Stuck in a rut with work clothes - how can I upgrade my wardrobe?

[Tractorandtree]

I've recently moved to a new job and need to upgrade my wardrobe. I'm a lawyer and quite a few of my new clients are very wealthy and I want to 'fit in' better iyswim even though my budget is much lower than theirs.

I have to wear quite traditional formal work stuff (dress & jacket, suits etc). For work clothes I usually shop in places like Reiss, Jigsaw and a few LK Bennett things. I'm a size 8, 5' 4" hourglass, mid 30s, short body and so prefer short jackets, I look v frumpy in longer length jackets or anything that isn't quite fitted. (Places like Hobbs, Jaeger are too boxy in style generally). High necks don't really suit me, a v neck is generally my preferred option. I usually avoid trousers for work although live in jeans outside work. I don't like yellow/orange colours on me but generally flexible otherwise.

I feel that my work style hasn't changed that much since I was in my 20s, before dc and when my budget was v restricted and I see women who look confident and stylish and wearing clothes that are obviously expensive and feel I can't compete. I'm hoping for a promotion in the next year or so and need to look the part.

I just don't know what designers/higher end high st brands are good for this sort of thing or would suit me or what sorts of clothes to go for. I don't have that high a budget all in one go but am looking to add pieces gradually.

Any ideas?

theworkwearedit.com/ is a good place for ideas

I blame the High Street, I think a lot of their work options are generally awful and too black.

I'm a similar body shape to you, OP. Have you considered wrap dresses, or the wealth of variety on Amazon? I personally find ebay too mad and cluttered, but some brands online have turned out to be fab for me.

I've also found prints and colours that I've really liked, and where the dresses might be a bit too long or not nipped in enough, I've had them taken in by a seamstress.

My key pieces are:

• Wrap dress (plain and patterned)
• Different colours of jackets (bright, dark, white, depending on dress to wear with)
• Chunky jewellery to liven up a plain outfit
• Pencil skirt (navy, grey)
• White shirt (always tailored, some stretch)
• Bright scarf to go with shirts/plain dresses
• Belts to nip in any dresses I can't be bothered to get taken in, or to finish off trousers

Okay I am not corporate so this is probably unhelpful. Does it have to be a matching suit jacket? I tend not to wear suit jackets but short boucle type jackets over suit dresses, kind of coco Chanel shaped jackets. It adds a bit of contrast in both colour and material and IMO still looks really smart. What tops do you wear with skirts, I can't look chic in a shirt, I need a structured top.

And of course accessories including watch/shoes and bag.

Hobbs has 20 per cent off everything this week (mailing list code). In the short term you could get some accessories and shoes, even if you don't like their clothes generally. I saw some lovely necklaces today for example.

OP it sounds like you're already shopping in the right places to me. If you want to add a few designer pieces I'd probably wait for the Xmas sales and get a few things then, but try to plan in advance what you want so that you can pounce on them when the sales start (by using Pinterest). Then there's the Outnet, which would mean that you can buy stuff anytime because it's already reduced.

Re finding things to suit your shape, it sounds like you have a good idea of your style. Websites like net a porter/the outnet/my wardrobe give exact measurements of things so that you can see in advance whether it should fit.

I would look at J crew, and also check out Atterley Road for reasonably priced brands.

It sounds like you just need a really good browse online...!

I'd look at Austin Reed, Matches. Me&Em & Pure Collection - all good for workwear which is a step up from the standard High Street.