Best tops with black suit

[herecomesthsun]

Have lost over 1 1/2 stone. Am going back from maternity leave shortly and have acquired black Gerard Darel jacket, skirt, trousers x 2. I am wondering how best to style them. Am 48, 5 ft 9, size 14 hourglass, dark Winter. I used to love black, including black head to toe, but would now like a pop of jewel colour near my face.

I got 4 work dresses in the sales, but want suit for smarter meetings. I read on here that black trews and bright top is too eighties, do you still think so? Please help style me!

PS links to suitable tops very much appreciated. oh, and I am very long in the body, am rather lazy about ironing and have 2 kids under 5, so machine washable is really good...

Would recommend looking at Kettlewell Colours. Am on phone so can't link but they do lots of different styles in lots of colours. Google it and you will find. Good quality.

I also buy tops sometimes from Artigiano - horrible old lady clothes generally but they do do lovely great quality tops - cowl neck, scoop neck, etc.

Finally there is the good old Hobbs 'Sophie' top, a classic.

All of these will dry nicely on a hanger with no need for ironing .

Oh thanks!! We used to have an Artigiano outlet near here and I got a very nice cashmere/ wool coat about 4 years ago! I just looked at the Artigiano site but don't feel very inspired. I think I want something with a lot of black in it, but some bright colour too near my face, also, machine washable, non iron, etc! (but not too polyester).

I have a sizeable bust and a smaller waist so need some sort of shaping, and prob either a cowl neck, V neck, wrap or square neck.

I do have a silk crinkle Boden blouse (very cheap in the sale several years ago) that sort of meets some of those criteria, also some little short sleeve Boden blouses that might do.

either a wraptop or a v neck to detract from the bust. I would be looking at patterns this season, bold prints and florals with little ditsy prints colour is good but can be added with a draped scarf or bold accessories. a crinkle type of soft fabric is good to aviod the ironing / creasing issue.