Work wardrobe for the clueless, help!!

[1amtheonewhoKnocks]

OK I'm useless at picking clothes. Work in academia as a lecturer so tends to be smart casual and I never get it right!! I either look overdressed or an utter hobo. Really need some advice and new clothes, am veering towards pencil skirts and basic plain tops, is that ok sounding????.

Am 5ft 6 long dark blonde hair, 36 yrs old and 11st 10 but training for 10k so trying to lose weight. Bit of a stomach and fat arms. Yes I sound delightful I know, have I mentioned... Help!!!!

Cigarette trews?
Pencil skirts fine - maybe with a fitted cardigan?

Cheers, don't do cardigans I hate long sleeves usually prefer short or 3/4. Might head out tomorrow to pick up couple of skirts then try and figure out what shoes??? Would boots and tights go with a pencil skirt in winter?? Said I was clueless

I like opaques and heeled ankle boots with pencil skirts.

Most of the academics I know dress really casually.

With us it depends on the discipline, some are more casual than others. Thing is I'm head of a course so lower management sort of level but want to look nice but not too formal. Not sure why I can't ever seem to find the balance? Tend to just wear same things over and over.

Sorry, I got sidetracked by dinner.

Would a pencil skirt not be a little formal for every day wear? How about a tube type skirt instead which looks a little less formal and can be dressed up or down?

You could get away with boots, ankle boots or shoes with a tube skirt.

What about jeans, worn with some kind of loose cami and a blazer shaped jacket? It's my fail safe smart casual look.

Pencil skirts with opaques and ankle boots or pointy low wedge shoes and bare legs.
Wear with slim fit shirts or blouses with interesting patterns. Add a fitted cashmere jumper for winter.

Cigarette pants with a kitten heel.
Wear with shirts and blouses as above. Or with neat 3/4 sleeve stripe top. Possibly a scarf.

Thanks all, there's a difference between tube skirts and pencil ones? Had no idea. Just ordered 2 pencil skirts from H&M as a starting point, can't do links they're the black and grey ones for £14.99. Got side jersey basic short sleeve tops as well and a couple of vneck jumpers.

Thing is I live in jeans and trainers so I have a limited concept of casual which doesn't help and I really lack confidence with clothes. Thanks for the suggestions, think it'll be trial and error.

How do you feel about dresses? They make getting dressed in the morning so easy once you've found a shape/style that works for you. Plain coloured ones can be mixed up with diff cardis/jackets and footwear. I love a good dress.

Dresses are great. Only one thing to choose in the morning! I buy decent stuff (Whistles, Reiss) from Ebay or cheap from Dotty Ps.

I don't mind dresses but nothing floaty at the bottom of you know what I mean as it makes me look hideously dumpy. My favourite smart dress is a gorgeous Jasper Conran grey shift dress but that is really for proper smart occasions. Prefer plain rather than patterned but I wouldn't have first idea of where to look!! I'd like to avoid looking like a weather presenter if possible!

What kind of look do you like? Does this sort of thing work for you?

I could easily wear black or navy every day and jazz it up with scarves, jewellery and brooches.

Would that work for you?

Why not book a free personal stylist session at John Lewis & there is no obligation to buy their recommendations.

You will get a fresh perspective on what styles and colours suit you.

m.johnlewis.com/mt/www.johnlewis.com/our-services/fashion-advice-service#page_loaded

Look at belindas blog. We have a workwear thread going altho it's dormant atm

And never ever a kitten heel

yy re kitten heel
vile

Looking at the H&M website they appear to describe skirts that I would call tube skirts as pencil skirts.

For me a tube skirt has an elasticated waist band and is made of a soft and stretchy fabric. A pencil skirt is more structured with a fixed waistband, less stretch, has a zip and leans towards formal rather than casual. The sort of skirt that may be part of a business suit.

Thanks all greatly appreciated! Well I went for a personal shopper service at Debenhams today and came away £200 pounds lighter and some lovely John Rocha jersey dresses to wear with boots, some trousers a couple of tops and a beautiful thick dress which dp says is too fancy for every day wear but personal shooter days would be great with boots and now I'm happy.

Need to find some plain black trousers and navy ones as they were expensive there and I'm between sizes so don't want to spend too much if they won't fit for long. Need to figure out shoes as well for autumn, courts????

theworkwearedit.com/