REINVENT YOUR WORK STYLE

Tell us how the Step Up club started.

Alice: Phanella (pictured, right) and I had very different careers originally – I was a journalist and Phanella was a fund manager. I’ve been good friends with Phanella’s husband for a long time, then I met her at a party and we ended up talking about women’s career issues. I had gone freelance after having kids and wasn’t enjoying it, while Phanella, despite being very successful, was unhappy in her career path. We realised we had very different but complementary skills and decided to write a book for women at a crux point in their careers – that was the start of the Step Up Club.

Why is choosing great workwear important?

Phanella: Confidence in your appearance is very important. Good clothes mean you feel great and influence the way other people perceive you. When I started working as a junior lawyer, we all wore black suits but now you can wear a bright suit, dresses, great separates – there are lots of options. Even if you are not particularly into fashion, it’s worth taking time to think about what you wear to work, as it can have a big impact on how people react to you.

How has working together impacted your style?

Phanella: We’ve definitely had a big influence on each other’s style. When we started working together I dressed more formally because I was used to working in the corporate world.

Alice: I’m much more smart and polished because of Phanella – when I used to work at The Times in the UK I dressed so casually! I still feel like I’m always the baggier one whereas she is very pulled-together, but we have rubbed off positively on each other.