A week in work outfits with fashion student and FJ intern, Liv Ledwidge

“I study fashion so it’s kind of an unspoken rule.”

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?

Having moved from the Sunshine Coast to Melbourne earlier this year, Liv Ledwidge found the fashion scene in the south of Australia drastically different compared to the “coastal civilian” attire she was used to back home. As well as being a student at RMIT studying a Bachelor of Fashion Enterprise, Liv juggles retail work and is undertaking Fashion Journal‘s editorial intern program.

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This is her first Melbourne winter – though she argues it’s more like her first proper winter ever. Between university, work and an internship, Liv has been “gravitating towards ’90s-style pieces in earthy tones and black and white”. In lieu of thongs and T-shirts, she’s reaching for leather jackets and blazers to keep the cold at bay. Below, she takes us through a week of work outfits.

Monday

Monday is one of the two days a week I have uni. I somewhat dress up for it while remaining pretty casual (I study fashion so it’s kind of an unspoken rule). I was in the mood to wear my Birkenstock Boston clogs which are in the most gorgeous taupe colour, so I went with neutral tones today. Recently, I’ve been a sucker for a plain long sleeve; they’re the best base pieces to start any outfit with.

In this case, I channelled my inner baggy pants lover and threw on my favourite pants at the moment – a pair of Rag and Bone jeans I got at Incu. To dress the look up a bit, I paired it with my Ralph Lauren trench coat that has thoughtful detailing and the most stunning silk scarf tie – it’s my wardrobe holy grail.

Tuesday

Similar to Monday, I started my day off at uni. But it’s only a half day of classes, so I opted for something more chill. I wasn’t really in the mood to think about my outfit so I just paired some baggy jeans from Levi’s with a staple mock-neck top. This is becoming a uniform for me.

I threw on my oversized brown leather bomber I got from American Rag that’s lined with the warmest plaid interior, to remind myself it’s not actually summer. To finish the look, I put on my Adidas Sambas (let’s be honest, they’re worth the hype) and my slouchy handbag from Status Anxiety to tie in the black.

Wednesday

Today I’m at the Fashion Journal office, so I was feeling a business casual serve. I picked up these grey tailored pants from the op shop and today was their first outing. I paired them with a Dissh ruched long-sleeve. I’m a big fan of dressing minimalist, but layering or adding an interesting silhouette to give the outfit a more ‘cool girl’ vibe.

For this day, I decided to experiment with the skirt over pants trend I’m seeing all over my TikTok feed by layering a black mini skirt from Melbourne-based brand, With Harper Lu. It’s safe to say I’m a huge fan. To match the grey pants, I recently bought a pair of Asics Gel-Nimbus 9 sneakers in the black, silver and pink colourway and I’ve been loving them for everyday wear and the effortless sense of cool they add to outfits.

Thursday

It wasn’t an extremely cold day for another day at the Fashion Journal office, so I took the opportunity to wear a lace cami. I’ve been obsessed with lace pieces at the moment, especially pairing something so dainty with a more oversized silhouette. I got this one at the Fitzroy Mills Markets. I paired it with a grey pleated wool skirt I got from the same market – I’d been searching for a skirt like this since I moved and I can’t describe how excited I was when I found it!

I threw on another vintage leather jacket I also got from American Rag and to tie in the black, I grabbed my black Adidas Superstars. They’re arguably my most worn pair of sneakers and yes, I know they’re very 2016. I see a lot of people stray away from all-black sneakers but honestly, I think they’re essential for any good wardrobe.

Friday

My day started with going to work, however, I had plans for dinner and drinks afterwards so I was feeling something a little more elevated, but still comfortable. I recently bought this black tailored maxi skirt from Kookai and today was its first outing. I paired it with a grey pinstripe vest and an oversized grey blazer from Dissh. I worked there before I moved hence why half my wardrobe is from there.

For my shoes, I wanted to add a pop of colour (which is rare for me). My yellow Onitsuka Tiger Limber NMs were the choice, they’re my shoe of the season. Since I was going out after, I grabbed my Status Anxiety crossbody bag.

For more of Liv’s looks, follow her on Instagram here.