Makeover required please: Professional, yet young, not frumpy.....

[Legacy]

Have decided that the body I have now is the one I am stuck with post kids, so I HAVE to revamp my wardrobe (have resisted any major shopping really since DS2, and he is now 4! )

Also I have recently become a freelance consultant and as such, need to 'dress the part' a bit more (my last job was a fairly relaxed 'smart casual')

Soooooo the brief is broadly:

• Professional, but not too dowdy/fumpy
• Youthful, but not too 'trendy' IYSWIM?

I work in the marketing/ management consultancy area, so a bit of 'personality' is ok I guess.

The current 'outfits' which I have bought and feel are sort of right are:

• A navy pinstripe good quality suit (Austin reed)(trousers) worn with a v neck top and chunky jewellry (to stop it being too formal/city)
• Black trousers (feature a lot actually) with an 'East' black/white floral wrap top and a Hobbs beige jacket
• Suede jacket (Phase Eight) with long sleeved T-shirt (V neck) and trousers

And some general preferences:

• I much prefer trousers to skirts, as I find high shoes uncomfortable for every day ALTHOUGH I do have a pair of lovely LK Bennett black suede knee lenght boots and a comfy pair of quite high black lace-up granny shoes? But I simply can't do stillettos etc

Also I mix in a lot of male-dominated environment, and somehow the flowery dress thing doesn't seem quite right....

Vital Statistics:

Short blonde bob hair
5 ft 6 in
10 st 4 lbs - slimish, but now conscious of flabby tum. Boobs still good (34B)

Can anyone suggest some new combinations/ shops/ online retailers?

PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE.......

Oh dear.... looks like I'm a lost cause then....

well, you sound like you're doing quite well to me, more advanced and thought out that my wardrobe!
If you're making a significant change like this and have money to spend then why not go to john lewis(?), harvey nics, selfridges etc and get a personal shopper to help you? Think they're free but work on commission from what you spend.

oh and I keep talking about doing this but seem to have already spent my alloted amount of money on I'm not sure what - not v stylish things from Gap or suits which are too short
i never learn!

Anyone else suggest some new stores/ looks?

you're welcome

Zara!
very good for stylish suits that are in no way frumpy (the trousers are always hugely long though so get them taken up)

If your budget really is Phase 8 / Austin Reed type, try also Jigsaw and Whistles for slightly edgy suits in interesting colours that don't look too City. Also Reiss (although there's not one near me so I never know if their current stuff is any good)

Get a cool bag as well - either in a funky (possibly slouchy) design or a good colour, but not a dull briefcase type.

RantotheHills - sorry! Wasn't being ungrateful for yoru suggestions - was just bumping really!

Thanks too Mrs Badger!

Hi Legacy

May I suggest Thomas Pink for really nice shirts and shirtdresses have a look at \link\www.thomaspink.co.uk/uk/womens/
apologies about the link, not had much exp on Mumsnet. A good quality white shirt will be a staple as well. Add interest with accessories and keep items basic and they will work better for you. If you struggle in heels, I suggest ballet style pumps or flat pointed or round toed shoes which will look good with suits. To be honest the high granny shoes do not sound great! You could try kitten heels but I find them quite difficult to walk in and I am a heels girl. Wrap tops are great for creating interest and the v neck draws the eye down. Make sure your trousers graze the floor - ankle length is not a good look. Personal shopping is a good idea if you want to ensure you invest your money wisely. I am a stylist, my website details are www.raejames-personalstylist.com if you are interested a shopping trip.

How do you feel about dresses?

ooh, would avoid Pink shirts personally - too City for me.

Fashionsista - thanks, but I'm afraid I have to agree with Mrs Badger - not a fan of Thomas Pink or crisp white shirts in general - all a bit McKinsey! I always think the collars looks a bit weird with any kind of jacket.

The granny shoes may sound horrible, but are actually rather nice and great with long trousers. I like a bit of heel, but have very wide feet, so can only wear something fairly supportive. Kitten heels are out for me - always fall off them!

Mousie - I'm not really a dress person, and I think one of my issues with dresses is that they always need cleaning after just one wear, so not as practical as separates and tops that can be washed?

ah, but the good thing about dresses vs suits is you sling them in the washing machine and the whole outfit comes out clean, unlike suits where not only do you have to wash the tops but also dryclean the jacket and trousers at vast expense and inconvenience...

Shirt dresses in the summer can be a very good look - still formal but a sight more comfortable than trousers. (I move in less dressy circles so mine are from Primark rather than Pink though.)

I'm deeply in envy of your LK Bennett boots so would suggest trying on a dress or two so you can wear them at every opportunity before the weather turns too warm!

Hmm.... Mrs Badger - you might be right. But what kinds of dresses can I put in the washing machine??

I guess wrap dresses might be a current possibility? I'm liking this one from East at the moment...HIgh Society Capsule but it is still rather 'dressy' for me....

oh yes, jersey wrap dresses def worth a bash - Hobbs have a couple of nice ones at the moment too.

What about this

or this

both machine washable