What should a 40 yr old Doctor wear

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AIBU to ask you enlightened ladies for advice? I have been wearing the same old boring stuff to work for ages. I turned 40 recently and know I need some new clothes. I am a part-time GP so need to look smart but also must be comfortable and practical. Budget is not as big as you might think due to being part-time, nursery fees and recent house move but I realise I need to spend a bit. I am a size 8-10 and generally petite. When you imagine going in to see a smart professional lady doc, what is she wearing?

I worked in a similar role and wore skirts at knee length or dresses, usually teamed with boots and a cardigan. It was simple and worked. Or cigarette trousers with a low heeled shoe and a semi smart top.

Don't forget Primark for some remarkable bargains. Three quarter length sleeve T-shirts, the odd cashmere cardigan and I've a lot of smart dresses which have all worn well.

Don't do what my lovely GP does and team up with high stripper heels. I can't help staring at them and thinking it's just a bit odd. My bad, I know.

Dresses are the easiest all round option as you don't have to think about any matching or putting outfits together. Just either wear a slip or buy lined. That's the law.

I have no idea what my GP wears nor do I care what they wear, I don't pay attention when I go because I'm usually feeling crap and am looking for their help and advice, all I'm bothered about is them doing their job well.

No armpits or cleavage on show.
Bare below the elbows and no dangly scarves. (Infection control)
Flattish shoes (running in an emergency)
Nothing short or too tight (getting on the floor in an emergency)
Clean and ironed.
Smart casual

Quite frankly, if you're a doctor and you're not wearing a tweed jacket, braces, a bow tie and a fez, what even is the actual point of medical school?

Imo you can get away with a lot if you wear lipstick and a nice blouse or dress.

But if sporty is more your style, skinny black jeans with a modern jacket or a nice top is fine too.

Meh, you could wear a fluorescent pink spandex jumpsuit for all I care. Heck, I wouldn't even care if you were stark, bollock naked, as long as you can do your job well.

Short of stark bollock naked, I really wouldn't care. My GP is always very smartly dressed though. Looks very professional and competent.

Or if you do decide to go stark bollock naked, at least put a towel on the chair.

I don't much care as long as it's clean and doesn't show too much thigh and cleavage. You could always follow the fictional Dr Carmichael in Doctors I suppose although I don't think her choice of suits with tight fitting skirts and very high heels is terribly practical . That said, her work load and those of partners doesn't seem to mirror that of the GPS I know!

I take you are not a man - if you are I hate dickie bows with a vengeance. When I worked I thought those that wore them were pretentious prats. On reflection though they were probably right from an infection point of view and marginally better than a tie tucked into a short sleeved shirt. In my view polo shirts for men are the way to go with a pair of clean trousers.

In my younger days I would have argued really strongly that it didn't matter what you wore so long as you were good at your job, but increasing age has changed my perspective a bit and I do think you do need to be clean and smart and as look as though you practice what you preach about weight etc.

Shift dresses are always handy for work. They instantly look smart and involve minimal matching up in the morning.