A week in work outfits with Melbourne stylist and creative consultant, Stuart Walford

“My style is always evolving and is based so much on my mood.”

Working in a creative role, it can be difficult to know how to dress for the day. Instead of having a set uniform of crisp white shirts and tailored black pants (as much as I love both), an ever-changing schedule means every morning requires a set of questions. Am I running around, or just sitting at my desk? Do I need to dress specifically for a project? And most importantly, will I be in the background of someone’s TikTok?

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For Melbourne-based stylist and creative consultant Stuart Walford, getting dressed for the day is somewhat of a process. “I’m incredibly indecisive in the mornings about what I want to wear,” he says. “Mostly because I never know where to start.” But he’s grown to love changing up his style daily, building outfits from his “broadly curated closet”. A week in his wardrobe is never boring; a bricolage of colourful statement pieces, old designer finds and easy basics.

Monday

I’ve just started working on a new project today which will last for three weeks. We’re shooting indoors and the studio is rather cold so I’ve thrown on one of my favourite new knitwear pieces from Andersson Bell. It’s a patchwork-style cardigan with lots of loose threads which I love for its deconstructed style.

I’ve also very recently gotten hooked on the cargo pant trend although I’ve gone for more of a slim-line version; these ones are from Zara. I’m living in my Adrian Loafers from Dr Martens so these are a go-to shoe for me in the mornings (now that they are well worn in!). Underneath I’ve layered a black Acne Studios T-shirt. To finish the look, my baguette-style bag is from JW Anderson.

Tuesday

I’m incredibly indecisive in the mornings about what I want to wear, mostly because I never know where to start. The fact that being warm is a huge factor at the moment helps me narrow in on knitwear, so I pulled out this chunky Acne Studios rollneck in orange and used this as my starting point. I’ve paired it back with my Junya Watanabe x Dickies because, at the cuff, they have the most intricate and beautiful patches of what appear to be vintage Japanese fabrics.

I thought the orange highlights would work nicely with the knit. The socks are probably overkill, although I’m a sucker for a fun sock – these ones are Happy Socks. I needed a contrast colour somewhere so I pulled out my Marni bag for its green accent!

Wednesday

My style is always evolving and is based so much on my mood. I wouldn’t say that I have a distinct look, and I have grown to love the ability to change up my style daily by having a broadly curated closet. Today, I wasn’t feeling the colour so I went for a black ensemble consisting of Junya Watanabe wool trousers which have the most amazing elongated crotch.

I purchased these from Masons on Flinders Lane. They also sell Andersson Bell and an array of incredibly well-curated menswear pieces! The skivvy is just an inexpensive base layer from Asos which is great for layering. The shirt, bag and cap are all Prada and the blazer is Acne Studios, which is another core piece in my wardrobe as it works perfectly in almost any outfit combo.

Thursday

I try to plan my outfit for the day when I’m in the shower each morning but nine times out of 10, it veers right off track once I actually start dressing. It’s amazing how what can make you feel confident and productive one day can feel the complete opposite on another day. It really goes to show how much my mood influences what I need to wear each day.

I picked up these ripped loose-leg jeans from Cotton On when I was sourcing for a job recently. They are a great core piece and one that is good for building a look. I don’t like to spend much on denim because I thrash them about. I’ve styled them with another Acne Studios T-shirt in turquoise which admittedly, I find a hard colour to style.

Over the top, I’ve added a mohair sweater from Marni and on top of that, an old Vetements blazer from 2017 (I think) which I purchased from Zambesi when they use to have a Melbourne store. To finish off the look, I have pulled out my old Gucci hiking shoes with their crystal harness and a JW Anderson baguette bag in metallic blue.

Friday

Today’s outfit started with the shoes; my beloved Crocs! I’ll admit, I use to have a profound disdain towards these rubber clogs, however, something changed the moment I became obsessed with the assorted Jibbitz – I love a pointless accessory.

I was sourcing for a job (often how new wardrobe items accrue) and got lost inside Platypus and the rest is history. The suit is from the Comme des Garçons Shirt line which I bought from Dover Street Market in Ginza. I love the CDG Shirt line so much because they create such playful takes on traditional menswear staples (like a shirt, blazer or trousers) yet they are so easy to wear because the cuts aren’t often manipulated.

Instead, they embellish or explore fabrications to create the point of difference. In menswear, this is hard to come across. The print is rather abstract – it’s a faded floral stencil – I really like clothes that have hidden details or those that reveal more each time you look at them. I’ve layered a white Acne Studios T-shirt underneath to keep things simple. I’ve added some gold chains and my JW Anderson bag to finish off the outfit.

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