University academic mid-life fashion - upping my game

[PiratePanda]

I'm a university academic in the creative end of the humanities. Since I started as a lecturer, back in the day when I was willowy and - not that I realised at the time (sigh!) - rather restful to the eyes, I have been getting away with a work wardrobe of nice dark navy jeans, elegant flat or heeled shoes, some kind of top, and a jacket.

But I now very definitely look my age, 43, and have resigned myself to the fact that as DS is now 7 I'm probably not ever going to lose the baby weight. The level of casual of my current wardrobe is no longer working for me, and I really feel that I need to up my style game as I progress towards professorship. I'm aiming for a glamorous media don kind of look -- I'm not on TV, but I do do a lot of public speaking. I can certainly get away with librarian chic, and a twist on tweed and elbow patches.

I'm an hourglass with an E cup bust, and a size 14-16. My legs are my worst feature no matter how big or small I am, so trousers are great - or would be, except I have a hard time finding suitable sizes and fits. I used to look amazing in things like L K Bennett dresses, and have several in sizes 10 and 12, but thanks to massive mortgage and small boy I don't currently have the disposable income to buy a whole new wardrobe on that level, though a couple of investment pieces for sure. I also hate synthetic fabrics, and avoid them if I can.

Anyone willing to have a go at helping me up my style game?

I think you would like Cos

Your post struck a chord with me - if only we had known how gorgeous we were when we were young!
I quite like the 'mad art teacher look' Toast clothes, chunky jewellery and mad hair, but that may not be quite the look you're going for.
Cos are lovely in a minimalist way, but I find the clothes a bit hard to carry off. They're a bit too avant garde for me really and don't suit my body shape.
What kind of clothes do you like? They say to dress for the job you want, so what do the other profs wear? If I were you, I would go for a walk around Liberty or Margaret Howell to get some inspiration, and then look for cheaper versions in M&S and Gap.

Thanks @rightknockered - unfortunately Cos clothes don't suit me at all :( - they look amazing on my SIL but horribly dumpy on me.

OOOh. This is a thread for me! Have precisely the same problem, although a little further along the line (early fifties).

I like John Lewis, particularly their own Kin line for dresses that can be dressed up with smartish jackets. I have also cut down on the amount of black that I wear - sitting here in a bright red dress at the moment.

Some of my courses are taken by Fashion students, which can be depressing, but they have taught me the importance of good accessories, especially necklaces, to take the eye away from other issues.

I really like tailored/structured dresses with interesting but tailored jackets (I can't do anything swingy or unstructured or I look humungous - the trials of being an hourglass), and tailored trousers (and of course excellent jeans ) with fine knits or plain t-shirts, scoop or v-neck. Can't do blouses/shirts with buttons up the front because of boobage (and please no-one mention Pepperberry; I find it nasty and cheap). Can't do above the knee. Don't like skirts or shorts. Do cardigans, but generally twinset-style.

Sounds very boring, no? I'm not conservative at all, and I would like to be quirkier, but any additional fabric makes me look dumpy.

Colour-wise I'm a summer, if that's useful.

Oh - the other very crucial thing - I have large upper arms that need coverage, so dresses MUST have sleeves. I do not like always having to wear a cardigan; I'd like to wear dresses/tops by themselves.

Also I love scarves and have hundreds of the bloody things. Maybe I should be going for the 60s air-hostess look.

Yes to necklaces, but I think I need to get the basic wardrobe right first because they need to work with necklines.

It sounds like you're not after a complete change of style, more an upgrade to something a bit smarter / more interesting / more structured? If yes then I'd hang on a few more weeks until the autumn stuff begins to land. I've heard rumours of tailoring, tweed, corduroy and and even trouser suits (although we may have to call them 'co-ords' this time around) all making a come back, which sound perfect for an hourglass academic ass-kicking look.

For reasonable prices and some (though not always) reasonable fabrics, I think Uniqlo are worth a look, particularly the JW Anderson collaboration that's coming out in September. Also M&S Autograph (the M&S preview got a bit of a pasting on here but I quite like it.) I also like a bit of Toast although they're in a higher league in terms of prices.

more an upgrade to something a bit smarter / more interesting / more structured?

^^ yy

I used to shop at Noa Noa all the time, and still like them very much, but wonder whether they are a little young for me now.

Definitely not - I've just been looking at their website, hadn't seen them for ages.

Maybe H&M premium range - here ?
Also Hennes and Mauritz have a new brand coming out in the autumn and it sounds like they're aiming at something higher end and more polished. I can't remember the name but I'm sure there'll be lots of publicity. I'm just praying for a better website than Cos and H&M!

Congratulations on your career going so well! You sound like somebody I would like to be taught by.
I second cos - although their models are alloways tall and willowy you can be selective and find things that suit more curvy shapes - don't order on line as I have things ranging from. XS to large nad they all fit.
I also wander about a stylist. John Lewis does a free one which you can book for -takes a couple hours but sound worthwhile.
The other thing is "Shopping my wardrobe" . Either paying someone or asking a stylish friend.
Also get my makeup done at your favourite brand.
Have Fun!

Get thee to Uniqlo! I've mentioned them on several threads lately so I promise I don't work for them! I find their styles interesting and quirky, well priced and most importantly they use breathable fabrics.

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/women

I've also mentioned booking a free stylist session at John Lewis or your nearest department store before. Again, I don't work for them but having an outside opinion is useful. The stylist may suggest colours & styles that you've not considered before. There's no obligation to buy so it can be used to gather ideas.

www.johnlewis.com/our-services/fashion-advice-service?

I second M&S but you have to search through their website for the gems. Never go in a store or you will instantly die of a fashion-induced existential crisis

I am also E of norkage and find I can wear ordinary shirts with a vest top underneath.

Look out for Whistles and Jigsaw sales - they have dresses that fit your spec. Don't be put off by Whistles' obsession with describing everything as 'body con', apparently under the impression that it is still 2010. A lot of their dresses are actually very flattering on. And you don't have to iron them!

I'd go easy on the scarves, tbh. They can look pretty dated and 'cheerful older home counties lady with a nice splash of colour'.

Start with your underwear first. Get yourself fitted properly for a bra and avoid M&S at all costs. I recently booked a fitting with Debenhams and I was very pleased with them. The fitter was very knowledgeable & the store stocked lots of different brands.

I reckon a good pair of boots is a good starting point. They are starting to creep in to the shops now. There'll be loads soon.

Do you like any of these looks? They are quite autumnal but I'm guessing you are thinking for next semester.

Hobbs? Jigsaw?

I'm in a similar line of work to you, older than you and similarly have realised I am now porky, not the willowy thing I was when I started.

I find & Other Stories are good. They have slightly funky/arty but smart clothes at reasonable prices (eg loose, gorgeous block colour pure silk blouses with long drapey arms for about £60.)

And this season M&S (unbelievable but true) have good trousers for women with heavy legs - some really well cut linen trousers in all sorts of colours and some lovely drapey palazzo pants in plain colours.

If you're splashing out a bit, try Poetry which have gorgeous, classic arty clothes, bit like Nicole Farhi used to do years ago.

The latest line from the H&M/Cos stable whose name I'd forgotten is Arket
(I had a sneaky look on the Vogue thread - thank you I thought one of you would know
The promo is typically wanky but I'm looking forward to seeing the clothes. (Not that they'll be opening a store up in these parts!)

Am so excited about Arket - they're taking over the old (and huge) Banana Republic store on Regent Street and I've got very high hopes. I'm also 43 and gaining weight - something must be done.

Jigsaw have really upped their game - lovelier stuff than a couple of years ago. Cos also fab, once you've tried on the 20 things in store to find the 2-3 things that work. And Other Stories too, though sizing quite ungenerous.

LK Bennet remains a mystery though - everything looks like Pippa Middleton should be wearing it - really not a look I'm going for.

Oh and yes, have recently started buying Uniqlo knitwear for wear - the merino wool is stupendously high quality and really nice to wear.

For work not wear

Oooh fabulous suggestions. I clearly went to bed too late last night!

I meant early...sigh

Finery have some nice quirky, structured stuff (and some frankly odd looking stuff too!).

No suggestions as above have all been brilliant. But have you thought about selling your too small dresses? If you can't be arsed with eBay then do you have a dress agency near you? They usually take 50% of the resale value but saves any hassle of selling yourself. Round here lk Bennett dresses are usually snapped up.