A week in work outfits with Sydney-based Digital Strategy Analyst, Lizzie Cao

From corporate wear to concerts.

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?

This week, Digital Strategy Analyst Lizzie Cao takes us through a week in her busy life. When getting dressed for her corporate job as a Digital Strategy Analyst at Adobe, she tells us “It’s always a bit of a puzzle”. With a wardrobe filled with “cute crop tops and corsets that show off way too much skin for an office setting”, it’s taken some trial and error to figure out how to put together a corporate-appropriate outfit that still lets her style shine through.

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Aside from going-out tops, she owns an enviable selection of pieces by independent international designers and vintage designer gems, and the resulting outfits are office-appropriate but boundary-pushing. Here’s what she wore across the week.

Monday

Today actually marked my first day back in the office after a well-deserved break filled with travels and some essential me-time. Just being promoted at Adobe, I now work as a Digital Strategy Analyst and thought I’d play it safe on my first day back by wearing something a bit more ‘corporate-core’ than usual.

The black top is from Dion Lee and I bought it at a warehouse sale that I visited in 2022. The original price was something around $300 but I remember purchasing only for $80 – what a steal! As for the pants, they’re from Bec and Bridge and I absolutely adore the fit of them. It fits snugly around the waist and tapers out to a flare toward the bottom, creating a really nice silhouette for my body. 

My work bag is from Telfar and literally fits everything. Whenever I start taking out the things that I’ve packed in my bag, it always feels like a bit of a Mary Poppins moment. The go-to things I carry are my 13-inch Macbook Pro work laptop, a laptop charger, my diary, a book to read on the bus (currently reading Anxiously Attached: Becoming More Secure in Life and Love by Jessica Baum), my Sony headphones, my wallet, my lipgloss and my emotional support water bottle.

Tuesday

After finishing a few meetings in the morning, my friend and I stopped by Chinatown Country Club (CCC) for a coffee break, or in my case a sweet treat. I am not the biggest coffee drinker so I like to get a little sweet pick-me-up at CCC, and my go-to is the Biscoff latte. I cannot rave about it enough, you have to go try one for yourself!

My shorts are from Maillot from the brand Sillage, one of my favourite brands. Sillage is a Tokyo-based brand founded by Nicolas Yuthanan Chalmeau, and it boldly defies conventional silhouettes, catering to diverse body types and genders. What captivates me most about these shorts is their oversized, effortlessly flowy design, straddling the line between feminine and masculine energies.

The linen short-sleeve button-up I’m wearing is from Armani Exchange, a gem I stumbled upon while thrifting at Lane Cove Vinnies. I’ve been receiving a lot of Instagram DMs about how I’ve curated my wardrobe, and the secret lies in finding a balance. I’ve built a collection through two ways – purchasing new clothes and thrifting for secondhand clothes. This has worked super well for me, not just financially but also as a way to find one-of-a-kind pieces that really add to my personal style, making it a win-win for both your wardrobe and the planet.

Wednesday

After a busy day in the office, the girls (or work wives if you will hehe) and I decided to unwind at Gilda’s Wine Bar in Surry Hills for some after-work drinks. We took advantage of the happy hour there, sipping on their $12 house cocktails and wine. As we chatted away, we ordered some nibbles and bites too, which turned into a hilarious mess. One of the dishes we ended up ordering (we didn’t look at the ingredients) was an olive and anchovy skewered on a toothpick. I don’t like olives, our friend Bec doesn’t like olives OR anchovies and our friend Nicole has a seafood allergy.

As for my pants, they’re once again from Sillage, but this time, I thrifted them during my holiday in Japan, back in December last year (and if you follow my TikTok, you might recall this trip with my bestie of 17 years). 

I picked up the white shirt from a cute little boutique in the Blue Mountains that I had bought as a birthday present for myself. What drew me to it was the texture, reminiscent of Maison Margiela’s style, especially with the small notches of contrast stitching going down the shirt.

Thursday

After a string of morning meetings, my team treated me to a welcome lunch at a local pub. Feeling a bit adventurous (and financially free since the company was paying for my meal), I opted for something fancy – a juicy ribeye steak paired with all the fixings: chips, salad, and not one, but two sauces! The mushroom sauce and gravy were an extra three dollars each, but hey, why not live a little?

For my skirt, I wore my vintage Burberry skirt that I purchased from a designer vintage store while in Seoul. If you know me, I am obsessed (a little too much) with plaid prints and the moment I saw the skirt I had to get it. 

The jersey I was wearing was also purchased in Seoul, from this cool boutique called Supy in Myeongdong. They stock pieces from small independent designers, each with their own unique vibe. It’s the kind of place where you can find something truly special that sets you apart from the crowd.

And let’s talk about my shoes – my beloved Ganni ballerina flats. Seriously, forget about ‘What would your death row meal be?’, let’s talk about death row outfits. These shoes would for sure somehow be a part of that outfit.

Friday

It was a laid-back day, typical for a Friday. Despite the calm, I was buzzing with excitement because I had tickets to see Blink-182 later that evening. Admittedly, I wasn’t too familiar with their music, but I had been invited as an influencer and honestly, it turned out to be one of the most incredible concert experiences I’ve ever had.

There was something liberating about not feeling the pressure to ‘have fun’ because I wasn’t super familiar with their songs. Instead of the usual rush to be at the front of the mosh pit or frustration over tall people blocking my view of the stage, I found myself simply vibing with the music. It was a refreshing change from the usual concert anxiety.

Since it was a chill day, I opted for something cute and comfy. The jeans are from Rag & Bone, which I purchased during an Incu warehouse sale. The fit of the jeans was actually meant to be high-waisted but since they only had a pair of size 30-inch left I ended up taking them to the tailor to fix them into my go-to pair of low-rise jeans. I think they turned out perfect. 

The top is from a Vietnamese brand called Hypnotism, which my best friend bought me on her recent trip there. I love the asymmetrical ruching detail and the length of it, making it super easy to tuck into a pair of pants.