What do women wear to work? Pt 2.
Two friends of the newsletter compile their week in outfits.
Remember the halycon days when our dose of street style inspiration came via unassuming, stylish strangers snapped candidly by photographers like Scott Schuman and Bill Cunningham? Street style in 2025 might as well be a clown show. It’s too performative to draw any tangible inspiration from, and there’s too much gifted product dripping off influencers’ arms to be remotely applicable to everyday plebs like us. It’s virtually impossible to know where the style begins and the algorithm ends.
It’s why we love to peer into the wardrobes of women we admire. Not just the ones with outsized online profiles, but our friends and colleagues. And it’s not even necessarily about the clothes, but the owners of them, that we’re fascinated by; how they approach dressing for life, and what that can teach us about refining how we show up in the world.
We loved hearing your feedback from our first edition of this series, so we’re keeping it rolling. This week, we’re spotlighting two more friends of homeroom: Kelly Dunn, Head of Reservations at Raes; and Lara Fisher, founder of P0ly.
Kelly Dunn
Kelly is a dear, dear friend of both of ours — and one of the MVPs in our Classmates paid subscriber chat on IG. As the Head of Reservations at Raes in Byron Bay, and mother to her two-year old boy, Myles, she is a maestro at anticipating the needs of others and keeping a thousand balls in the air at any one time. In the span of a couple of hours, she’ll shift from packing daycare bags to overseeing VIP experiences and needing to look appropriately serene and glamorous (qualities that she, luckily, seems to have been imbued with in the womb).
What we both admire about Kelly’s style is how intentional it is — there is nothing artificial about it, every piece and every look is so truly her. She really nails the Relaxed but Polished look that so many of us aspire to (we genuinely challenge anyone to make dressing for work in hot and humid weather look more chic?).
She shares her (four day) work week in outfits with us below.
Monday
35 degrees outside here in the Northern Rivers. Opting for something loose oversized. Trying to balance the boyishness of the shorts with some feminine jewellery and linen top.
TOP: Dissh / Similar here
SHORTS: LEM / Baggy Shorts — $160.30 (On sale)
SANDALS: Tony Bianco / Sahara — $119.95
EARRINGS: Vermeer Studio / Henri Earrings — $179
SUNGLASSES: Luv Lou / The Taylor — $170
Tuesday
Meetings this morning so I reached out to for the blazer. The temp has dropped too. Woollen cami for some texture. Chunky jewellery I was influenced to buy by my algorithm..
BLAZER: DISSH / Similar here
TOP: Friends With Frank / Similar here
JEANS: Assembly Label / Similar here
SANDALS: Tony Bianco / Similar here
NECKLACE: Baac Studio / Rowie Necklace — $70
Wednesday
I’ve had around 4 hours sleep, Myles was up and very unsettled from 3am. Tried a few things with a lacy cami under a shirt but my brain can’t be creative today. I added the sweater around the waist for some interest and layering.
BLAZER: DISSH / Frankie Blazer — $229.99
TANK: DISSH / Similar here
SWEATER: Uniqlo / Cashmere Sweater— $129.90
PANTS: Assembly Label / Lola Barrel Pant — $100
SANDALS: Cotton On / Blake Jelly Flip Flop — $19.99
NECKLACE: Vermeer Studio / Tahoe Necklace — $239
Thursday
Super casual with the t-shirt, I gave it some shape and interest with the sweater around the waist. Then added the blazer to make it more work appropriate.
BLAZER: DISSH / Similar here
TEE: Assembly Label
SWEATER: Uniqlo / Cashmere Sweater— $129.90
PANTS: Hyde & Stone / Alma Pant — $70
SANDALS: Cotton On / Blake Jelly Flip Flop — $19.99
NECKLACE: Vermeer Studio / Tahoe Necklace — $239
Lara Fisher
Here, Lara gave us a little rundown on who she is and how she dresses:
I’ve been running my business (Poly Designs) for almost six years. We design and manufacture furniture and homewares - a space I find totally refreshing and challenging after spending 10+ years working in the fashion industry.
Working for yourself of course means total agency in what you wear every day. Wearing an outfit you love, one that makes you feel confident, focused, and prepared for the workday acts as a powerful mood booster. You will not catch me wearing tracksuits or leggings all day - no shade, it just doesn’t make me feel good.
My weeks usually involve client meetings, packing orders in the studio and a lot of time at my dining table working at the computer. Add in a toddler, daycare runs and a 40kg dog that needs walking - my outfits need to be practical and simple.
Good quality basics are a staple in my wardrobe - brands like Bassike, Issey Miyake, St Agni and Acne Studios are favourites. I also love to support independent labels too like Sister Studios and Brooke Callihan.
Monday
Comfort level 10/10. If you know me, I am wearing jeans 6/7 days of the week. I have more pairs then anyone ever needs, but as a woman/new mum your body is always changing throughout the month and it’s good to have options.
On Mondays I tend to spend most of the day liaising with clients over email, and cleaning the house so this outfit fits the brief.
TOP: Brooke Callihan / Scoop Top — $239
JEANS: Bassike / Slouch Straight Jean — $250 (On sale)
SANDALS: Ancient Greek Sandals / Charys Comfort — $390
GLASSES: Elisa Johnson / Jane — $245.54
Tuesday
Had a fun client meeting in the city today after daycare drop off.
I’m really enjoying these new hemp t-shirts from PDA Shop. The brand is Hemp Buddies out of NZ, I have my eye on some of the fun coloured ones.
I have layered my favourite sheer polkadot dress from local label Sister Studio for a bit of fun.
TEE: Buddy / Mini Tee — $89
DRESS: Sister Studios / similar here
JEANS: Acne — oldies but goodies
FLATS: Maison Margiela / Tabi Flats shopped from Depop
Wednesday
Classic I’m not leaving the house outfit. Then I had a video call scheduled which I added on my rose pin from PDA Shop. If you haven’t checked them out - you can schedule a private appt and the amazing team can show you through all the vintage.
I ended up going out for dinner with friends after work so added my trusted trench coat from Bassike and leveled up with some texture in accessories.
All the outfits are pretty simple so if I’m heading out and I want to feel special I’ll add a rose pin or a fun purse like this one I collected years ago which is navy toscano.
Same white tee and Bassike jeans. G.H Bass loafers are classics for a reason.
TEE: Buddy / Mini Tee — $89
JEANS: Bassike / Slouch Straight Jean — $250 (On sale)
ROSETTE: From PDA Shop / Similar here
LOAFERS: G.H Bass / Weejun II Penny Loafers — $320
Thursday
Today I visited some tile suppliers so I was running around. I am loyal to tailoring. I love to wear suits - blazers, pants and my new favourite iteration is the suit short.
These suit shorts from Ess Bee are badass and I always get so many compliments when I whip them out.
TEE: Bassike / Baby Tee — $130
SHORTS: Ess Bee / Similar here
FLATS: Tony Bianco / Martinez — $179.95
BAG: Issey Miyake bag I’ve had forever / Similar here and here
Friday
Today I’m mostly mumming - with a few hours of emails while Sascha naps. This outfit will confidently take me to the playground, cafe, library trifecta - mums know the one.
I cannot fault Brooke Callihans pieces, of which I’ve accumulated quite a collection. Wearing the set makes me feel put together with very low effort.
TOP: Brooke Callihan / Scoop Top — $239
PANTS: Brooke Callihan / Capris — $249
FLIP FLOPS: Tony Bianco / Ives — $129.95 last season - so comfortable no notes
BAG: Pan After / Tote — $65 — I have a few of these. Chic way to carry around all the ‘shits and bits’ you need when said ‘mumming’. I have my eye on the new colour combos.
Saturday
This is my version of wearing a tracksuit all day. Wearing all white makes me feel chic, despite the low stakes for this outfit.
SINGLET: Bonds / Chesty 3 pack — $22.99 — Bonds chesties forever, I wear the kids ones in size 10 or 12.
PANTS: Deiji Studios / Tie Hem Pant — $161 (On sale) — I’m a big fan of Deiji pants, I especially love these ones with the exaggerated shape from the tie hem on these
FLATS: Maison Margiela / Tabi Flats shopped from Depop. Tabi flats are the ‘slipper’ of choice for this very relaxed outfit.
Big love,
Sophie & Annie
xo
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