It's not just any e-comm site that can sell Tom Ford alongside Topshop, or Gucci next to Gap, but Lyst isn't your typical online store. The London-based cult fave is known for selling hundreds of contemporary and high-end fashion brands for both women and men alike, and the company's strategy of tailoring designers, styles, and trends specifically to individual shoppers is what sets it apart—and keeps us from getting overwhelmed. We visited the Lyst offices across the pond to see just how its stylish staffers put their looks together, offline. Below, see what eight of 'em wear to work.
Harriet Hawksworth, Editorial Director, is wearing a Reformation sweater, Zara pants, Stuart Weitzman boots, a vintage jacket, and vintage jewelry.
What's your typical office uniform?
Completely random—it could be anything from flared leather trousers to some old Levis my dad gave me. I'm obsessed with Reformation at the moment. I also have a weird fur hat that I got at a flea market in Williamsburg. People in the office call it "the banter hat."
What are your beauty must-haves?
I keep a rosewater spray on my desk to freshen up before I retouch my make-up. I also love Estee Lauder Concealer.
What's the most sentimental piece you own?
My grandmother's cameo ring with a picture of the goddess Artemis, and feather
earring made by my uncle. He welded a piece of vintage chain onto a shard of silver.
What sets London fashion apart?
It's creative, people take risks, and are brave and not afraid to dress up and make an effort. I'm proud to be a Londoner—we wear our history on our sleeves!
What other city do you think has the best style?
Old men in Milan look cool.
Who would you swap wardrobes with in a heartbeat?
Kate Moss, obvi. Also Marianne Faithfull, Anita Pallenberg, and Diana Ross.
Who are your personal style icons?
Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde and Julie Christie in Don't Look Now.
What's the best style advice you've ever gotten?
Don't follow trends. Don't trust a man with grey shoes.
Simon Dance, Head of Organic Acquisition, is wearing a COS sweatshirt, an APC T-shirt, Edwin jeans, Red Wing Moc boots, and a Daniel Wellington watch.
What's your typical office uniform?
Raw denim jeans and Red Wings, with either an oxford shirt and wool sweater combo or a soft jersey sweatshirt (typically from COS or Carhartt). Always in navy, grey, black, or blue.
What's the most sentimental piece you own?
My gold wedding band. I've been married nearly 5 years, and it took me almost as much time to find a watch that I loved that would go with my ring. In the end I went for a Daniel Wellington number, which will do nicely until I get myself an understated Omega or vintage Rolex.
Where do you do most of your online shopping?
I browse Lyst on my iPad to discover new brands, and I tend to buy a fair bit from COS, Mr Porter, and Oki-Ni. I spend more on shoes that I do anything else, and recently treated myself to a pair of Grensons. I'm about to buy a second pair for spring, and I've got my eye on a pair of marble effect Balenciaga trainers too. I'm just waiting for the right price, and then I'll commit.
What's the best style advice you've ever gotten?
My wife works in fashion and has been pretty instrumental; she always champions
keeping things simple and classic. I think my style has been heavily influenced by her.
Who are your personal style icons?
I typically choose function above style (I love my Hunter puffer jacket and Red Wings), and this guides a lot of what I buy and what inspires me. That said, I think Patrick Grant owns it—peacoats, cashmere jumpers, nice shirts, and great suits.
Miyon Im, Head of Product, is wearing a Zara coat, a Gucci cardigan, a Maison Margiela vest, a COS T-shirt, Current/Elliott jeans, Acne boots, a Zara bag, a Tom Binns necklace, and a Shore Projects watch.
What's your typical office uniform?
Jeans, boots, and some sort of layering scarf at my desk. Zara made some great ones last
season.
What are your beauty must-haves?
Asian beauty brands! I buy them off eBay. BB Cream from Missha, liquid black eyeliner
from Etude House, and mascara by Majolica Majorca. I also love my Shiseido eyelash curler.
What's the most sentimental piece you own?
My Chloé Paraty bag, which is one of the first designer things I ever owned. It's such a
classy shape and roomy and elegant. I don't want to overuse it because I love it so much.
Where do you do most of your online shopping?
Lyst! It's so useful be able to shop all the brands I love on one site. I've recently bought from Avenue 32, Zara, and The Outnet.
What's the best style advice you've ever gotten?
"Remove one thing before you go out." Coco Chanel will never lead you astray.
Caroline Ohrn, Product Manager, is wearing Comme des Garcons heels, Chloé trousers, an ASOS shirt, a Sophie Hulme belt, Dinny Hall earrings, an Hermès scarf, a Cartier watch, a M.Wiesneck jacket, and a Marc Jacobs handbag.
What's your typical office uniform?
Understated chic with a statement piece (I'm particularly fond of scarves or earrings).
What are your beauty must-haves?
Lots of sleep, good moisturiser, Clarins éclat minute, red lipstick, and manicured nails.
What's the most sentimental piece you own?
My Cartier watch, which was a present from my dad.
What other city, besides London, do you think has the best style?
Paris, where it's all about elegance.
What fashion or style rule do you shamelessly break?
I love to wear chunky boots with an over-the-top, glamorous gown.
Who would you swap wardrobes with in a heartbeat?
Jenny Cossons at Lyst! But just for a day—I don't think I'd manage to wear those heels for any longer.
What's the best style advice you've ever gotten?
Always choose quality materials, and always think about the details.
Jenny Cossons, Head of Partnerships, is wearing a Self Portrait dress, Prada shoes, a Monica Vinader bracelet, and a Fendi bag.
What's your typical office uniform?
I'm a real statement dress and skirt girl—I never wear jeans and only own one pair of
trousers. My favorite brands are MSGM, Erdem, Altuzarra, and Self-Portrait. I'm a huge shoe person too (thank you Sophia Webster and Paul Andrew). I'm defying the flat shoe trend, because the higher the heel the better I feel!
What are your beauty must-haves?
I love Chantecaille—their Ultra Sun Protectror SPF50 Primer, flower-infused cleansing milk and Nano-Gold Moisturising cream are the best products in the world. I also can't live without Charlotte Tilbury makeup—her Light Wonder Foundation and Full Fat Lashes Mascara are the best I've ever used, and I've tried dozens!
What's the most sentimental piece you own?
I bought a small black patent Chanel 2.55 bag with burgundy trim when I was pregnant with my daughter Ariadne, who is now 7. Every time I use it I think of her.
What's the best style advice you've ever gotten?
Have one key focus in your outfit. If you have too many things going on it distracts the eye, and make a less impactful statement.
What sets London style apart?
The creativity and inclination to take risks that you see in London designers like
Christopher Kane, Erdem, Nicholas Kirkwood, and Simone Rocha is exciting and so much fun. London doesn't play it safe, which I love!
Daniela Cadore, digital designer, is wearing Cheap Monday boots, Cos trousers, an & Other Stories shirt, a Zara blazer, an Olivia Burton watch, and an & Other Stories bracelet.
What's your typical office uniform?
I don't really have a uniform, but I like to team pretty much everything with a great pair of boots.
What are your beauty must-haves?
A good night's sleep, lots of water, and once a week I use a Malin + Goetz Detox Face
Mask.
What's the most sentimental piece you own?
I have a few pieces from my Mum's wardrobe, things that she wore when she was my age. I used to dress up in her clothes when I was a child. I was so happy the day I found out that I could actually fit into them.
Where do you do most of your online shopping?
Lyst! No surprises there. It's revolutionized the way I shop. I also like Etsy for discovering unusual gifts.
What sets London fashion apart?
London is so multicultural, and I think that feeds into Londoners' eclectic style. London girls aren't scared of color and print, or to experiment with different looks.
What's the best style advice you've ever gotten?
Focus on the essentials. Get the basics right.
What other city, besides London, do you think has the best style?
I'm Brazilian, but growing up on the border I always admired the effortless style of Argentinian girls.
Who are your personal style icons?
Giorgia Tordini. She always looks amazing.
What fashion or style rule do you shamelessly break?
I don't even know the rules, so I guess theoretically, I can't break them!
Eddie Bell, Lead Data Scientist, is wearing a Carven sweatshirt, Oni 512 jeans, and Kenzo hi-top sneakers.
What's your typical office uniform?
Red Wings or high-tops, raw denim jeans, and a statement sweatshirt.
What's the most sentimental piece you own?
Probably my Oni 512 raw denim jeans. They were hand-made by an old reclusive man in Japan, and they've been with me for two years, worn almost every day and only washed twice! Or perhaps my YMC willow-print sweatshirt, because it kicked off my sweatshirt obsession.
Where do you do most of your online shopping?
Lyst first—of course!—and then Farfetch.
Who are your personal style icons?
Regular people with interesting style. And lumberjacks.