Revamping work wardrobe

[Hobbes8]

I'm (hopefully) about to return to work after maternity leave. I'm self employed so I need to drum up some work. I typically work in clients' offices so I need to be quite smart.

In my last role I didn't need to bother with suit jackets, so I typically wore smart trousers with brightly coloured shirts and tank tops over the top. I still have lots of these and they're quite good quality - Austin Reed and Phase Eight mostly. Do you think I could get away with wearing contrasting jackets with the trousers? Or do I need to start again and get matching suits?

I also have a really nice grey shift dress in quite a heavy material, but again no matching jacket. What do you think would go with this?

Frustratingly I'm about half a stone too heavy for these clothes anyway, although I'm hoping to shift that before I go back, and I'm reluctant to buy clothes in a bigger size.

I don't think you need to have matching suits. It can be handy to have one good quality suit though, as it is handy to have as a wardrobe staple for big pitches or interviews. You can get more wear out of it by wearing as separates.

For a grey shift dress, it depends on how adventurous you want to be. Black or navy could work as a 'safe' choice. Or you could try something brighter (keep everything else neutral and low key) - in a shade that suits you. Grey works with most things. Purple? Green?