Every woman has had the universal experience of staring into their closet before work and thinking “will this outfit still feel perfect at 7pm dinner with the girls like it does right now for my full day of obligations?” There has been a narrative perpetuated within the fashion industry and social media that certain clothing pieces are only appropriate for one occasion, season or even time of the day.
As the workday comes to an end, many of us instinctively believe it’s time for an outfit change too. It’s easy to convince ourselves that we need an entire selection of clothes for our day, and an entirely different one for our evenings. Search “desk to drinks” online and you’ll find endless articles on how to transform yourself for the evening – instructing women on how to add to or change their outfit completely to go from “day to night”.
Perhaps the problem isn’t our schedule but the way we’ve been taught to shop for one-off pieces, instead of leaning into our inner stylist and rewearing what’s in our wardrobes. What if we said we were tired of the rules and instead invested in clothing that evolves naturally with us throughout the day, and stayed in our closets for even longer?
That’s exactly what Sydney based fashion label Bristowe is creating with their clothing. Bristowe is a womenswear fashion label established in 2024 by mother-daughter duo Gillian Bristowe and Eloise Bristowe Coleman. With a focus on creating timeless pieces that provide versatility in a woman’s wardrobe, without compromising style, and instead emulating confident femininity, Bristowe is challenging the industry’s insistence that we need to fill our closets with one time wears. Their style is chic and elegant with the modern woman in mind, offering pieces that showcase elevated tailoring that can be worn from desk to drinks, effortlessly.
The hours after work shouldn’t feel like another task to complete. They’re the moments we look forward to all day – dinner with friends, gallery openings, spontaneous cocktails or date nights that remind us we’re more than our job title. The best wardrobes don’t ask us to completely reinvent ourselves the moment we leave the office. They simply move with us into whatever the evening holds.
I myself have often struggled to find the perfect button up shirt or suit pants that actually flatters my body, and can see me through multiple activities and outings. By emphasising the use of premium fabrics and tailored silhouettes, Bristowe is designing clothes that aren’t just desirable, but also with longevity and versatility.
What is an investment piece in a world of fast fashion and endless micro trends? It is those pieces that go with everything, that encourage multiple wears and are of high quality – designed to last with you. I’m sure we are all guilty of buying a brand new outfit for an occasion, or insisting we need to go home and change our outfit after work before an evening out. But why do we feel that pressure?
I recently fell into a rabbit hole of Instagram reels showing women racing from work to a dinner, one outing to the next, stripping their outfits off, manipulating their day attire into a “night time appropriate” fit, and changing some items completely. All I could think was “how exhausting!” We’ve somehow normalised the idea that “desk to drinks” requires a complete transformation, as though the woman sitting in the boardroom can’t be the same woman enjoying cocktails an hour later.
Has social media and fast fashion really made us feel it necessary to do all that, to follow these unspoken rules of “day to night” dressing? The very moments we’re dressing for: the drinks after work, the dinner reservation or the gallery opening are supposed to feel effortless, and Bristowe’s pieces provide that effortlessly fashionable look for every purpose.
Bristowe has a mission to change our perspectives and to create clothes that evolve with us throughout our day, that you can’t wait to wear over and over because you simply feel as good in them as you look!
I see endless TikToks of shopping hauls, reiterating the pressure to over consume whilst we have closets full of outfits that we could be reinventing!
When we step away from the “occasional dressing” mindset and prioritise styling over shopping, we are also encouraging ourselves to discover our own personal style. By investing in core wardrobe pieces, taking items we already own and styling them, we get so much more use out of our clothing.
Pieces like Bristowe’s Hemming Blazer can be worn to work with their matching tailored suit pants and loafers, then easily transformed for an evening out by swapping into some heels and more statement accessories. Or their beautifully constructed Ryden Vest and Shorts for a day of meetings then easily worn straight to casual drinks at the bar. The outfit feels entirely different, yet its foundation remains exactly the same.
The foundation doesn’t have to change to take on a completely new vibe. Their matching Jensen Shirt and Skirt set is another perfect example of investing in pieces that can be worn again and again, mixed and matched with other items in your wardrobe – proving that thoughtfully designed wardrobe staples remove the need for constant outfit changes while still feeling polished for every setting.
When you invest in pieces you are investing in yourself, and confidence can come from knowing your clothes support every version of you and your day.
After hours isn’t asking us to become someone new – it simply gives us permission to reveal another side of ourselves. Our wardrobe shouldn’t have to change completely to do the same.
Through commitment to creating timeless and considered styles, Bristowe and their pieces are here to remind us that the importance should be placed less on what we are wearing and more on how it makes us feel. Confident, beautiful and most of all, authentically yourself.
Bristowe will be at The Findery Pop Up at Prim Haus in Sydney from October 31st to November 1st, offering the perfect opportunity to discover the gorgeous pieces and wardrobe staples that will carry you through every part of your day.
Because after hours isn’t about changing who you are, it’s about finally dressing for the part of the day that belongs entirely to you. From desk to drinks and everything in between, Bristowe proves that the best investment pieces don’t ask you to change your outfit – they effortlessly move with you through every chapter of your day.
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