Despite working in the City of London 25 years ago, I have never ventured beyond the Millenium Dome/O2 Docklands Area into Canary Wharf.  The whole area saw a huge regeneration, firstly for marking the turn of the century with the Millenium Dome (now O2 Arena) and then as sporting and accommodation venues for hosting the Olympic Games in 2012. 

I can remember being taken on a work tour of the Millenium Dome when it was a building site, then attending the actual exhibitions inside once the Dome opened to the public so its really interesting to have been able to go and see live music there at the venue in its current form especially as the Dome was never originally intended to be a permanent structure.

The new Elizabeth Line on the Underground makes getting to Canary Wharf so much easier than it was 25 years ago when the DLR was the only option with restricted operating hours.  Just a few stops out of Paddington Station and you emerge beneath the skyscrapers like one of the candidates in ‘The Apprentice’ so it was the perfect venue for our ‘Professional Chic’ photo shoot!

This Checked Blazer and Trousers in Grey Prince of Wales Check has a pop of “Red London” running through it!  It’s a timeless pattern that I have talked about in a previous blog and brings a touch of sophistication with a little bit of fun in the form of two quirky pin badges which you can opt to wear or not depending on your style personality.   The suit is sold as separates so that you can mix and match with other pieces if you don’t want to wear the check from head to toe.

When it comes to professional workwear many people think of Black and White as a standard Corporate dress code, especially in London.  Even in the film “Mary Poppins” you can see this expressed in white shirts and pinstripe trousers (although nowadays the Bankers are more likely to carry tablets than newspapers!).

The clever Design Team in France have taken this classic image and turned it up a notch with Sporty Chic Striped Trousers in Black for an elegant and modern look.  The fine stripe details in these straight cut trousers are not just great to look at, but super comfy too as there is a touch of elastane in the fabric for a bit of stretch and an elasticated waist at the back for a bit of forgiveness after your working lunches!  Its also part of our Planet Tortue eco range and available in sizes UK8 to UK20.

Pair with the 100% Viscose long sleeved Lurex Trim Shirt in Ecru for a little sparkle detail to transform your look in the blink of an eye. The silver, black and bronze lurex braid stripe runs all the way down the placket and there is a little bit of smocking in the middle of the book.

You can’t go wrong with a classic black blazer.  This Chic Blazer features a printed lining which can be revealed by turning back the cuffs on the sleeve.  Straight cut with a metal button, again with a touch of elastane in the fabric mix for a little bit of give.  Available in sizes UK4 to UK22 and part of the Planet Tortue eco range.

In Canary Wharf there are LOTS of people moving around as you would expect but surprisingly its more chilled than across the river in the City - probably as there is surprisingly little traffic on the roads and plenty of green spaces to escape to.

As an alternative to the White Metallic Shirt, the Paisley Print Shirt in Grey is lined front & back and really picks out the pinstripe of the trousers and is a slightly warmer alternative to the cool tones of the ecru blouse.  Crafted from printed voile it is quick drying and very forgiving from creasing.  The sleeves are ¾ length with a subtle clear sequin band which matches the sequin detailing at the V neck.   

Walking around the wider Canary Wharf area, especially where the little green park spaces are it felt very much like Manhattan in New York, but also quite European with tree lined avenues and lamp posts that wouldn’t be amiss on the streets of Paris!    Basically my brain felt totally confused!!

You can get the New York Chic look by pairing our “zebra” Printed Blouse with Black Wide Leg Trousers featuring an asymmetric belt.

This gorgeous 100% Ecovero Viscose straight cut blouse is part of our Planet Tortue eco range, with dainty sparkling details across the front of the yoke and a hollow pleat to the front.  The bottom of the blouse and the cuffs are ribbed lurex which means that when you push up the sleeves they should stay in place which is very handy!

The Asymmetrical Belt Trousers In Black will help you stand out from the crowd – they really are the perfect City Trousers and a great piece to use as the basis of your Workwear Capsule Wardrobe with straight fly, offset waistband with metallic buttons and Italian pockets.  The rear pockets are actually false pockets with a cinching in dart and marked pleats down the wide legs.    

Even better – these trousers will pair nicely with the White Metallic Shirt and Paisley Print Shirt in Grey before you slip on the Chic Blazer with Printed Lining and your workwear capsule wardrobe is taking shape!

As Autumn merges into Winter and the wind picks up an outer layer will be needed for the office commute.

This gorgeous Two Tone Peacoat in Beige is simply stunning with its contrasts and jewelled details.  It’s the perfect dress up/dress down item in neutral shades that pairs fabulously with the Asymmetrical Belt Trousers again for work or opt for Black Jeans when off duty instead.

This fully lined straight cut coat finishes at hip length and fastens with just one button to the front.  There are decorative contrast black stripes with buttons running along the length of the sleeves and a large patch pocket to oneside featuring a very cute crown embellishment  … and by the way its also part of our Planet Tortue eco range!

Wear it with the Ruffle Shirt With Embroidery in Black for a stand out wardrobe essential!  Not just the delicate ruffles on the front, but discreet lurex embroidery across the shoulder yoke with small gathers on the front and back too.  The sleeves are long and slightly puffed with a small buttoned cuff – perfect for taking your day look into the evening if going out for drinks after work.   This piece is made from 100% recycled polyester so not just an eco range item but ideal if you travel for work as it is less prone to creasing when you roll it to pack.

I now “get” why people choose to live in Canary Wharf.  As well as the professional city vibe there are vibrant art installations dotted all around and a network of sub-terranean shopping malls and eateries  featuring cuisines from around the world which reminded me of Toronto in Canada!  It’s the ideal work or play location with everything in easy walking distance.

There is a huge regeneration project still ongoing in conjunction with The Eden Project  with rewilding of the waterways to reinstate nature habitats and the Crossrail Roof Garden Terrace which is just like being inside the domes of the Eden Project in Cornwall (except there are more planes and much bigger ones when you look up through the roof panes!).   

This Black and green Printed Blazed in Multi shades transforms the look of the Black Asymmetrical Belt Trousers to blend in with a natural habitat.  Its an original print befitting an urban nature theme and easy to wear too!  The blazer is fully lined with a tailored collar, long sleeves and a piped pocket on the front.  There are no buttons on this one as it is a drape style with a straight cut.  The smallest sizes have sold out but its still available in sizes UK12 to UK24.

Canary Wharf had never really appealed to me as an area to explore as I thought it was just more office blocks by the water but oh boy was I wrong its definitely an area for “play” as well as “work” and a great place to explore with children over the holidays.  You can download a map of the art installation trail locations and enter the Crossrail Roof Garden Terrace for free and I’m looking forward to returning another time with my family.

Back to work then…. 

Angela

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