Can you help me put together a fab new work wardrobe?

[TheOriginalXENA]

I haven't got the job yet but I have an interview next week (whoopee!).
I need to look v.smart/ sharp (lol) but I have to beable to move in the shoes/ boots.. What do I need?

[MrsBadger]

what is job?
blue chip law firm needs diff clothes to (eg) creative ad agency
suit or will non-matching bottoms and jacket do?

[TheOriginalXENA]

didn't realise someone had answered so soon.
5 star hotel. Non matching bottoms and jackets will be fine for daywear.

[MrsBadger]

will be back after bathtime...

[MrsBadger]

I'm going to shamelessly crib this from a previous thread where Gothicmama wanted a capsule work wardrobe for £50 - I think it all still applies (I'm so lazy)...

one pair footwear (boots/shoes as you like but keep them polished and looked after)
one smart jacket (not part of suit)
two smart trousers
scarf/wrap thing
four or five tops (sleeve length will depend on aircon, heating etc - you can always leave jacket and/or they're a bit of a minefield in the winter unless scarf on if it's icy)

I don't wear black (and am evangelical about getting others to stop, it's so unimaginative), so if this was me picking from clothes I've actually got I'd do:

tan low-heeled boots
cream linen/cotton jacket
one pair chocolate brown trous
one pair tan trous
cotton tops with flattering necklines in
brown s/s
brown l/s
terracotta 3/4 s
olive green 3/4 s
one cream blouse in case need to be v formal
orange patterned scarf

but there's nothing to stop you getting black shoes/trous/jacket/scarf and coloured tops, or whatever colour combo you like.

Don't forget nice bag you can keep all your stuff in - armfuls of papers dropping everywhere never a good look. And if it matches your shoes so much the better .
...

For a five star hotel I'd err more on the side of blouses than cotton tops and would make more of an effort to be 'groomed' wrt hair and makeup.
I deliberately haven't mentioned skirts as I find trousers more useful - and skirts often demand a second pair of shoes which can take a sizeable chunk out of the budget, but if you have a suitable pair already a skirt gives a whole different look for little outlay.

[TheOriginalXENA]

I'm practising walking in my heeled smart shoes. I forgot about them, I never wear them because they have quite slippery soles. I'm wondering if I could scratch the bottom or something?

[TheOriginalXENA]

ooh thanks MrsBadger.
We were in London last weekend and I had a good haircut. Non mother friend of mine, joked that it had stopped me looking mummsy!

Although not unlimited I can afford to buy some decent tops. I always found that Next smart tops washed badly, there is a Wallis nearby how do their clothes fair?

[MrsBadger]

yep - wire brush or pan scourer

[TheOriginalXENA]

Another Q. The boots, I would like a pair of leather camel coloured boots. But I have already bought two pairs that have been useless- 1 that are swede so mark easily and 1 that look too clompy sp?

[MrsBadger]

camel dodgy colour for smart boots imo
too light
better choc or mid tan

what colour trous are they to go with, or are they long boots for skirts?

[TheOriginalXENA]

I have atm grey, black and choc. But the grey are old and I have only ordered the choc ones.

[Lola234]

sorry i have to disagree, i dont think you need all of that, your currently unempolye so cant really be investing in so many pieces. why not buy key pieces, thats wht i do and just assesorize differently.
www.my-wardrobe.com/Shawl-Collar-Coat-by-La-Petite-Salope?sc=18&category=220095

like that is a fantastic find and you can wear it whenever!

[MrsBadger]

'all of that?!'

OP asked for a work wardrobe, not just an interview outfit

I suggested:
one jacket
two trousers
four tops
one accessory

they are the key pieces IMO - how much less could you get away with?

(actually I am rofl at 'you are unemployed do not spend too much' then immediately recommending a £200+ coat which the OP wouldn't be able to wear whilst at work anyway)

[MrsBadger]

oh hang on - I remmebr this

Lola, you work for my-wardrobe.com, don't you?

just stop it, there's a love

[Lola234]

sorry wrong thing

one pair footwear (boots/shoes as you like but keep them polished and looked after)
one smart jacket (not part of suit)
two smart trousers
scarf/wrap thing
four or five tops (sleeve length will depend on aircon, heating etc - you can always leave jacket and/or they're a bit of a minefield in the winter unless scarf on if it's icy)

I don't wear black (and am evangelical about getting others to stop, it's so unimaginative), so if this was me picking from clothes I've actually got I'd do:

tan low-heeled boots
cream linen/cotton jacket
one pair chocolate brown trous
one pair tan trous
cotton tops with flattering necklines in
brown s/s
brown l/s
terracotta 3/4 s
olive green 3/4 s
one cream blouse in case need to be v formal
orange patterned scarf

thats the list i was talking about!!
Also no im just obsessed with the bargain sales, its so good!!

[JackieNo]

The top bit is MrsB's recommendations in general, and the second bit is her interpretation of it for her, with the clothes she already owns - that's why it looks long - it's actually 2 separate lists.

[TheOriginalXENA]

Thanks MrsB! Lola I asked for a work wardrobe. I'm not unemployed and didn't ask it to meet a budgeted amt

[TheOriginalXENA]

lololol! Lola I could get most on MrsB's list for the price of your coat!

[Lola234]

ok fair enough, what i was saying is it would make more sense to invest in key staples like the good quality coat. rather than buy loads of items.
MrsB- no need to be so rude, i was only giving my opinion!

[MrsBadger]

sorry I thought you were spamming for mywardrobe, but given your posting history (and the number of deleted messages) you can see why I might have thought it

I am still intrigued as to what 'key staples' you would recommend Xena buys (general advice not specific links)

one new coat is not 'a fab new work wardrobe' whichever way you cut it!

[Lola234]

i know, when i wrote my opinion on nobu berkerly being really bad it got deleted!
im new to mumsnet, so was really baffled but i understand now you have to be careful with wording.

well, i would stay one good winter coat,
a plain white work shirt, dark grey/black pants in wool and a statement bag.
i dont think these are the sort of things you can buy on the cheap, therefore thats why i recommended good quality pieces.

[MrsBadger]

well, MN has had the odd legal wrangle [hem hem] so they are understandably cautious re defamation / libel, and we have regular problems with people coming on here touting their own sites / services under the guise of satisfied customers.

[Lola234]

seriously?! thats ridiculous, my friend recommended mumsnet for advice, whicb is why i've started using it. never knew people did tht, why would you bother if its a website for parents? that is silly, its not like this is a fashion community.

[MrsBadger]

well not solely for fashion stuff, obviously! Mostly for maternity wear, baby kit, other parenting websites etc

[MrsBadger]

(and rofl at the thought that a website full of mums obviously having no fashion clout - I swear the Boden researchers use us as unwitting focus group)