Zara, €39.95 
• Cardigan, Zara, €29.95 
• Shoes, Zara, €39.95 

THE BUSINESS CASUAL EQUATION

Looking to crack the business casual dress code? Think softer, less restrictive iterations of classic office wear. Relax a coat with longlines, swap a collar for a roll neck and crop the hem of a trouser. Add trainers and get to work.

• Harris Wharf long boxy paprika coat, Samui, €570 
• Acne Studios striped trousers, Samui, €390 
• Vince Donegal ribbed roll neck jumper, Samui, €485 
• Veja Velcro strap sneakers, Samui, €145 

THE SAVVY SEPARATES

What do you get when you cross rich autumnal shades and textures with boxy shapes and subtly clashing prints? A feelgood pumpkin spice latte moment that’ll warm up even the chilliest workday.

• Weekend MaxMara Harris Tweed coat, Brown Thomas, €600 
• Reiss sleeveless cashmere roll neck top, Brown Thomas, €185 
• Samsøe Samsøe ‘Zoe’ V-neck sweater, Brown Thomas, €189 
• Weekend MaxMara pure new wool trousers, Brown Thomas, €205 
• Kate Spade ‘Knott’ crossbody saddle bag, Brown Thomas, €295 
• L.K.Bennett ‘Samantha’ snaffle courts, Brown Thomas, €310 

THE TRANS-SEASONAL

Sharpen up a whimsical dress with a kimono-style gilet. Equal parts tactile and tailored, consider this an antidote to traditional tailoring, especially when paired with feet-friendly platform boots.

• Recycled polyester gilet (55% shell: 100% lining), H&M, €44.99 
• Recycled polyester dress (60%), H&M, €39.99 
• Platform sole ankle boots, H&M, €34.99 

THE TWINSET TWIST

A knitted twinset may be timeless but it’s high time we gave ‘waist-up’ dressing an extended holiday. Revel instead in a sweater and skirt pairing that demands to be seen from head-to-toe.

• Victoria Victoria Beckham colour-block sweater, Brown Thomas, €260 
• Victoria Victoria Beckham colour-block skirt, Brown Thomas, €290 
• Steve Madden chunky sole boots, Brown Thomas, €160 

STOCKISTS:

• Brown Thomas – St Patrick’s Street, Cork 021-4805555; www.brownthomas.com 
• Dunnes Stores – Bishopstown, Cork 021-4345111; www.dunnesstores.ie 
• H&M – Opera Lane, Cork 01-5255777; www.operalane.ie 
• Meadows & Byrne – Blarney Woollen Mills, Cork 021-4344100; www.meadowsandbyrne.com 
• Samui - Drawbridge Street, Cork 021-4278080; www.samuifashions.com 
• Zara – Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Cork 021-4972800; www.mahonpointsc.ie

CREDITS:

• Shot on location at The Glasshouse bar at The Montenotte Hotel, Cork; www.themontenottehotel.com 
• Photographer: Miki Barlok; www.barlokphoto.com
• Stylist: Annmarie O’Connor; www.annmarieoconnor.me 
• Hair: Callum O’Donovan @ The Edge, Cork; www.edgehairdesigncork.ie 
• MUA: Lola Desmond; @lizzydesmond 
• Stylist’s assistant: Hannah McCarthy