A week in work outfits with Melbourne-based Content Creator and ‘Wicked’ Cast Member, Joe Donovan

Oversized silhouettes, bold accessories and a mix of high and low.

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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This week, we’re exploring the wardrobe of Content Creator and Actor, Joe Donovan. Currently a cast member in the Melbourne run of Wicked, Joe’s days are spent rehearsing, performing and creating content on the side. Favouring oversized silhouettes, bold accessories and a mix of high and low, he believes it’s “important to dress in a way that will make you feel confident”. Read on to see what garments he’s gravitated to.

Monday

Today I was getting some content done for a brand so this outfit is a little extra. My day was a lot of driving around, a couple of hours of videos and a slight sprinkle of rain in the arvo so I’m glad I was covered up. I’m wearing some navy pinstripe wide-leg pants from Asos because I’m obsessed with mixing street and business styles. The top is a white business shirt from Kmart and listen, I will take no Kmart slander. As a millennial, it’s truly like a late-night affordable Disneyland.

I threw on an oversized varsity jacket stolen from an old roommate I had a few years ago, paired with some chunky black loafers which I had to buy in London to get into a black tie event I attended last minute. Luckily for me, loafers became a huge trend and now are kind of a staple in my wardrobe. The hat was actually what I based this outfit around. The tweed material mixed with the classic NY street flat cap is exactly what I love about the aesthetic of this trend. To finish it up my orange lens glasses which go with just about anything, a beige tie and my house keys.

Tuesday

Had a phone call with a friend in London this morning which inspired this look today. I threw on my I HEART LONDON shirt I got on my last visit from a souvenir shop outside Big Ben and styled around that. Obviously, my chunky black loafers which I got on the same trip had to be incorporated into this look.

After a shoot day, I like to review content with fresh eyes and finish off some edits by adding the final touches so comfort is a must. A lot of people don’t find jeans comfortable but I disagree. These baggy blue jeans are so light that they’re perfect for a day like today. Then had a cast member’s birthday drinks so I threw on a faux leather/fur jacket and dupe Acne scarf from Kmart (another W for Kmart) for the walkover. Lastly, the hat is from Amiri, and I’ve paired it with my trusty orange lenses and house keys.

Wednesday

First day of the working week at Wicked and it’s a double show day! I felt like dressing a bit cozy today so styled around my warmest cardigan because I usually nap in between shows. Theatre sounds glamorous sometimes but the reality is every Wednesday at 4.30pm you can find me on the floor under my desk trying to catch some Zs, so my comfy blue jeans were an obvious pick, paired with a singlet I cut from Paddy’s Market in Sydney.

I think it’s important to dress in a way that will make you feel confident and inform the way the world perceives you. For this reason, I’ve dressed it up slightly with some two-tone graphic Playboy loafers and vintage frames from the Lost and Found Market. Lastly, a cream beanie to tie it all together and keep my head warm when I’m under my desk. Double show days can be hard and even though it’s a Wednesday, it’s a theatre performer’s Monday. A way I usually combat the ‘Monday blues’ is to order Uber Eats and play some PlayStation when I get home. Tonight was KFC and Hogwarts Legacy.

Thursday

Today I had to get a bunch of life admin done before the show so again I chose to wear something comfy. A lot of boring emails, tax and conceptualizing, then off to pick up a castmate that I carpool into the theatre with every day. I got my second coffee for the day and had a quick shop before the hour call. Yesterday we went with a very vanilla ice cream colour palette so today I’m going to mix it up. I found my brightest top which is this orange vintage Harley tee I cut paired with some green tartan Jaded London shorts.

Adding more colour so the look feels more intentional, I paired it with my Kmart dupe Acne scarf. I think it’s important to know colours aren’t the only thing that can make an outfit cohesive. Today I wanted to play with texture and patterns which I think help make this outfit fun even though to some it might be a little ugly. It’s good ugly… gugly? Lastly, I threw on my Amiri leather hat because I love its unique shape and low-cut Doc Martens to tie in the black.

Friday

I wanted to style these new Adidas shoes I bought yesterday for 50 per cent off. They were just giving Beyonce’s Renaissance and as soon as I saw them I knew they had to be mine. It felt like it needed a Sporty Spice vibe and I was excited to try a more ‘bloke core’ aesthetic. I also am starting to play with layering as it’s getting a little colder here in Melbourne so I layered the black and white Worship jersey over a Stax black hoodie for comfort and warmth. We have some Collingwood footy fans in the cast so I knew they would eat this look up.

To give it a little twist so I don’t look too straight, I incorporated this Stefan Cooke scarf I got for 60 per cent off (practically free) in a way I saw it worn on the runway during his show. I felt inspired to create some more content today before work so I filmed and edited a new Reel and played a little more Hogwarts Legacy before carpooling into work. After the show, driving home with the cast members is honestly one of the highlights of my day because I play some of the greatest hits of all time, like ‘Untouched’ by The Veronicas at full volume (usually screaming every lyric).

Saturday

Another double show day and the start of the weekend which always feels like running a small marathon at Wicked. Looking at my wardrobe today I knew I wanted to wear this yellow shirt that I found at Swop in Collingwood. I’ve worn jeans a lot this week so I went for more of a business casual look with the pinstripe wide-leg suit pants. I threw on a white singlet, loafers and cap to incorporate a little more street style and headed in.

This morning I was able to fit in a quick coffee with a friend before heading into the first show of our four-show weekend. Being towards the end of the week, Saturdays are all about conserving energy to make sure you can get through these next shows. In other words, a lot of caffeine.

Sunday

We made it to the last two shows of the week which is always something to be celebrated. Today felt like a Timberland day as I’ve been obsessed with New York street fashion lately. Honestly, you can never go wrong with a white tee and blue denim and since it’s the end of the week, the brain capacity is running low, so that’s what we are going to do. I paired it with my oversized white Marni tee, some dark blue denim jeans and a blue business shirt.

Today some of the cast and crew are meeting up with an old cast member from my previous show Moulin Rouge between shows for dinner at a local Vietnamese restaurant. After a huge week sometimes my body has a few things that don’t feel great so an appointment with the company physio is always appreciated. And that’s it! Finished off the last show of the week for a well-earned two days of rest. Come see Wicked before we leave or just follow me on Instagram to see the occasional BTS.