I need SERIOUS help - I have to dress for a week's work with a famous Paris fashion house!

[merryhell]

Normally I don't need to dress up particularly for work. Most of my wardrobe is smart casual. I don't possess a suit.

But next month I am spending a week working with the stylish folk at an uber prestigious fashion house in Paris and am in a big tizz about what to wear. There will be a cocktail party and a dinner to attend as well as the daytime work for 5 consecutive days... am trembling at the fashion dilemma!

Where to start?

Are you anywhere near London? If so get yourself to Mary Portas in House of Fraser, you sound like you're her sort of shape and I love her style.
If not I second black with fabulous accessories, big statement piece jewellery, especially necklaces. Think interesting-shaped tunic dresses, chunky opaques, cigarette trousers, maybe the Mary portas wedge boots from Clarks...
I wouldnt do suits tbh.
If you're still stuck buy Grazia for inspiration!
Good luck

Just to throw in a curveball, I think you should go for 1920s understated chic. But then, maybe I should just sort out my girlcrush on Evie from The House of Eliott

Balls

I meant

belleEnd drop waists are very ahead of the trend for next season doncha know

I work for London HQ of Parisian fashion firm - all the French girls (but not me sadly) always look amazing by way of very, very simple outfits (mainly black).

What always makes them look even better though are small touches like their manicure and hair. Definitely get a manicure.

ATM they're all wearing straight leg (almost but not quite skinny) trousers in lux fabrics or those trousers that stop at the ankle, iyswim. Finish with gorgeous blouse. You would not go wrong with a lovely silky dress and blazer.

Make sure your shoes are impeccably polished - regardless of what brand they are, they'll look miles better. Heels would be good if you can put up with them (though I always wear the same pair of aubergine satin flats and always get compliments on them so its not a must).

I second the vote for Cos, always looks miles more expensive than it is. What about Hoss Intropia, Comptoir des Cotonniers?

Less is more for evening wear. They will all look effortlessly chic rather than 'overdone'. Could you have your hair blown dry while you're out there - that would improve confidence for an evening do no end! Also, have a look at the outnet for a bargain cocktail type dress. You never know when there'll be a bargain on there - I've got many things for less than £100.

Hope that helps and sorry to go on a bit. I have this dilemma every morning!

crazybutterflylady Yes, yes, I know

omg handbags and manicure and blowdry! but noted...

Have emailed net à porter. My Wardrobe worth a shot too?

Ok so I need:

• smart trousers - mine a bit tired now. 7/8 length ok?
• a versatile black skirt (have some decent tops)
• a day dress - that Zara one, or this one?

what else? What for the evening dos? Have one black cocktail dress, but what about the other 2 nights?

Junior - thank you, v helpful (not envious of your daily fashion dilemma!)

Was just browsing Comptoir - some good tops I think. Their trousers don't fit me.

Have v fitted black blazer that I love, so will look for nice silky frock to wear with that. Outnet lovely! A bit ££

Do you know the times of the evening events? Will you be going straight from work?

I think one good leather day bag and one evening bag should be sufficient.

My Wardrobe tends to be a bit less expensive than Net A porter but still pretty fashion forward

Cocktail parties are early ish - 6pm so now you mention it yes (doh!), straight from work so will need 2 x day to evening outfits

Dinner is 8.30 or thereabouts.

I spent 7 yrs working for French fashion house. Would recommend smart speerates but focus on killer shoes and bag (beg, borrow or steal). Black is good.

I'd second Cos and Zara (I was in Zara yesterday and lots of wearable on trend pieces). Best bit of advice is to act confidently!

Sshhh. Buy some large necklaces/collars to wear in the evening Look after them and when you return, take them back.

Gap for black trousers. Especially their cropped trousers.

Maybe try oasis as well, they have some nice dresses on their website.

Cos! Second and third that. If you haven't one near you they have JUST got an online store. Their website is a bit tricky, but go to the STORE section, I think that's it, on the left of the page. I have used their stylist and she is lovely and brill, I am sure she can talk you through things on the phone.

There is a blog called something like wearing it today by a fashion ed at Red magazine. She is slim too so her style would work on you? If you go to her blog you can see pictures of her daly outfits . She doesn't have many clothes, and only a few expensive ones, but puts them together well.

There is a website you can go go go hire designer dress es, but not much use as i can't remember it's name, google ?

Good luck, have fun, and remember tis only fashion :)

I too work on the end of fashion where all the girls in the other offices look fab and like models. I am on the edges, wearing Breton stripes :)

I have ordered the Cos trousers and shirt in look 2 on this page

and am off into town to browse Zara for dress/skirt/lovely blouses now.

Bag(s) are an issue. I don't have any and probably wouldn't know one if I saw one. What constitutes a killer bag?

Also v much liking advice from those that have worked in this mysterious world. I admire and salute you!

I've just bought this which is an absolute bargain and v Vivienne Westwood-esque. Would be good with cigarette trousers, a blazer and killer heels.

Wow Merry - am excited for you and just a little bit scared!! Check out WIT - she is a stylist who blogs very day. Some of her looks may bit a bit casual for you but if you trawl through last years Autumn looks you should find some inspiration.

For bags at the moment its all about carrying them rather than putting them over your shoulder IYSWIM. Will you need to be practical and actually carry stuff or will it just me make-up purse, phone etc? Zara has some great bags or I would be tempted to go for an oversized clutch.

Pick on colour to be your anchor (bag, shoes or jacket) and make that the starting point for everything. Good luck!!

I love all of these!!

Grooming, grooming and more grooming. Definitely a blow dry and manicure.

And threaded eyebrows.

You lucky thing

I agree with Cos and Zara, also Massimo Dutti, lovely things that look v expensive in RL. They sell online now. Also Topshop, fashion insiders adore TS, Emmanuelle Alt (editor of French Vogue) will only buy her jeans there apparently.

Stick with black, navy and charcoal. Fashion industry people love the combination of black and navy, but it must look like you did it on purpose! Accent colours for tops and accessories.

These shoes are highly recommened in the W&A thread, look expensive and are v comfortable. These boots are the business I have them and wear them with skinny trousers or short skirt and opaques. They are a copy of Celine who did boots with gold heels last winter.

Could you borrow a bag or 2 from a friend. Ideally you'd need a work bag, Mulberry Bayswater size and a clutch for your evening do's.

So, cigarette trousers, pencil skirt, 2 silk t-shirt tops,2 pretty silk blouses, 1-2 dresses, 1 blazer. Also don't forget a coat, maybe a trench.

Accessories - a couple of 'statement' necklaces (try Accessorize or Topshop), a couple of scarves (Zara & Dutti good for these)

Will be back with more, but only if you promise to spill the beans when you come back!

In that Cos link, is it me or does that model have freakishly long arms?

Enjoy your shopping trip OP.