Some of the best socialising there is to be had usually occurs straight from work, where you have neither the time nor the will to put thought into changing into a completely new evening attire, including blow-dry, nails, jewels, and so on.
This is a weekly challenge for me, where I find my diary booked out with dinners and drinks from 7pm, and I have to negotiate my way from Richmond through trains, tubes and the cobbled streets of Soho before I even step through the threshold of the destination bar or restaurant.
The requirements of a desk to dusk outfit must therefore read like a who's who of practical yet stylish underrated glamour.
Try these hero pieces to recover your stress-ridden body from raised cortisol levels and missing your grand entrance due to lateness.
1. Leather
Trousers and skirts cut in leather, real or faux, is a really easy way to update your look from office to bar. just change up the knit for a silk blouse, and half the battle is already won.
Trousers by Sportmax, knit by Carven, boots by Jil Sander, bag by Givenchy
Trousers as before, silk blouse by Veronica beard, bag by Alexander McQueen
-all via matchesfashion.com
2. The printed dress
A simply cut, printed sleeveless dress can be transformed with the help of a crisp shirt and knit. By day, swaddle yourself in a knit over the top of your dress, so it looks like you have separates on. By 6pm, whip off the knit, or take off the shirt you had on underneath the dress, add some heels et voila.
Dress by Antonio Berardi, knit by T by alexander wang, lace-up shoes by Lanvin, heels by Chelsea Paris, bag Valentino
-all by theoutnet.com
3. Lipstick
A high-gloss, deep berry lipstick will make even your tailored suit look a little less conservative when worn with a killer heel and embellished clutch. Wear the below look with Mac's 'Living Legend'.
Suit by Maison Martin Margiela, heels by Balenciaga, bag by DVF
-all at matcesfashion.com
Photo credit: Net-a-Porter, Matches Fashion, The Outnet
