What to Wear To Work: Sharmadean Reid

This is a guest article by Fedora Abu, Originally published via Workwear inc

A few days ago, I had the total pleasure of taking part in a workwear event at the Theory store on Regent Street, where I got to interview the founder of The Stack World, Sharmadean Reid. Today’s newsletter is a brief summary of our conversation, where we chatted workwear lessons from her fashion assistant days, fictional office-style inspo, and the best way to look good on business trips while packing hand luggage only.

For those who don’t know, Sharmadean Reid is a bit of an icon. She’s founded a slew of super-cool brands – the first being the revolutionary nail salon WAH Nails, and the latest this incredible media-company-cum-community that is The Stack World. Earlier this year, she wrote New Methods For Women (subtitle: A Manifesto for Independence), which is also the name of her Very Good newsletter – one of the handful I pay for. And she’s currently working on her second book, all about equity, as well as a TV script about female founders. Whew!

On top of that impressive CV, Sharmadean is famously a mentor to and champion of young ambitious women – generous enough to share all the incredible learnings from her 20-year career with them, and to invite me to get involved with this event when I reached out to her and mentioned Workwear Inc.

I have to say a huge thank to Theory, too. As you’re probably already aware from the sheer number of times I’ve mentioned them in this newsletter, the brand is one of my absolute favourites for workwear, and both Sharmadean and I were dressed in their clothes for the evening. The best bit of all? As part of this fabulous partnership, Stack World members and Workwear Inc. readers get 20% off the collection with the code STACK20, so you can look as chic as Sharmadean did when you’re swanning into the office this October. Go forth and shop.

What’s your work week looking like nowadays?

So I actually moved out of London earlier this year, and I now live in the countryside. When I’m working from home, I still get dressed for the day but I’m mostly in crocs. It’s when I come into London for a few days a week – for meetings, events, mentoring – that I actually dress up a bit. Although I am known to be a fan of slippers in the office.

What’s the secret to bringing your own sense of style to your workwear?

It’s all about balance. I remember when I was shot for the cover of Courier magazine, I wore this white suit but I threw in my beaded Jamaica necklace. Small details like that tell people that you’re not like everyone else, and it throws them off bit. With my outfit now, I can get away with fishnets and red shoes because the rest of the look is so smart and polished. My style in general has always been about that mix of ‘streetwear’ and high-end fashion.

Can you remember any workwear faux pas you’ve made?

Honestly, I think as a Black woman, you’re so hyper-aware of your presence in the workplace that you feel you can’t really afford to make those sort of ‘faux pas’. However, I do remember, when I was interning at magazines, I had to go to a meeting at The Wolseley and I didn’t have a nice coat to wear so I just went without. My boss had a go at me for it – she thought it was ‘so northern’.

What did you learn about dressing for work in your styling days?

My boss in those days told me that if you don’t have fancy clothes and can’t afford to buy anything new, just wear head-to-toe black. That’s what I’d say to women who are starting out in creative industries like fashion. And always be referencing. I assisted Nicola Formichetti and he taught me that in fashion, it’s all about what you were reading, whose work you were looking at, which artists were inspiring you. That’s what’s shaped a lot of my style today.

Who are your workwear icons, real-life or fictional?

Have you seen Working Girl? I’m obsessed with that movie. Melanie Griffith plays this woman who’s trying to work her way up the career ladder in New York in the eighties. At the beginning she’s dressed pretty gaudy, and by the end she looks super chic. Also Robin Givens in the film Boomerang, which is set in a Black-owned advertising agency in the nineties. It reminds me that style isn’t just about the clothes – it’s about the details. The nails, the hair, everything.

Tell me about how you pack for business trips with hand-luggage only and still look amazing. That’s very chic.

The secret is you’ve got to find a colour palette and stick to it. I’m going to New York soon and I’ve basically gone for red, navy, black and camel, which means everything will go together. I’ve been doing that for years and I never overpack.

If you had to pick one piece from the Theory collection to invest in, what would it be?

Definitely a coat. If you’ve got a great coat, that’s really all that matters. The camel trench coat is super luxurious – the sort of piece you’d keep forever and pass on to your kids. Or I’d make a statement and go for leopard print. Clothing is a way of communicating without speaking, and wearing this would make you instantly memorable.

Heels for work: yes or no?

I had a phase during the pandemic where I thought I’d never wear heels again. Then I realised that it’s just about the right heel – there’s a very specific height that works for me. I’m not a fan of switching out of trainers into heels, though. It kills the illusion. If you’re doing trainers with a suit, do trainers with a suit. If you’re doing a heel, then wear a heel that works for you.

What does power dressing look like to you?

For me, it’s all about great fabrics. When I go into a shop, I’m just touching everything. I want someone to go in to hug me and to think, ‘Wow, that feels great.’ For me, that’s real luxury.

You’re famously a big reader. If you had to share one book to level up your career and one to level up your wardrobe, what would they be?

So for style, I’d recommend this book from the nineties called Chic Simple: Women’s Wardrobe. So much of the advice is still really relevant – I think there’s one copy left on Amazon. And for careers, can I say my own book? Only because I think levelling up your career starts with levelling up yourself, and that’s what New Methods is about. Otherwise Principles by Ray Dalio is a book I constantly go back to. I must’ve read it about four times now.

This week’s issue is all about Sharmadean’s personal style, but in case you were wondering what I wore to the event (and got to keep), here’s a quick rundown.

Double Pleat Pant in Admiral Crepe

I’ve said before that I am perpetually on the hunt for the perfect pair of black trousers, and I think I may just have found them. I am incredibly fussy about fit and this wide-leg shape with the pleats just did everything I needed them to (namely, make me look snatched at the waist and my legs look super long). I genuinely couldn’t recommend them enough – I even wore them out for dinner the following evening. If in doubt, I’d recommend sizing down, or trying them on in the shop. I’m usually a UK6-8, and I opted for their US00.

Sweater Tee in Regal Wool and Cropped Sweater in Cashmere

I’m a big fan of the double knit look – essentially a T-shirt knit with a matching jumper shrugged over the shoulders. Very chic. Theory has a few colours of these gorgeous cashmere knits, but I opted for the ivory, of course, to channel my inner Olivia Pope.

Oaklane Trench Coat in Admiral Crepe

This coat made me feel so expensive. It’s a lightweight trench cut from Theory’s signature crepe – the sort of piece that’s perfect for in-between autumn weather with a jumper layered underneath. But it’s also sleek and dressy enough that you could wear it out for drinks in the evening or to business lunches and not have everyone ask why you’ve still got your coat on.