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Welcome to the latest edition of Working It, where Racked takes street style to the next level—the office. The litmus test of the true style-savvy is how she (or he) rocks a look on any old day to work. Forget the pedestrian khakis and buttondowns—these fashionable professionals take the office dress code to a whole other dimension. Quick, somebody call HR!
All photos by Porter Hovey
Today we take you to the Manhattan offices of Joe Fresh. The New York office of the Toronto-based company is as upbeat as you'd expect for a brand that has sworn allegiance to the color tangerine, and the team there brings their own unique twist to the brand's stylish, colorful basics. Here's how they work it when they're working.
Margaret Park, Graphic Designer: My personal style is modern and eclectic. My winters consist of mostly menswear tops with skinny jeans or maxi skirts, and summers are super feminine with poofy skirts, high-waisted shorts, and dresses.
Style advice: Comfort equals confidence. It's fun to experiment with new trends, but if it doesn't come naturally, there's no need to force it. Make sure to add your own personal touches to your wardrobe. Nobody should look like they walked straight out of a catalog.
Margaret is wearing vintage glasses from Fabulous Fanny's in the East Village, a necklace purchased at a boutique in the Marais neighborhood of Paris, a Joe Fresh silk shirt, a T Alexander Wang men's tank as a vest, Joe Fresh jeans, Calvin Klein Collection pumps, an Omega seamaster watch, and bracelets from Coach, Bauble Bar, and various street markets in New York, Seoul, and Bath, England.
Andrew Shannon, VP Stores: My style is chic and casual but always with an edge and good mix of texture or color.
Style advice: The key to a great wardrobe is to own great basics. The perfect slim blue jean. A classic pair of shoes. White shirt or t-shirt. Crew neck or cardigan. One great jacket!!! Shoes can make or break your look; always keep your shoes in good shape, it shows. I own a cardigan in every color possible. Also, own a great pair of sneakers.
Andrew is wearing a Joe Fresh tweed jacket and red check shirt, Acne skinny raw jeans, and Church's shoes.
Nikki Rouel, Office Manager: My personnel style is sophisticated but I like to throw in a bit of edge into the mix. I usually tend to gravitate towards solids and I am always on the hunt for timeless pieces that will last me forever.
Style advice: Think of yourself as a blank canvas, every morning we have a choice to paint with colors, textures, and styles to describe who we are. Have fun with it and paint away.
Nikki is wearing an Equipment blouse, Joe Fresh waxed jeans, Jimmy Choo shoes, and Essie nail polish in Berry Hard.
Ranette Garcia, Human Resources/Store Operations Assistant Manager for the 510 NYC Flagship Store: My style is classic and chic. I love putting together pieces that take my look to the next level. New York City is definitely the platform for discovering new fashion trends, which I can implement to my personal wardrobe.
Style advice: I think it is important to step out of your comfort zone and try something new to spice-up your look and keep things edgy. A bold lip color and perfect pumps can transform any outfit from day to night, and that is essential to create a dynamic ensemble.
Ranette is wearing Joe Fresh silk printed top, wool shorts, and bar belt, and cap heels.
Rose Gutekunst, Associate Designer: My style is often stolen from the men's section. I pretty much live in the Joe Fresh men's sweaters. I like to wear what makes me comfortable and, this time of year, what makes me warm. I dress in a rather tom-boy-easy sense, but I love girly grooming, with makeup and nails always done.
Style advice: Dress the Part: think of the occasion you're dressing for like a part in a movie, and keep in mind what you'll actually be doing. You don't want to be walking all over the city in clumsy heels, but you also don't want to show up to an event looking like you're exhausted from the day. And the best beauty advice: look alive! Add some blush!
Rose is wearing a Joe Fresh men's cashmere boatneck sweater, Levi's Made and Crafted coated denim, Surface to Air velcro dock steps, and Joe Fresh nail polish and cosmetics.
Melissa Duren, US Public Relations Director: My style is dependent on my mood—one day it could be something with a downtown edge, and another could be uptown prep. But it is never fussy. I love to wear pieces that have interesting or special design elements that make dressing a no-brainer, like perfect leather jackets and great blouses. Interesting skirts or dresses are my signature.
Style advice: There is nothing wrong with a uniform. If there is a certain look that just works for you, don't be afraid to stick to it. But find ways to keep it fresh in a way that is unique to you.
Melissa is wearing a Temperley London leather jacket, Joe Fresh S13 Runway Dress, YSL wedges, and Joe Fresh cosmetics.
Jason Losser, Creative Director, Marketing: Call me predictable, but I have a super simple uniform and color palette: jeans with everything...a shirt or sweater or hoodie or tee or blazer or jacket or coat...in gray, blue, black, white or brown (brown is SO underrated!). All of which works in any combination, and makes getting dressed in the morning a snap.
Style advice: I usually don't match a shoe to a top, unless it's formal. Mix it up and try layering two thin jackets to make a coat.
Jason is wearing a brown vintage corduroy jacket from Helmut Lang, marine cashmere V-neck sweater from Joe Fresh, a vintage Rolex watch, Levi's Premium dark-rinse jeans, and Prada shoes.
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