To think that my professional office clothes from the mid - 2000's still look stylish?

[Rainbunny]

I've been out of the workforce for the last couple of years but I'm preparing to re-enter my career again (law) and I've been looking at updating my work wardrobe. The funny thing is, everytime I look online at clothing websites to get ideas for office outfits, I realise that I pretty much own something that looks very similar if not identical already!

I never throw clothes away (that's a whole other thread topic in itself!) so I have my professional office/suit attire from around 2006-ish onwards... Am I fooling myself here or does anyone else think that professional work attire hasn't changed that dramatically in the last decade? It's not as though I can't buy new work clothes but seriously everytime I see something I like I realise I have something just like it already - it's just been in my wardrobe for the last 5-7 years! I'm just worried I'm fooling myself and would look out of step when current looks seem so similar to me.

This is the ultimate in trivial threads btw!!

What sorts of things are they? Are there trouser suits, and if so what shape are the legs? Heels - what shape?

Totally depends on what they are.

Is this a humble brag....

not awfully humble

I don't think you're bragging OP. You might be better off posting in style and beauty though!

My work wardrobe has some very old pieces in it - particularly shoes! I don't think the classic stuff dates very fast. You can update with new tops etc?

No! NOT a humble brag! How did I come across like that? It's more that I worry that I think my clothes are still in style when they really aren't IYKWIM. My fear is more along the lines of being like my dear dad who thinks leather elbow patches on his jackets are (were they ever?) still the height of fashion... Or my DM who on special occasions still has to be talked down from applying blue eyeshadow!

I've attached a link to some pants (not in a colour I like btw way but the style is the point). I saw them today but I swear I have identical pants in my wardrobe that I bought in 2006!

www.jcrew.com/p/womens_category/suiting/super120s/preston-pant-in-super-120s-wool/C9004

Are you in the states? Because in the uk I'd say business dress is much more casual than 10 years ago.

I too would be worried about the shape of your trouser legs.

That link doesn't work by the way

I think you will be ok, your line of work is never going to be the height of fashion so classics can be worn forever, just updated with a shirt or sweater perhaps in this seasons colours.

The link does work

Thank you Tronald - I'm actually very anxious about getting back into the working world as it is, stupid things like clothing have developed an outsized significance.

I'm impressed that you're managing to get back into law after 10 years out OP!

I'm a lawyer and have stuff in my wardrobe that's been there for 7 or 8 years. I agree that office wear hasn't changed much.

Why don't you buy two new outfits to give you confidence & then see what it's like when you get there? I imagine you will be wearing fairly plain sober colours most of the time & you might be able to mix what you've got already in.

Oh. Those are a fairly generic staple type item, and I think as they're too innocuous to have ever been in fashion, they can't really go out of fashion, if you see what I mean. They aren't current or contemporary fashion-wise, but neither are they dated.

It doesnt come across as a brag at all.

Not sure where thats come from.

Those trousers are fine. Link does work for me.

As pp said, office wear is a bit more relaxed in the last few years. The only time i do really smart is for big meetings. Thats seems the unwritten rule at work.

You can tell that someone has a big meeting because they are extra smart.

No, I agree that office styles have not changed. Just get some nice new tops and stuff to go with the suits.

Those trousers look outdated sorry.

If you are talking about dresses, then these are more likely to be ok.

Oh it does work for me now. How odd. It took me to a "start shopping" page first time. Sorry OP

You can control clothes and not much else. I've been a lawyer since 2002 and I think things which weren't acceptable then are now. I remember a colleague used to be really casual in the office and it raised an eyebrow but she'd be totally fine now.

For court I have 3 shift dresses, two of which date from 2010. I don't think Court clothes have changed at all. A suit is a suit.

For meetings I wear whatever I feel like. Red leather pencil skirt, acid green midi skirt, skinny jeans etc. Rarely a jacket.

The trousers are ok - they look a little boot cutty to me, so I wouldn't wear them personally, but they are probably coming back in, so...
I'd try Style and Beauty, but yes I agree with PP that things haven't changed seismically in the last 7 years x

The only time I go to work smart is when I have to bunk off for interviews somewhere else :)

Agree there is now less formalilty. 10 years ago I would have been in a suit every day.

I don't miss the dry cleaning..

I think a wide trouser leg is the thing at the moment OP. Those trousers do look dated.

Thanks for replies, and no I should clarify I haven't been out of the workforce for a decade! It's actually been around 3 years. I worked in a very professional legal environment until 2010 and then moved into a position with a very casual dress environment (jeans basically) until 2014 where I became a sahm. I'm now preparing to re-enter the (stodgy) professional side of things again. I appreciate the responses though!

I've got some pretty old pieces. The things I would say have changed over the last 10 years ( I'm in banking so similar environment)

• general trend towards less formal dress codes
• more wrap/ jersey dresses
• fewer women in heels and therefore fewer people in wide legged trousers
• jackets far less structured

I too would be worried about the shape of your trouser legs

Arf. Seriously?