Outfit needed for important meeting

[BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte]

I need an outfit for a very difficult, awkward, complex meeting. An outfit which is both casual and informal, yet conveys confidence, asssertiveness and an absolute refusal to be messed with. And which has long sleeves, as I slipped in the bathroom today and have a ripe bruise...

Do I go for
a) tailored trousers (have brown or black)
b) wrap dress (fairly sober pattern but a tad low-cut)
c) long sensible skirt (brown)

And if a or c, what do I wear on top? A crispy-ironed blouse? A tunic?

And if I wear something short-sleeved, can I put a long t-shirt underneath or will it need a cardigan on top?

I'd go for A or C, and definitely wear a jacket.

Probably A, with a shirt or tunic. If there is no need to be formal, then a long sleeved T...however if you think you feel more 'together' with jacket or cardie then def wear that. No dangly accessories or bangles that bang on desks!

Why does it have to be informal? I think it's OK to be formal any time at work, surely? So I think A with ironed blouse and jacket. Also lipstick.

Dress, definitely- but perhaps not a wrap as too low. how about something like this or this?

Dare I ask what the meeting is for?

Great, please keep the opinions coming!

I think I'll have either to wait until after the meeting or else to namechange before I provide any details. But I'm wanting to look casual-ish as I'm hoping to generate a calm, personable, informal atmosphere....

Wrap dress, with a camisole under it, tights and knee high boots.

I don't think brown is an assertive colour. Or black. They both say safe, conventional, won't want to rock the boat.

So what colour is assertive?

I can do shocking pink in a dress...

Green? Gold? Yellow? What suits you? I wouldn't do obviously girly colours (pink or purple). No grey or beige and wear navy with caution.

Hmmm, all seems to be black, brown or pale blue or pink...

Think you need to go shopping

I think navy is a good option: classic, conservative and business-like. Black is very authoritarian, and grey looks like you're trying to be a man. Green might work if you go for a subdued shade that says "moss" or "bottle" rather than "lime". Pastels would be too frivolous, beige too summery and red or other brights too Hillary Clinton.

Do you have a tweed jacket? Less formal in terms of texture, muted in colour, but still with the formality and grown-up-ness of a jacket?

Yes, probably need to go shopping!

But I may no longer have an income from which to shop

Navy, can probably do navy...

'Grey looks liek you're trying to be a man' - What rot! I like grey, it suits me and I wear it nearly every day - so ner!!!

like

Navy trousers

Crisp white shirt

Silver jewellry

High shoes

Lots of makeup and lipstick but not too tarty!

Perfect in my very humble opinion.

I have a cousin roughly the same size as me... I may ask to raid her wardrobe!

Anyone else?

Me again: to suggest you don't buy or borrow, because wearing an unfamiliar outfit you might not be as confident as you could be.

Was the pale blue thing you mentioned a shirt or a jacket?

Another stray thought: who are you meeting? Will it be people in formal business suits, or is another form of dress the norm? Who us the key decision maker you have to influence? Do any of these people have a female boss: can you dress in a way reminiscent of her?

Just men. But whether I could look like his (female) boss, hmmm

(The pale blue is a skirt. A tad floaty and insipid, perhaps...)

Could you wear the wrap dress with a bright coloured vest or camisole underneath for a splash of colour?

Otherwise tailored trousers with heels and a shirt would be my choice.

And wear great shoes whatever. That wayif you need a confidence boost you just need to look down! It always works for me.

I agree with Belligerent. The wrap dress (is it jersey?) with a vest top underneath sounds your best option. You can pitch it to the exact mood you want with your accessories, boots/shoes, jewellery etc.

That's on the understanding that you feel comforatable and confident wearing it?

Good luck.

oops, x-post watercress I agree completely!