How do high-flying women get dressed for work? Alison Taylor finds out
I often have to change my clothes several times a day. For instance, this morning I've already worn academic dress over my red and beige jersey wrap dress while I did a reading in chapel. Then there are meetings to consider and even sporting events.
Yesterday I went to watch the rugby so I wore leggings and boots with a dress over them, a cardigan and a short fur coat. If there's a reception for parents interested in the school I'll dress somewhere between evening and work wear. The point of the occasion is to welcome people and be social, so it's nice to make an effort.
I've always loved clothes, not because I'm obsessed or silly but because I had a glamorous grandmother who taught me that I could look better than I actually am! My mother would never have gone into town to the shops without making an effort and I'm the same. It's about presenting myself in the best possible way so I can do what I do comfortably.
I bought this green velvet suit for my 50th birthday. It has an interesting hourglass cut that really plays to my strengths without showing off acres of cleavage. Discreet but still quite sexy.
I've got seven or eight evening gowns and I wear them a lot. There are many black-tie events connected to the school and I also attend events in my capacity as governor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. I bought this gown in New York. It flatters me because it cuts in at the waist and has a little bit of extra detail with the 'fantail' at the front.
I think that my dress style says, 'Here's somebody who means business.' I'm not going to be sitting in the back row, but there's nothing flippant and frivolous about it. I go for unusual things I might have picked up on my travels - handbags and scarves.
A typical look for me is a dress that pulls in at the waist, patent-leather shoes and a short red cashmere coat - it's fun. I don't tend to buy labels but I have got some pieces in the wardrobe that are really special by Thierry Mugler, Versace and Armani. The other thing I believe is really important is what you wear underneath. I absolutely swear by Rigby & Peller.
My pupils seem to like the way I dress. Obviously the girls at Oxford High, where I used to work, noted what I was wearing, but I'm surprised the boys at Abingdon do. In the school magazine they welcomed me by saying I'd come with an 'extensive and thoroughly impressive CV and extensive and colourful wardrobe'!
The last thing I would want to look like is what people call a typical headmistress. That's not my look and it's not my leadership style, either. I've never been part of a mould in any respect.
Lucy Alexander, 42, hedge fund sales manager
In 1990, when I first started working in the city, I was told that women should wear skirt suits not trouser suits; trousers were for men. Back then it was really hard to find clothes; there weren't any women's shops in the Square Mile.
I went on a holiday to Bangkok with my sister and had three suits made - classic pencil skirts and padded jackets. I would never wear them now; they're dated and very 'power', and it's far easier to pull on a dress than a jacket, skirt and blouse.
I don't have a dress code for the office. I like to wear fitted dresses by Michael Kors, Paule Ka, Joseph and Britt Lintner, a friend of mine who also works in hedge funds but designs beautifully tailored dresses that are perfect for work. She wanted to bridge the gap between office wear and high fashion and has the City woman in mind. Sarah Brown is also a fan.
In finance if you think about your clothes too much people will probably say you're rather frivolous. It's all down to the content of the meeting, at the end of the day, but I think it's important to make a good impression. I am interested in fashion, too, and I do like shopping. My Italian grandmother was exceptionally glamorous so it's something I've grown up with.
I hardly ever wear jackets; I feel constrained by them. I prefer a smart coat or trench. I'm 5ft 2in so I always wear high, high shoes, usually Louboutin or YSL to look smarter and taller. If I'm walking to meetings I wear flats and switch. In the evening I might wear the same dress but change my shoes, bag and jewellery. I might slip into sandals or something more sparkly, and add a cocktail ring and earrings if we're taking clients to dinner or the opera.
When I had a year off from the City I set up a business designing semi-precious jewellery with a friend, so I have quite a lot of pieces. It's nice to wear something that's personal to you.
Smart clothes have become more stylish, comfortable and adaptable. You can get on a plane, go to meetings and then straight to dinner. There's also a lot more help available. I love websites like Net-a-porter because they're great if you're busy. They also give great styling ideas for accessories and shoes.
Women used to feel the need to blend in, to dress like men. Now the hemlines have gone up and the shoes are higher. It's more fun.
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