Please dress me for work

[MorelloKisses]

Hi all,

I am returning to work soon after mat leave and want to make a splash. I work in the City and am looking to land my next big job and really want some help with clothes. I typically wear skirt suits with blouses/tops, dresses with jackets or cardigans , but I never spend enough on myself.

I basically need a whole new wardrobe so would like help putting together a list of what i need and also help if possible finding a tailored suit- xDH used to buy a suit off the peg and then get it tailored to fit, can women do this? Where? I can't bring myself to spend more than £500 on a suit...

I am 34, size 12, with a shapley bottom and brown hair.

Thanks

Just in case you consider spending more than £500 on a suit

The female partner i used to work with favoured Hobbs etc.

My last good suit was Reiss.

Now I'd go for Pinko, Joseph, and try Thomas Pink and I think Charles Tyrwhitt do female range.

My accountant friend likes Thomas pink shift dresses.

You also need to think about shoes. I'd go Russell and Bromley. Is Bally still around too?

Oh the Hobbs lady was top 5 accountants.

How about also LK Bennett and Jaeger?

Thanks guys. I forgot to mention that I also hate going to shops, but it looks like I am going to have to brave it.

OP - all the above (I think) do online shopping.

BUT personally if it's for work I'd go in person. do you have a friend who could help you? or try a personal shopper?

OP I have the solution to this. YOu book yourself a personal shopper appointment at a big john lewis and tell them exactly what you have put in your OP. I did this when returning to work (and do it sporadically ever since). For someone who doesn't like shopping it is marvelous; you sit in a nice changing room whilst someone else brings armfuls of clothes to you and helps you put together a wardrobe which all fits together.

I just bought this dress and it looks really sharp and is really flattering.

I'm a pear shape with a large 14 on bottom. I got a 14 and it fits fine, so you might take a 10

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Mary+Portas+Long+sleeve+twist+and+tuck+no+brainer+dress/185106620,default,pd.html

Jaeger Hobbs and LK Bennett have good options for work wear.

Personal shopper!,
Brilliant idea

Ok, personal shopping session booked in John Lewis for next week. I already have on LK Bennett wrap dress.

I am thinking:
Black blazer
Black pencil skirt
Black slim trousers
Anothe pair of trousers? Grey?
Another skirt??
Grey tailored dress
Maybe a navy tailored dress and jacket?
Blouses?
Nude heels
Black heels

...

What am I missing?

Thanks!

Thanks bat person, that link I'd v useful. Does anyone know where is good to get clothes altered to fit perfectly in London?

I do work in quite a trad environment. The wrap dress I have is a bold bright pink pattern (and I struggle to pick a jacket to go with it) so was hoping for classic rather than sober, but I take your point? Do y have any advice?

A couple of other brands: Austin Reed, Joseph, Gerard Darel.

Personally, I would be going to House of Fraser on Oxford St, but maybe book to go there after John Lewis?

I understand that you can have Reiss suits tailored, but I would buy whatever suit you like, and then take it to a tailor to have it altered, if need be. Reiss and/or Jigsaw should both have the name of a good alterations person.

BTW I used to work in a trad City job, and my tip would be to buy the matching pieces in a suit, regardless of whether you wear them together, or not. If you can, also get some great, interesting shoes, like snakeskin. Grey snakeskin looks fab w grey suiting.

I would also look at Massimo Dutti, as they make beautiful things. Also, don't overlook Cos (but size down).

I have a blog if you are interested: theworkwearedit.com

I almost forgot to suggest Banana Republic!

I just got a catalogue from this company through the door-

thefoldlondon.com

Not come across it before but really like the look of some of it.

The brand and styling of The Fold are appealing, but I'm a bit confused as to why they are selling polyester suits?

www.reiss.com/womens/suiting/sorrento/black/

So I was fancying the reiss suits, are we saying the wool poly blend is probably no good?

Do you guys have some fabrics in mind?

I would be looking for a higher wool content than just 40%. I would want more like 80% and higher.

Don't go for Reiss. It costs about the same as other places but the quality is terrible. I had a suit from there and less than a year later all the threads were coming undone.

Good luck with the personal shopper. Should be a great experience.

Morello Sales are about to start -normally end of June/start of July.

If you can pinpoint what you want before then, they're great for getting big-price items cheap. I work on Jermyn Street and nearly all the suit shops are heavily discounted for at least a month after the sales start.

I like the Austin Reed jacket but the trousers there all look a bit boot cut rather than slim

Boo. I knew this would be hard.