Last Sunday I crossed the French border to see my friend Gianna at Maison des Temps in Kauffenheim.

She’s not only my wonderful yoga instructor and friend but also a multi faceted entrepreneur, working on her latest project, a plant based hair & skin care line called Les Roots . Gianna is a classic inside out beauty with a rare quality: She’s not only talking about sustainability, she’s living it. Most pieces in her wardrobe have been there for many years, she rarely acquires anything new. I even found Dr. Martens which she bought twelve years old. Many pieces are gifts from artist or designer friends, some are heritage items from her mum.

I asked Gianna to put aside “?” clothing (toss or keep) first. When I arrived, everything was arranged neatfully and in easy reach so we could start with the styling process immediately. We created 10+ outfits and realized there were only four items to give away to someone else (mostly related to unflattering color). As follow-up, I created a list with some lacking key pieces like a black belt, a crossbody bag etc.

Personally, I have never seen anyone who wears clothing as long as Gianna does, except for my mum maybe. As I am trying to keep my styling process as sustainable as possible, only filling true gaps at the end of each session with personal shopping recommendations, I am excited about what I have seen. There is hope, we might be on the right path, there may be a shift of priorities. This styling session also sets an example that once you’ve acquired YOUR own individual personal style, you don’t need to add much. Once you add less, you’ll be able to focus on quality without making compromises and wear only pieces you truly love.

A female office dress code doesn’t necessarily mean “trouser suit” or “pencil skirts”. With a bit of planning, styling and a few nice accessories, your “go to office look” can also be stylish and hip. This is something I was focussing on during yesterday’s styling session.

My client: Female, in her mid-thirties, successfully working in the marketing department of a cosmetic company. She decided to look for some professional help in order to sort out her complete closet. Once the main work was done, we started to recreate two types of outfits: Business Casual and Leisure (meaning local market Saturdays, outdoor socializing with friends, date night at home, etc.).

Here are yesterday’s casual business outfits I’d like to share on my journal.

1. Cashmere Sweater + Blazer + Jeans

2. Dress + Blazer + Belt + High Knee Boots

3. Blazer + Ripped Top + Blue Denim + Ankle Boots

4. Trousers Suit + Marinière + White Sneakers

5. Blazer + Classic White Tee + Ankle Boots

6. Slip Skirt + Boyfriend Tee + Leather Jacket

7. Wide leg Jeans + Ripped Top + Cardigan + Crossbody bag

8. White Tee + Denim Jacket + Slip Skirt

9. Utility Jacket + Wrap Dress + Ankle Boots

10. Black Blazer + White Tee + Slip Skirt + Ankle Boots

1. Make sure you tuck in the sweater in order to optimise proportions in order to elongate the legs. I prefer rolled up sleeves for most blazers.

2. The most important detail of this outfit is the belted blazer. Again, a belt helps to optimise proportions.

3. This is is a total power outfit. I love the vintage Escada Blazer my client found at the flea market for 8 EUR. Crazy. The structured shoulders with a fitted top make this look sexy, powerful, yet super female. It’s a strong outfit for a strong woman.

4. She told me she was not sure about the colour, even though it fits her amazingly. A muted pink needs red lipstick. To add the marinière and white sneakers came naturally.

5. This is a very classic outfit. Discrete and effortless. The snakeprint ankle boots give it a little twist though. In order to add “more” you could add a matching baseball hat (maybe not for the office) and a thick ankle chain necklace.

6. I think a slip skirt is the most versatile piece ever. Matching with cashmere sweaters, ripped tops, blazers, leather jackets, even a hoodie would fit. In order to avoid looking too casual, we added some elegant leather sandals with a tiny heel. She has nice ankles, which are important if you plan to show them off wearing a 3/4 skirt.

7. I call it classy classic. The pearls fit, a chunky necklace might be more surprising. You could add a fedora hat or a baseball cap in order to make it more casual. The tiny heel of the sandals elongate the legs. Wide leg pants are awesome but you have to pay attention towards the shoes in order to avoid a '*bulky” silhouette. Again, proportions are key.

8. She wanted to toss the denim jacket but we noticed it fit so well with this outfit. White tees love denim, always. Paired with the slip skirt and ankle boots this makes a beautiful spring day look. If you like you could layer it with a trench for colder days or add a matching silk scarf.

9. This is a nice an comfy day to night outfit. Zoom calls, spring outdoor socialising - all covered. Once it gets warmer, you could alternatively combine it with a straw hat or Castaner wedges. I’d not pair it with flats.

10. An easy one. We replaced the denim jacket with a black blazer, to dress it up. If I could pair it with one additional item, I’d add Totême’s monogram silk scarf.

Voilà, thats it! All of those outfits work well with zoom, too. They’re all comfy yet put together and clean. I hope you felt inspired.