Replacing dull and frumpy work clothes with a stylish and flattering capsule working wardrobe.......

[fatcatrattrap]

I am about to start a new job and have decided I need a new stylish capsule working wardrobe and would be so grateful if anyone has any suggestions of shops or clothes or ideas. The criteria are:

1. I work in a professional environment so I must be smart at all times. I don't have to wear a suit every day, but I do have to be wearing something that I can throw a suit jacket on with and look the part should I get called into a board meeting at short notice. So I am looking for things that are trendy and flattering but very smart at the same time. I feel like my current working wardrobe is frumpy and dull and I want something refreshing and fun yet smart and professional.

1. I am in my early 30s and a fairly tall size 8.

1. I am on a tight(ish) budget, so please don't suggest anything designer or too £££. I am looking at high street prices not designer.

1. I love vintage looks, Mad Men, 1950s etc if that helps.

Really looking for something formal and professional with a twist. Can anyone help?!

Hi there, I've currently got two smart fitted shirt dresses from h&m (still in the shops) which are great, they seem to do a few each season, also Zara.

Over the years I've bought a lot from ebay from the following brands, Episode, Laura Ashley, Joseph, Hobbs, Cos and Whistles. I usually go for shift style; fitted but not tight. Its never expensive and if the dress does not fit or i don't like it in RL, i re-ebay it.

I wear a lot of dresses to work - most pattered ones you can through a black blazer over. Also, next do some great ones, skinny belts on them and A-line, I tend to get a lot from there for work - I tend to wear with a nice little cardie, but do sometimes buy the matching jackets for when I have to be suited up. Nice with shirts under too.

Like these?

www.next.co.uk/x5174s2#763633x51
www.next.co.uk/g642s11#770275g64

I sometimes swap the belts for coloured ones and matching shoes etc. They are normally machine wash and don't need ironed either!

Dresses are definitely the way to go!

Dresses in a style that suits you - shift, or nice wrap dresses (not horrible soft ones that look scruffy) or LKBennett-esque ones, and jackets that can be thrown over the top. Can make slightly more interesting with a few different accessories/shoes

Pencil skirts and nice tops, again easy to throw a jacket over the top. I like Hobbs for skirts, but do find their sizing v generous.

Worth hunting on ebay or going to somewhere like Bicester if there are brands that you know work for you.

Dp and I are currently watching House of Cards (only available on netflix but you can get a free 30 day trial!) and Robin Wright's character's wardrobe is making me wish I worked in a swish office! Great inspiration!

If you love Mad Men looks, Tara Jarmon has some very 60s inspired looks this season, including two really fab skirt suits and some nice dresses. There are some shops in London.

I'd advise going to a department store - I like House of Fraser - and buying everything at the same time. I found it the best way to save time and money - get everything at the same time and know it all matches. If you go during the week you should be able to find an assistant who can spend a couple of hours with you running backwards and forwards to the changing room picking up stuff for you to try on.
If you go to somewhere like h of f look at ted baker, pied a terre, kenneth cole, jaeger, whistles. I have found better to buy a few good items and then cheaper tops to ring the changes. LK Bennett v expensive these days in my view.

A personal shopper might be the way to go, somewhere like Debenhams that has clothes in your price range IYSWIM? They are normally good with work clothes and stuff that co-ordinates well.

Poppy I am also coveting Robin Wright's look in House of Cards. The dresses, bags, shoes etc - all amazing and so sharp!

OP - I am a huge fan of Cos for work clothes and with your height and dress size you should find that a lot of their clothes work for you. They do some great silk dresses in patterns which aren't too scary for the office and look great with a jacket over them. Also great trousers and tops. I also think that Whistles are great, quite pricey but they seem to almost always have a sale section on their website. Zara is always great for some smart looking tops and blazers at good prices. Topshop is surprisingly good for some really lovely chunky necklaces and bracelets/arm cuffs which dress up plain stuff and look a lot more expensive than they are. The Outnet is worth looking at too, I've got a couple of T by Alexander Wang dresses from there which were only £50 each and even though they're a jersey material fit so well that they are smart enough for work.