Road Test: Trying out new Australian workwear brand, Pave
in partnership with pave
WORDS BY LIV CHAN
Inspired by the modern-day woman, Pave aims to provide a fresh take on classic pieces that see you through the working week.
Wind the clock back to Feb 2020 – we’re all working from home for the indefinite future. As heartbreaking as it was to be separated from my colleagues, I didn’t mind ditching the stiff corporate wear in favour of what came to be my classic WFH uniform. It was a slow transition from PJs into a pair of leggings, an old hoodie and some odd socks. Fast forward two years and I’d be lying if I said the transition back to office wear has been easy.
That said, any nine to five corporate sweetie will know the importance of a solid work uniform. Sure, it’s important to look the part, but you’ve also got to be feeling great. And for me, I’m at my best when I’m comfortable. As a result, two years of fluffy bed socks and bike shorts means I can’t quite perform at my peak in stiff, tight clothes.
Looking for more fashion news and features? Head to our Fashion section.
Working in law, there are often two extremes that come to mind when thinking about corporate workwear. The first is a rigid pantsuit that looks like something your great Aunt might’ve worn back in the ’70s. The latter is an array of fuschia pink hues in delectable velour as donned by everyone’s favourite lawyer, Elle Woods. And as much as I love Legally Blonde, this doesn’t have to be the case.
In what I hope to be a post-WFH era, I lean on my corporate uniform to carry me through the busy and often unpredictable chaos of the day. From internal meetings and court hearings to media events and Zooms, it’s essential that I look the part for every occasion.
If there’s one thing I absolutely love when it comes to getting dressed in the morning, it’s having high-quality staples that I can wear on heavy rotation throughout the week while pairing them back with just about anything. This is something new Australian label Pave knows all too well.
View this post on Instagram
Inspired by the modern-day woman, Pave aims to provide a fresh take on classic pieces that see you through the working week. With conscious consumption in mind, the brand strives to simplify the process of getting dressed in the morning, through its carefully curated product range that promotes versatility and durability, resulting in a cohesive and trans-seasonal working wardrobe.
So when the opportunity arose to put the products to the test, I couldn’t say no. With a busy week jumping between legal meetings and admin, I knew it would be the perfect time to give the label’s pieces a whirl. I started with the Solar Top – a simple and classic sleeveless top designed with layering in mind, and a great wardrobe staple to have regardless of your working sitch.
I have a green sage linen suit which, despite being one of my favourite sets in my wardrobe, I often struggle trying to style. As fate would have it, I wore this set with the Solar Top on one of those warm-but-cloudy days where layering was absolutely key. Running between my desk and meetings, I was able to remove the blazer and still look put together while staying comfy.
View this post on Instagram
All of Pave’s pieces are designed using Woolmark certified Total Easy Care Merino, meaning its garments are machine-washable (lazy girl tick of approval) and designed to endure today’s busy lifestyle. Another huge benefit is that its garments retain their shape, meaning they can shift in and out of my weekly rotation with ease.
Next up was the Merino Tee, a sophisticated and feminine silhouette with a pretty boat neckline. This was my favourite style to take me from the office to post-work drinks. Interestingly, I don’t have any other pieces in my wardrobe with a boat neckline but found myself reaching for it on multiple occasions throughout the week. Naturally, I paired this with plain black tailored trousers to really lean into the quintessential Melbourne uniform.
Finally, the refined and modern Merino Polo. Featuring a sophisticated collar, I surprisingly found this piece ideal for layering. On days where meetings are limited, this is the perfect option for something a little more understated while still feeling sharp. I threw a vest over it on one of my less intensive office days and received a bunch of compliments in the elevator.
It’s so refreshing to discover a new label fusing the design elements of modern workwear with post-pandemique comfort. If you also struggle with the daily challenge of getting dressed in the morning for a corporate nine to five, I highly recommend Pave.
To shop Pave, head here.
Liked this? You’ll love these...
