Transitioning back to office wear

After weeks of doing and wearing whatever, we need to be gentle with ourselves on the return to the office.

Country Road tailored pants with elasticated back.

Who is? After weeks of doing and wearing whatever it takes to keep our sanity intact at home, we need to be gentle with ourselves on the return to the office. Alas, trackie pants won’t quite cut it unless you have a very understanding boss. However, there are many trousers (and I suspect we will see more to come) that are both work-friendly and comfy. Most cunning are those that look like relaxed tailored pants but have an elasticated back – the best of both worlds. Country Road (pictured, $139, countryroad.com.au), Bassike (bassike.com) and Jac + Jack (jacandjack.com) all have lovely examples, and they’ll also accommodate an extra slice of cake for afternoon tea.

Tod’s loafers.

Can I ditch the heels for work now?

I feel there is almost no reason to wear heels again – unless, of course, you’d like to. To paraphrase the late, great Bob Hawke: “Any boss who won’t let his workers wear flats is a bum.” Some workplaces may not tolerate the shift towards trainers, although suits and trainers were increasingly commonplace pre-pandemic. Loafers are a great solution, polished but comfortable. You’ll find affordable styles from Country Road (countryroad.com.au), Witchery (witchery.com.au), Nine West (ninewest.com.au), and Wittner (wittner.com.au), and luxe versions from Gucci (Gucci.com), Salvatore Ferragamo (ferragamo.com) and Tod’s (pictured, $1135, tods.com).

Don’t stop now …

Leif Hands-On Aromatic Gel Sanitiser, $15, leifproducts.com

Two-tone triumph

Dinosaur Designs bangle, $110, dinosaurdesigns.com.au