For designer and artist Anchyi Wei being fearless and fashionable is the only option in the workplace.
Fashion lovers in the area have been turning to Anchyi Wei for office outfit inspiration since her co-workers began chronicling her daily looks for the fashion blog Anchyi @ Work. What was originally created as a diary of Wei’s fabulous ‘work to event’ outfits, shifted to focus on maternity style once she announced her pregnancy. Now, she has found a balance between her former sartorial choices and those as a mother to son Aison.
“Comfort is definitely more important to me than it ever was. There are many fashionable options that are also comfortable,” she says.
Wei stresses the importance of fearlessness when it comes to style, even in the workplace.
“I think the craziest thing that I have worn to work is this vintage 1950s swing dress. It had a full circle skirt and I put on a crinoline (skirt) underneath it so that it was even more poofy; trying to sit down on my desk chair with that thing was a lot of fun,” she says.
While Wei enjoys a good fashion moment in the office, she does emphasize the need to stay respectful—keep the skin showing to a minimum and no ripped jeans.
In addition to her work as a designer, Wei also serves as creative director for the open art studio and lounge Art Jamz (created by husband Michael Clements), works as a photographer and creates one-of-a-kind pieces for her eponymous jewelry line. Although she has slowed down production a bit since the birth of her son, her ultimate goal is to work with a manufacturer to create a larger line in the future. Until then, clients can purchase pieces by appointment and visit her blog daily for a healthy dose of outfit envy.—Angela Bobo
1 “This is from Pretty People Vintage [now closed] and I think it is from the very first blog post I ever did. I love mixing vintage with a little bit of modern.”
2 “A black blazer (H&M) is just something good to keep in the office in case I ever have a meeting I can just throw it on if I need to be a little bit more conservative.”
3 “The dress (Ostwald Helgason) is something fun and makes me feel young, but it’s totally office appropriate if I just pair it with leggings.”
4 “That (Theory dress) is something that you can wear all year long. In the winter I would pair it with a cashmere turtleneck.”
5 “These are bold pieces that can be used to dress up an otherwise conservative outfit. They are from my collection (Anchyi Wei Designs).”
6 “[The Chanel Bag] is something that I can wear to work as well as after work events.”
7 “The [Reiss] hat is great for days when I don’t want to do my hair. My co-workers call me Carmen Sandiego when I wear that.”
8 “A pair of nude heels [Christian Louboutin] just goes with everything. I have a collection of heels just sitting beneath my desk—commute by flats and change into heels at my desk.”
(February 2015)