back in the office (for now)

How I'm dressing for work this summer. Plus: behind the scenes at Kiosk + Platform TEST SPACE

January 23, 2022

Welcome to clipboard, a weekly newsletter about clothes, hospo and Tāmaki Makaurau, by Reilly Hodson. This week, I’m talking about dressing for the office while the weather is so hot, and Dan Johnson of Kiosk chats about his new pop up with Platform.

it’s getting hot in here

This Monday was my first day back in the office at my real job since August 17 2021, so the vibes were pretty weird. As weird as anything was getting dressed to go back to work, after a long absence and in the midst of an unbelievably hot summer.

Usually, my office is firmly business casual: collared shirts and jeans, leather shoes, but this first week back, some of it got thrown out by my colleagues. Some showed up in shorts and a t-shirt, graphic tees that were gifts from clients were a frequent site.

Not me. I love getting dressed up to go to work, and after 6-odd months of shorts below the Teams frame and hats to hide my bad hair, I was keen to step up. Here’s an update on my business casual uniform as we kick into 2022, subject to change if we’re suddenly sent back home to do our emails, which is looking increasingly likely at time of writing…

shirting

The centre of a successful men’s business uniform is great shirting. The key thing is fit: most classic menswear brands in New Zealand (think your Three Wise Men, Barkers etc) fit their shirts way too slim, which look silly if you’re not wearing a suit. Look for something a bit roomier through the body, and a hem-line that can be worn untucked or tucked in, as needed.

My favourite shirts come from local favourite Thom Morison: I own and love this cream long sleeved number (pictured above), as well as an excellent striped piece from last year that isn’t available anymore, and I’m seriously eyeing up these new short sleeved ones. Short sleeves are a must when the weather is like this, although you can get away with a long-sleeved shirt if the sleeves roll easily. I’m a particular fan of Checks Downtown’s reentry to office-appropriate wear, with these Oxford shirts in a classic light blue, and an orange stripe. More good shirts, please!

trousers

Pants are always tricky. Again, as with shirts, too many brands fit them too skinny, which becomes uncomfortable and sweaty. The best pants, in my opinion, fit looser and straighter, with a soft fabric and plenty of room for movement. I’m on the record as loving Dickies for this purpose, get them hemmed and they’re the best value for money pants you can find. I’m also a fan of a loose style like fatigues, but to be honest I’m a pay-grade increase away from going to a tailor and just getting some made in my desired fit because they’re so hard to find and I can’t get to Sid Mashburn. As an aside, I’m on the lookout for a straight-leg pair of ecru pants, send me links!

shoes

I made a very bold decision on Monday, to walk to and from work in my Doc Marten 1461s that haven’t been worn since last August. A few unbelievably sized blisters later and I resorted to the comfiest sort of work appropriate shoes I own, a classic white Reebok Club C. Once my feet have healed, I’ll be breaking out the loafers and fancy shoes again, but I wish that I had a pair of German Army Trainers (GATs) for a time like this.

Anyway, that’s how I’ve been getting by so far. I’m keen to do some more in-depth fashion stuff on this newsletter this year, so I’ll be periodically updating on new pieces in my wardrobe, things I have on my to-cop list, etc. Let me know if there’s anything you’d like to hear about (looking for a specific item? have an event and want an outfit? let me know!).

clips

kiosk + platform TEST SPACE

By Dan Johnson, Proprietor of Kiosk 

Yesterday I opened the doors to TEST SPACE, a temporary retail experience based on Ponsonby Road. Working alongside our friends at Platform, the aim is to explore how furniture, lighting & objects transform the purpose, feel and use of a space. 

The space will change periodically based on different themes of everyday living: Work, Play and Rest. The objects and their arrangement will inform these themes, providing a fresh look and new product offering with every cycle of change.

Kiosk started as a passion project, sparked by the first lockdown we had here in Auckland. Having recently completed my Architecture studies at the time, the thought of what comes next was an exciting yet scary prospect, as I’m sure it is for many. My architecture studies were a great awakening to quality furniture design, as many of the pieces that are most well known are often designed by architects for use in their own buildings, and this crossover is something that has always intrigued me.

While I loved the idea of designing homes and larger buildings, I’ve always been in two minds about the accessibility of architectural design to the large majority of people. Having complete control of a space is ideal, but for me furniture provides that perfect middle ground in which a space can feel completely transformed without the need to physically adjust an existing layout. This accessibility, versatility and ability to give new life to existing spaces is really the driving force behind Kiosk. 

There is always a lot of talk about fast fashion, but these ideas apply in a fairly similar way to how many people treat furniture too. A full K-mart setup may be affordable and look nice for a month or two, but with time things break, wear down, or go out of style. My focus is offering pieces that are timeless in style, super versatile and built to last a lifetime.

Taking the time to slowly build a collection of great pieces that can travel with you and adjust to a variety of different spaces is ultimately a much more sustainable way to live. Taking this idea to the next level, when it comes to vintage furniture, the knowledge that it has already had a long life that you can now extend even further is gratifying in itself. While the upfront cost may be a little more, you’ll buy ten cheap chairs over the lifetime of one that has been around for years already, and will be for many more. Think about the cost-per-sit. 

Having operated Kiosk online for the past year, the chance to bring the experience into a physical space is really exciting. The tangible quality of vintage furniture is always so special in person, so the ability to sit, touch and see all the inventory in context is perfect to get a proper feel for how things can work in your own space. 

TEST SPACE will be open Tuesday - Sunday until February 18th, so come by and have a chat, try out some pieces and pick my brain with all your vintage furniture questions! 

Shop 7, 236-304 Ponsonby Road 

That’s all for clipboard this week, thanks for reading! I’ll be back next Sunday with more goodness. In the meantime, follow clipboard on Instagram and get in touch via DM or email. See you next week!