How do I look professional yet feminine?

[Newname14]

I've been given a new job in managment but don't have a clue what to wear

Mainly male environment all in suits

Any ideas how a 28 year old size 10 should dress to look professional yet feminine genuinely have no idea !

Plenty!!

And congratulations!!

I love smart work dresses with a coordinating soft textured jacket (think 'boucle') or short fitted cardie. Or slim 7/8 length trousers with kitten heels and similar jacket or cardie over a pretty (but understated!) blouse. Or a pencil skirt with the same.

If you prefer wider cut trousers, they can look great too, and very smart, with a fitted top.

You can still wear feminine jewellery - just not too bling for work. And silk or viscose (ie silky looking and machine washable) tops look feminine but professional. And no cleavage (even peaking ) or florals.

most people will work out that you are female.

The obvious stuff really. Clean and tidy, not smelling of anything, (reek of perfume is awful in a stuffy office) nails clean and NOT long, makeup if you normally wear it, none if you don't. Practical shoes (i.e. not silly heels) and no cleavage - doesn't mean cover to throat but I think cleavage in an office isn't a pretty sight.

suit - skirt or trousers as you choose. Clothes you don't have to fiddle with or worry about.

great minds think alike..

Yes - heels of whatever height you're comfortable with but clean and smart. Bit of light make up, bit of jewellery. No cleavage or midriff on display. No ditzy florals. Nothing so short I can see your knickers when you sit down (hard stare
at most junior team member). No manky knitwear with holes or ratty jersey that's been washed too many times.

Otherwise, knock yourself out - dress plus cardigan, skirt and blouse, jeans, even, with a pretty t-shirt.

Thank you all should have said previously been working npinverness a all female very casual environment

What kind of brands should I look at? And another thing I hate heels they make my back hurt are flats a complete no ?

Informal not npinverness stupid iPad!

I work in a totally male dominated environment. I'm 28 and a size 12...Warehouse is your new best friend. As is Oasis.

Check out these beauties:

Dresses

You're welcome! Flats are fine. Try pointy toes ballerinas maybe? You have to feel comfortable! Brogues are cool too if you feel nice in them. (Try looking at Office or Zara for pointy ballerinas.) At 29 and a size 10, you can probably wear most things - lucky you!

Brands - depends on budget but try Zara, Mango even (strangely good stuff if you are picky), Gap for nicely cut trousers (well, I think so ). If you have a bit more cash, try the personal shopping people at John Lewis. Actually, they have mango too so they have quite a broad range of prices. Heard good things about them (mostly on here) and they will suggest stuff you haven't thought of. Maybe start with one or two dresses, one or two pairs of trousers and one skirt plus various tops/cardies etc. And a couple of nice pairs of shoes.

If you have a bit more cash, I really like Whistles (although lots of people think it's like an over-priced Topshop...). You can also try Banana Republic (especially in the sale - nice dresses for slim figures). Or Reiss....

Enjoy shopping and well done again!

28, sorry!! (Bet you'll look lovely whatever you choose.)

dresses are good I think I wear them 40s but my younger collegues do too

If all your colleagues are wearing suits, I would wear a suit too. Dress suits and skirt suits always look nice if they are well fitting. Avoid too much black, grey or monochrome, I think it's overdone and dull.

You can wear lots of colour and still look professional. Make sure jewellery isn't too jangly.

I like LK Bennett, Hobbs, Austin Reed that I buy on eBay but I am much older than you. A department store personal shopper is a good start.

Congratulations on the job.

Sorry but I would avoid suits at all costs. Unless you can go out and spend a small fortune on beautifully cut pieces, high street suits look cheap and nasty on women. They are hideously ageing and unflattering.

A well-fitting dress and jacket looks great on everyone.

I agree - high street suits are usually awful and so dated. Navy is a great colour for the office. And I'm of the opinion that heels do look slightly smarter in a corporate environment than flats. Cigarette trousers are a staple of mine. M & S Autograph can have some nice pieces but you have to be a bit discerning!

If you have the money Hoss Intropia clothes are gorgeous and smart (on sale ATM but still expensive)

"And I'm of the opinion that heels do look slightly smarter in a corporate environment than flats."

I can't agree with you there. I struggle to walk in high heels. You can get some really stylish ballet flats these days.

I agree with Foxy I'm afraid. I don't always wear heels but on those days I wear flats I do feel a lot more casual. You will need to work out what's appropriate for your environment. Even kitten heels are better but that's just my opinion. And I am VERY short so that may influence my thinking. If you are particularly tall then I think some more formal flats may work.

this kind of thing with fitted trousers

I work in a v formal mostly male office, and my work wardrobe is Hobbs dresses, cardigans and flat boots or shoes (smart loafers or brogues). However I keep a smart black jacket at work and a couple of smart pair of heels just in case.

blog about flat shoes for inspiration Smart knee high boots can also be good for those of us who don't get on with heels.

The flats/heel issue completely depends on workplace. I nearly always wear brogues or ballet shoes now but that's because the only time anyone really sees my feet is if I'm off to the canteen or loo. I do have one pair of heels which I would wear for more formal occasions but for day to day wear I don't bother, they cripple me, damage my already deformed feet further and men don't have to wear stilts in an office against their preferences to look 'top notch' so why on earth should I?!

Try me & em for work dresses. I bought quite a few last year in the sale and they have been brilliant. Very versatile and I dress them up with a jacket for formal meetings. Agree with pp that suits need to be well cut and good quality.

I don't wear heels daily but have a couple of pairs for more formal days. I got some £20 ones from M&S and they are comfy and look nice. Rest of the time I wear flats

Female civil engineer here! V male environment

For smart office days-
Dress - Me&Em and Phase 8 are current favorite brands
Shoes - wedges (white stuff) or Clark's brogues, or Duo boots depending on the dress
Everything else clean and tidy.

I wear flats a lot at work -I agree they do tend to look a wee bit more casual but pointed or almond shape toes are smarter in flats than completely round-toed. I also wear loafers sometimes. I resent that women are often expected to wear heels, especially as my male colleagues insist on walking everywhere and then wonder why I struggle to keep pace with them.

I think my boss has this down to a tee. She tends to:

• wear heels, often suede rather than leather - bit softer (flats aren't that flattering anyway are they?)
• rarely wears trousers - dresses are easier to wear and look smarter
• wears nail varnish and a slick of lipstick (ie. always looks groomed)
• often wears patterned tights just to add a bit of personality
• always has a nice handbag

Do the men wear heels? If not, then you are fine in flats too.

[hmmm] but OP did want to look professional AND feminine. Heels are more feminine than flats, don't you think?