Wardrobe Diaries

After a weekend away, I checked my emails this morning to a Drapers editor’s pick. The overarching theme of this week’s was sexual harassment in the work place. While I intend this blog to be mainly fun and carefree, I would be naive to waste the opportunity to use this platform I am building to speak on important matters. Reading these articles as a woman planning on entering this industry is a sobering experience. And I can’t help but feel frustration with the failure to protect and respect women in 2025. Have we really come as far as we say?

The theme of this weeks Drapers Editor’s pick comes after Primark CEO Paul Marchant’s resignation with immediate effect after an investigation into his conduct in the workplace (Weston, 2025). As well as this, the week’s must-reads included Winifred Okocha’s report on the possibility of Harrods’ dishing out up to £300,000 in compensation due to harassment at the hands of previous owner Mohammed Al Fayed. It’s a scary thought, seeing how many men in power abuse it; creating fewer and fewer safe spaces for women.

A question I have found myself repeatedly asking is why aren’t there more women in charge in this industry? The fashion industry is marketed and aimed at women and girls, so why aren’t we the ones that the top? In 2024, out of the 30 top luxury brands in the Vogue Business Index, only 7 of the creative director roles were held by women. That’s a measley 23.3%. And yet, when these roles are female led, the improvement for business is significant. For example, Dior sales have more than quadrupled since 2016, when Grazia Chuiri became the artistic director. How come the people who will actually wear the clothes aren’t allowed to design them?

2022 saw the release of reports about the abuse and maltreatment of factory workers in Myanmar, with the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre estimating 90% of these workers are women. This isn’t an issue in Myanmar alone, globally almost 60% of garment workers are women. Women are more likely to be in lower level positions than men often due to care and domestic responsibilities. In these roles, they are met with horrific working conditions, minimal pay, no access to social security and sometimes no maternity leave; basic human rights. The inherent misogyny and abuse runs all through the supply chain.

However, it’s encouraging to note that there has been progress since 2020, with the percentage of women holding board roles increasing to 38%. As well as this, in the past year, several women were appointed as CEOs, including Paula Nickolds at The White Company, Julia Goddard at Harvey Nichols, Laura Brown at Aspinal of London, Catherine Nunn at Lakeland, Fran Millar at Rapha Racing, and Sonia Lopez Delgado at Pandora UK. While there’s still work to be done, this growth is a positive step forward, showing that efforts toward greater gender diversity and inclusion are starting to make an impact.

References: https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/fashion/what-would-fashion-look-like-if-women-were-in-charge Drapers – Harrods to pay £300,00 Drapers – Primark CEO quits Racism, gender imbalance and inclusive stores: key Drapers investigations from 2024 Drapers – Why fashion is still failing its female supply chain workforce Drapers investigates: driving female leadership in fashion

The other week, my friends and I finally caved—we started watching Sex and the City. As a group of 20-year-old women, we were instantly hooked. We’d seen the clips, the edits, the iconic pieces, and after much deliberation (and a NowTV subscription fee), we pressed play. Hours later, after absorbing Carrie Bradshaw’s musings on love, life, and Manolos, I woke up feeling inspired. If she can write about her world, why can’t I?

So, welcome to Wardrobe Diaries, my space to talk about all things fashion. Growing up, I dreamed of becoming a designer, but as I got older, I realized something I might love even more than making clothes—talking about them. Now, my days revolve around profit margins, trend forecasting, and keeping up with everything happening in the industry. And here, I get to share it all with you.

I decided to start off my blog and writing career detailing some of my current favourite pieces both in my wardrobe (my go-to’s), and my ever growing wish list. An all time favourite ever since they entered my closet 3 years ago are my cowboy boots, if you know me, you know my boots. These are a staple, and my pair were painstakingly chosen after hours of Ebay searches, now worn in to perfection, completed with the right sole missing from years of wear.

One of the main items on my wish list are Frye boots, in particular these tan pull on boots. And currently, I am simultaneously dreaming of stomping around donning these, and desperately searching for a dupe. Through my endless daydreaming of the campus boot, I believe I may have found a -slightly- more affordable option: the Schuh Damari Pull on, in Tan. These are priced at £95, which is significantly cheaper than the Frye Company, but still steep on a student budget. This is closely followed by Salomons, an easy, comfy everyday piece that elevates any outfit. This brand is very popular at the moment, with Haley Helms publishing a piece on the Best Salomon Shoes of 2025 (Women’s health), saying their favourite is the Salomon XT-6 Trail Running Shoes style, which have gained popularity for their unique blend of functionality and making them a versatile addition to any wardrobe.

I pair these with my current denim rotation, which prominently features the ASOS Collusion baggy pleated jeans, known for their relaxed fit and contemporary cut. Alongside these, my Arodazi Denim Oshi Capris have become a staple in my wardrobe, an item that has barely left my body since purchase due to their versatility and exceptional comfort. Finally, my trusty Weekday Astro jeans round out this favorite trio, providing a reliable option for almost any occasion. As with most people, a perfect blend of comfort and style is not just desired but necessary in everyday life, and these three pieces have proven to be some of the most comfortable denim items I’ve worn, effortlessly elevating both casual and dressed-up looks while allowing me to move freely throughout my day.

One of my favourite recent purchases is this sheer knit top I got off Vinted. This was a £1.50 buy, with second hand shopping proving time and time again you don’t need to be dishing out a lot of money to dress well.