Spring fashion: Sunshine shades shoulder navy and grey out of the way

Weary of working from home? It appears that many of us are getting back into the stream of office life, to reconnect with colleagues and catch up on the action. This welcome return dovetails with key trends for Spring 2024. So, prepare to make an entrance with the latest casual tailored jackets, sharp blouses and exotic shades of pink and green.

There are lots of optic black-and-white looks across the board, with fluid jackets teamed with flared trousers or ankle-grazing culottes for an instantly stylish look with minimal fuss. A simple black or white vest top and the addition of an arty neckpiece will provide a good conversation starter to kick off the gossip. Joseph Ribkoff captures an upbeat economic mood with eclectic pops of colour and graphic prints that will put a spring into your step.

Exotic shades of turquoise and coral green are also making waves as greys and navy suits are shouldered out of the way by powerful sunshine shades. Fluorescent splashes of pinks and orange are eye-catching ways to get noticed in the pecking order for promotion too. And, happily, these are also pieces that can take you from office desk to dinner in the click of a mouse.

Joseph Ribkoff is a favourite for many sharp dressers who realise that dramatic coloured blouses and camera co-ordinates command attention. Think of women such as Fianna Fáil TD Niamh Smyth who always looks incredibly glamorous on Oireachtas committees or vibrant Verona Murphy TD, who is no shrinking violet when it comes to choosing a vivid selection of outfits.

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The most visible TV presenters are also leaving the black ensembles behind and embracing palettes that include tropical pink, tangerine oranges or lime greens. The Joseph Ribkoff collection lines the rails of many popular outlets around the country including Arnotts in Dublin, McElhinneys and Serena Boutiques.

Brands such as Ora, Kate Cooper and iClothing are popular with corporate commandos and have lots of looks for scaling the ladder.

There is also a demand for flat leather loafers along with elegant pairs of strappy stilettoes for evening receptions. A classic white shirt or blouse is a workwear essential for men and women in any capsule wardrobe and adds tailored elegance to any look.

This year, styling is all about choosing pieces with subtle extras such as details on cuffs and collars that transform a simple shirt into a designer gem.

Kate Cooper also has a few wardrobe tricks to raise your corporate game in 2024 as she moves more into tailoring and two-piece ensembles. The laid-back approach to the trouser-suit style won’t have you looking as stilted as Ursula von der Leyen.

Cooper focuses on versatility too with her gorgeous orange and purple print trouser suit that is ideal for a spring work party, a business brunch, a cocktail reception or more formal work dinner. It has a touch of Vogue Williams about the style and attitude too. “Armani makes clothes for his wife; Versace makes clothes for his mistress,” comes to mind.

A handy jumper dress is worth getting as it can be worn in a number of interesting ways. Kate Middleton, who always manages to keep on trend, often wears this above-the-knee knitted style teamed with a pair of boots from London’s favourite shoe shop, Dune.

Meanwhile, the funkier fashionable intern may prefer an image with more street cred, with cuddly bouclé jackets and wide leg jeans to keep you warm as you grapple with unreliable bus and train connections that dump you miles away from your workplace.

The male office worker has plenty of smart casual options this spring in tones of beige, tan and khaki green. Louis Copeland always has an ultra-smart selection of separates with beige jackets and cooler trousers. River Island, Next and Massimo Dutti are always worth exploring. The Dutti boutique has a classic Italian flair, with cool linen shirts, suede jackets and fine knit sweaters. Zara is another men’s wear store that churns out quality, successful styles that are affordable and sustainable too.

The wide-leg trousers that have been greeted with relief by women have not proven as popular with the guys, who have mainly stuck with narrow-leg looks. Sleeveless jumpers are maintaining their popularity as they provide a breathable underlayer to blazers and suit jackets. They also look great if you want to leave the jacket on the back of the office chair.

Putting some work into the finishing touches of a men’s office outfit will pay off. Don’t run out of sartorial patience and settle for a cheap pair of shoes that won’t last the season. Invest in a couple of durable, decent looks that can be worn to match a more formal suit and another pair for laid-back chinos to ring the changes.

Extra details on jacket lapels, such as pleating or buttons on sleeves, distract from low-hanging tummies tumbling over those tighter waistbands.