Just been promoted - need to sort work wardrobe

[Crutchlow35]

I am now going to be out and about meeting potential clients rather than back of office as before.

Suits are no good. I have a big bust which just makes suit jackets look ridiculous on me - unless you know any that are really good? I am an 18/20 on top because of my bust. I do have a nice blazer from pepperberry but they don't do jackets that often.

Usually for work I wear trousers and either flat brogues or heels with a vest top or shirt and a cardigan that type of style. In winter skirts with tights and boots.

It does suit me but how can I make that look more professional for when I meeting with clients? Scarves bother me around my neck but might look at silk rather than cotton ones when I am shopping.

Any suggestions? I just feel cardi and trousers is perhaps a bit too casual.

Dresses. I'm a convert - you always look well put together IMO. Hobbs have super smart business ones (I've also got a bust and they are fine on me) eg. www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0214-5711-3671L00&productvarid=0214-5711-3671L00-NAVY-18&refpage=dresses

I don't often need to be that smart though so I have a whole pile of Monsoon jersey dresses that I wear most of the time - this one in particular has received masses of compliments.

uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1,mon_1.2/5530316108

I accessorise well too. I love scarves (and inherited a whole pile from my Mum that I like to wear) and big chunky jewellery. I spend a lot of my day on my feet so tend to wear flats/ wedges but if you are able heels can really lift an outfit.

Other places that are good for dresses are: Phase 8, Boden, sometimes Fat Face (can be too scruffy),

I would second dresses - much easier as no co-ordination required. I feel a massive sense of relief of having numerous dresses (for work and weekends) that make getting dressed super easy. I would recommend Jaeger outlet stores, Cos, Hobbs sale/outlet stores.

Celebrate your promotion by getting a personal shopper appointment at John Lewis or Debenhams. I've done this a couple of times for work events & been very happy. Tell them this and sit with a cup of tea while they pick out loads of things for you to try...

I forgot to add - I think it's better to keep it simple and unfussy, as a)that is easier and b) it tends to look more professional I think.

So things like this: www.cosstores.com/nl/Shop/Women/Sale/Dresses_Skirts/Gathered_silk_dress/7060348-14923153.1#c-24479

www.jaegeroutlet.com/Cross-Over-Front-Dress/635545Z,en_GB,pd.html?dwvar_635545Z_color=75000&dwvar_635545Z_size=6&start=34&cgid=women-dresses-outlet

www.jaegeroutlet.com/British-Linton-Tweed-Dress/630007G,en_GB,pd.html?dwvar_630007G_color=00100&dwvar_630007G_size=6&start=39&cgid=women-dresses-outlet

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0213-5569-3999L00&productvarid=0213-5569-3999L00-DARK%20NAVY-10&refpage=outlet/dresses

I second the personal shopper idea, let someone else think about it while you relax.

Also if there is an independent clothes boutique that you like, go in and chat to them. You'll often find they'll order clothes and sizes in for customers and naturally do the personal shopper style experience as a matter of course.

Also a size 18 top here & short too. Shift dresses with a fitted jacket with 3/4 sleeves are you friend. Laura Ashley or Jaeger have a cheaper line as do Alexon.

ps don't write Laura Ashley off as floral. They had a lovely dark grey wool shift dress last winter that would look great with a long sleeve tshirt underneath. I tried it on twice but couldn't justify the purchase.

Definitely dresses.

I wear dresses to work all the time, even when I'm in court and rarely wear a jacket. They are very easy.

Thanks all. Dresses can be difficult but will look again. My top half is much bigger than the bottom.

I like lots of the Bravissimo/Pepperberry dresses and have a few for work now having been promoted about a year ago. They could be the answer to your bust issue, although sometimes they come up a bit short IMO......

Don´t buy anything that hasn´t worked in the past and fool yourself you´ll get used to it. Stick to what you know - perhaps just more expensive versions of what you wear already, better cut, better fabrics etc. with better quality shoes and bag, and getting your hair done more frequently.

As far as clothes go just feel confident and comfortable and that will project well onto your clients. Good luck, and congratulations on your promotion!

Do you know someone else said exactly the same today to me happy36 so that might be the answer.

I always have my nails done so may be some nice silk scarves may work plus I need to get a large bag/briefcase now too.

Really nice cardigans with a dress, or skirt and vest top can look really smart. I love the LK Bennett ones with embellishments (which I buy on ebay).

My very busty colleague often wears dresses from Pepperberry (her shirts from there are the sooper dooper curvy ones), or trousers with a more unstructured top from Mint Velvet or Phase Eight.

I don't do scarves formally (and I fiddle with them which isn't a great look), but my favourite really dressed for work jewellery is from Heavenly Necklaces - the solitaire pendant and stud earrings look very convincing, esp under office lights (and fab at trade shows under the bright spots).

As someone who has no style with tops needing to be larger than bottoms, I always struggle with dresses.

Trousers, nice top, decent shoes. If you put layers underneath the top, you don't need a jacket, even in winter - so a fine knitted jumper, with a vest underneath, and a decent coat means you can go visit people. The other thing I do is have a jacket in my office, only to be worn if absolutely necessary - I hate jackets.

Yes to decent bag - make sure its big enough for laptop and lunch!

Definitely agree on the dresses. I am an 18/20, and have a wardrobe full of this shape of dress:

www.justlastseason.co.uk/en/planet-navy-shift-dress-424650

Mostly from the autonomy outlet (wash and wear great).

Blouse/ Striped blouse underneath in Spring/ autumn, cute rollneck in winter. Bare arms with dressy cardi/light jacket in summer.

Good luck!!!!!

Look at Saint Bustier they are like pepperberry but have nice dresses.

www.viyella.co.uk/fcp/product/viyella/Jackets/Petite-Ocean-Ottoman-Jacket/3843

I must wear very conservative suits for work and if you do not absolutely have to then don't. I agree with happy36 totally. I take a Marks and Spencer 8 or 10 for trousers/skirts and a 14 for tops because of bust size. Dresses are impossible. Jackets are mostly a disaster but there are some out there if you persist, This one in the petite,although I am over 5 foot seven inches tall was a winner...altho not dull enough for work. Unfortunately there is no one brand that consistently produces jackets that are not a shambles on me. I go out twice a year and try on every jacket in the shops. I have tried on every jacket in Austin Reed to find only one possible. My last suit buying ordeal had me try on everything in Debenhams, Viyella,Jaeger,Country Casuals,next and Marks all of which have produced something possible in the past with no luck, I then tried Planet and got two that were perfect. This had taken all day.

I wear mostly smart casual to work - trousers and tops, but have been thinking about changing my wardrobe about with a smart dress or two.(Dress for the job you want rsther than the one you've got etc). I love the Jaeger dresses that were linked in a post near the start of this thread but am wondering if they are a bit too smart.

Also I'm wondering about shoes to wear with these; I don't own a pair of heels. Would flats be ok, do you think?

That tweed Jaeger dress is fab & a bargain - wear with opaques & flats to stop being OTT.

The other issue I have with dresses are so many are up to your neck which isn't flattering with big boobs but I may order some just to try and make sure.

I have big boobs and don't like Pepperberry suits. I can still wear normal jackets and blazers, if they are this type, just one button and quite low, so leaves more room for boobs - www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0114-4531-9083L00&productvarid=0114-4531-9083L00-DOVE BLUE-12&refpage=promotions/sale-highlights

Let us know what you get! I love vicarious shopping!

Also I remembered these words of wisdom from my mum ( who is stylish, not only in my opinion!) Buy "cheap" white and black and expensive colour. Because white clothes go yellowy or grey after some time regardless of quality and it's nicer to just have fresh oned. And black fades, again, regardless of the original cost.

Happy shopping!