Welcome to Working It, where Racked follows street style into the office. Forget pedestrian khakis and button-downs—these fashionable professionals take dress codes to a whole new dimension. Quick, somebody call HR!
Photos by Driely S. for Racked
Online marketplace 1stdibs specializes in furnishing beautiful interiors, so it makes sense that its New York City office resembles a luxury apartment (just with a lot more laptops). The site culls everything from fine jewelry to antiques and puts it on one easy-to-shop platform where you can shop by country, category, or collection, like desk accessories or Rococo antiques.
After the jump, meet the 1stdibs team and see what they wear to work, plus get tips on how to combine looks from different decades and find out just what pieces gets better with age.
Kate Klobe, Head of Social Media, is wearing a Céline top, Topshop culottes, Lanvin shoes, a Cartier watch, and jewelry from Dior, Claire's, Hermès, ASOS, and Kenneth Jay Lane.
What are your beauty must-haves?
Healthy hair and complex fragrances. I trust Steven at Garren for the former, and Diptyque for the latter.
What's your go-to office outfit?
So not groundbreaking, but blazers from Theory or The Row, camisoles from ASOS, and denim by Frame. And then ballet flats from Repetto or Manolo Blahnik BB pumps, depending on how authoritative I need to feel that day.
What are your tips for combining different decades?
Anything goes, but just never do a period beauty look to match your clothing. That's called a costume.
Is there anything you own that's just gotten better with age?
My Omersa leather rhino ottoman and my ill-tempered Persian cat, Coco.
Who would you swap wardrobes with in a heartbeat?
My respectable answer is Sofia Coppola. My honest answer is Carrie Bradshaw. When I think about longer narratives in American fashion, the costumes that Patricia Field created for that show were really the genesis of what we now term "street style."
Who is your professional role model?
I like unapologetic power-mongers with a healthy dose of sangfroid. Martha Stewart and Anna Wintour are at the top of that list.
What was your first job?
I worked at a hedge fund with a business formal dress code! Nightmarish. One time I was asked to take off a statement necklace.
What decade should the world never revisit, fashion-wise?
A lot of people would disagree with this, but I find very literal interpretations of 1960s mod style to be a bit corny.
Who's your personal style icon, living or dead?
Before 9pm, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. After 9pm, Kim Kardashian West.
Laura Schneider, Head of PR, is wearing a vintage Norman Norrell from Katy Kane on 1stdibs, Aquazzura shoes, a Cartier watch, Harry Winston and vintage rings, and an Hermès bracelet.
What's your go-to office outfit?
In PR, you never know when you'll have to grab coffee with an editor or run to an event at the last minute, so I try to look polished and put together. I typically wear a simple shift dress or jeans, a Rag & Bone blazer, and flats.
Is there anything you own that's just gotten better with age?
I own a 1950s Paavo Tynell chandelier that belonged to my grandmother. It's my prized possession and I know I'll hang it in every home I live in for the rest of my life.
What are your tips for combining different decades?
Choose classic pieces that never go out of style—that way, you can combine them with contemporary accessories and your look is automatically current. Nothing theme-y or obvious, please.
What era in history do you wish you could visit?
Without a doubt, 18th century France. This is when and where the idea of luxury as we know it began. The opulence in fashion, decorative arts, and architecture is unparalleled; I would love to see it all in person.
What are your beauty must-haves?
Aveeno Daily Moisturizer, Carmex, Chanel Vitalumiere Skin Perfecting Makeup with SPF 15, and Bobbi Brown bronzer. I also like manicured brows, so I go to Sania's Brow Bar. She's the best.
Who is your professional role model?
I'm lucky to have worked with a lot of really strong, intelligent women that I look up to and ask for advice. People like Susy Korb at Anthropologie and Sandrine de Laage, who was head of design at Harry Winston. These are women who have balanced career and family, who are whip-smart, creative, kind, and funny.
Who would you swap wardrobes with in a heartbeat?
Viviana Volpicella! She wears so much color and these amazing feminine silhouettes. It's all very "Italian glamour."
What was your first job?
My first paying job was as a lifeguard. My first real 9 to 5 was at Christie's in London, working in the Impressionist/Modern department.
Who's your personal style icon, living or dead?
There's this moment when Kate Moss was at Cannes in 1997 with Johnny Depp and she wore a minimalist grey dress and a great pair of earrings. That sort of sums it up for me.
Joey Krietemeyer, Senior Graphic Designer, is wearing a Nudie Blazer, a J. Crew T-shirt, Zanerobe pants, Jack & Jones boots, a vintage Omega watch, and a Kiel James Patrick bracelet.
What was your first job?
1stdibs! I've been here for five and a half years, and I'm loving every moment of it.
Is there anything you own that's just gotten better with age?
My 1950s vintage Omega watch—every scratch on the watch face and darkening of the leather strap give it character.
What era in history do you wish you could visit?
Definitely the 1920s. Men looked sharp from head to toe.
What's your go-to office outfit?
From the ground up: A distressed pair of Clark's desert boots, khaki Zanerobe Dynamo pants, and some combination of a T-shirt, denim shirt, and/or neutral sweater.
Who is your professional role model?
Paul Rand. His design work is clean, iconic, and everlasting.
What are your beauty must-haves?
I don't use many products, but I can't live without American Crew Fiber—you should see my hair in the morning!
Who's your personal style icon, living or dead?
Colin Firth's character George in A Single Man. I'm looking forward to the day when my hair starts to salt-and-pepper, and I can embrace my bad eyesight with thick rimmed glasses.
Who would you swap wardrobes with in a heartbeat?
Tom Ford.
What decade should the world never revisit, fashion-wise?
The '00s—I hope I never see a puka shell necklace again.
Emilia Vincent, Head of Events, is wearing a Uniqlo sweater, a vintage Oscar de la Renta skirt, Vince shoes, an antique silver Albert chain necklace from Kentshire, and Sidney Garber rolling bracelets and domed cuff.
What era in history do you wish you could visit?
I'd really like to visit the future. So many of our past decades have been revisited in fashion. I'm interested to see how we will keep reimagining what we wear.
What are your tips for combining different decades?
Mixing and matching has become hugely important in interior design and fashion—today it's almost taboo to work only within one time period. The same goes for mixing high and low. There are so many great designers working at accessible price points, and now we have more to work with than ever.
What's your go-to office outfit?
Since my days are often spent on-site at events, my work outfits need to take me from day to night. I must have pockets, either for my phone and business cards or for a box cutter and a Sharpie. I always have an extra pair of less-sensible shoes on me as well.
What are your beauty must-haves?
As much as I love a dramatic red lip (Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Fiery), typically I focus on really fabulous skincare products so that makeup is less of a necessity. For a normal day at work, I'll use Bare Minerals loose powder, Vincent Longo bronzer, almost any kind of drugstore mascara, and Labello lip gloss, which I stock up on when work takes me to Europe. I would also never be found without a pencil to tie my hair up in a bun.
What was your first job?
I was a lifeguard in high school. Any job where you can swim every day is divine.
Who would you swap wardrobes with in a heartbeat?
Solange! My style has always been very classic and simple, so I'd love to spend a week as someone completely different.
Taylor Bragg, Senior Database Administrator, is wearing Express Rocco Slim Jeans, an Alfani V Neck, and Tom's Ash Aviator Twill Brogues.
Who would you swap wardrobes with in a heartbeat?
I'm not sure about entire wardrobes, but there are a few outfits that I would love to have. Rick Danko's suit from The Last Waltz, John Lennon's all-white suit from the Abbey Road cover, and Eddie Murphy's leather suit from his stand-up special, Raw.
Who's your personal style icon, living or dead?
I think that Jimi Hendrix had a peerless style. Countless people have since tried to imitate him, both in music and in fashion, but have never been able to recreate his aesthetic.
What are your tips for combining different decades?
I typically gravitate toward an understated look, so if I'm mixing different decades, I try not to emphasize more than one theme. It's like the old adage: "If you're going to break the law, only break one law at a time." Or something like that.
Is there anything you own that's just gotten better with age?
I think leather jackets are the quintessential "gets better with age" item. In fact, new leather jackets just look weird. If you own a leather jacket that doesn't have a patch, hole, or stitch-job somewhere on it, then you're not wearing it right. Also, cast-iron pots.
What's your go-to office outfit?
Vintage T-shirt, navy blue jeans, black leather belt, twill brogue shoes. You can never go wrong with a classic look.
What are your beauty must-haves?
A fine-tooth comb and a little bit of pomade can go a long way.
What was your first job?
MScooping ice cream at a tropical ice cream parlor. Like most first jobs, it wasn't very glamorous, but I'd like to think it helped build character.
Cristina Miller, SVP Dealer Relations, is wearing an Iris and Ink dress, Alexander McQueen shoes, Marks & Spencer tights, Scosha and Paul Morelli bracelets, and Seamann Schepps earrings from Gallery 47 on 1stdibs.
Who would you swap wardrobes with in a heartbeat?
My one year old. Her closet is unreal. My mom just gave her an Oscar de la Renta Christmas party dress. And she only wears things once, because she's growing so fast. It's very high-society of her.
Is there anything you own that's just gotten better with age?
My grandmother's clip-on earring collection. I've developed an appreciation for her style and converted many of the clip-ons to posts, so I can wear them with less fear of dropping and losing one. She was a very glamorous lady, but I always found her style to be a bit too "grown up." I guess I've just gotten old(er).
What are your tips for combining different decades?
Just do it.
What's your go-to office outfit?
This time of year it's a black dress, tights and boots—comfy, quick, and elegant should an unscheduled meeting pop up.
What era in history do you wish you could visit?
Actually, I'd prefer to visit the future, about 100 years from now. Think about the progress we've made in the last 100 years.
What are your beauty must-haves?
Navy blue eyeliner and ChapStick.
Who is your professional role model?
My mom. She's an entrepreneur with more energy than anyone I've ever met. She's also my style icon.
What was your first job?
I taught ballet to young children and ran ballet birthday parties. It was probably one of the more lucrative jobs I've ever had.
What decade should the world never revisit, fashion-wise?
I'm a child of the '80s and fully support that decade's style—except mall bangs, which should never make a comeback.
Xiaodi Zhang, Chief Product Officer, is wearing a J.Crew shirt, Joseph pants, a jacket from The Row, Saint Laurent shoes, bracelets from Hermès, Giles & Brother, and Eddie Borgo, a vintage necklace from 1stdibs, and rings from Spain and Hong Kong.
What era in history do you wish you could visit?
I particularly love the 1950s through the 1960s for all their creativity in design, architecture and fashion. Some of my favorite objects were created during that time, including YSL's Mondrian dress, Alexander Girard's textiles, and Eero Saarinen's tulip table. It's no accident that I work at 1stdibs.
Is there anything you own that's just gotten better with age?
Whenever I travel, I seek out local jewelry designers and treat myself to a unique piece of jewelry. These pieces remind me of the amazing time I spent while traveling, and some of my favorite jewelry comes from my trips to Istanbul, Hong Kong, and Madrid.
What's your go-to office outfit?
If I could, I would wear leather shorts all year long and mix them with silk tops and Helmut Lang jackets. Since that's not always work-appropriate (nor weather-appropriate), I also love dresses by Phillip Lim and Tibi. My one rule is to incorporate something unexpected every day, whether it's a pair of silver shoes or a top with a fun print (I love Equipment!).
What are your tips for combining different decades?
Don't co-op a style from a different decade—stay modern and true to yourself. I never dress head-to-toe vintage. I love prints from the '70s, costume jewelry from the '80s, and vintage watches.
Who is your professional role model?
I am inspired by entrepreneurs who have disrupted an industry and built brands with a unique point-of-view, which includes everyone from Estée Lauder to Steve Jobs to Tory Burch.
Who would you swap wardrobes with in a heartbeat?
I tend to vacillate between sleek lines and dramatic flair, so my ideal wardrobe would be a blend of Emmanuelle Alt's Parisian cool and Miroslava Duma's whimsical bursts of color and prints.
What are your beauty must-haves?
Can't live without Cle de Peau Cream Cleanser, rice-based exfoliant by Dermalogica, and Darphin face oils.
Who's your personal style icon, living or dead?
Faye Wong, who is a well-known singer and actress from Hong Kong. She's a style chameleon who can effortlessly transition from an androgynous pantsuit to a feminine lace dress. Through all of her transformations, she's always remained modern and never contrived.
What decade should the world never revisit, fashion-wise?
I survived the '80s and there's no need to relive it!
· 1stdibs [Official Site]
· Working It [Racked]