Older lady struggling to be smart but comfortable at work

[blueskypink]

Looking for suggestions! In my head I'm still tall, slim and elegant, but sadly only the first of those is true. I've lost my waist, I swear my boobs are growing - and starting to sag and I feel very frumpy. I need to look smart at work but hate wearing jackets. They never fit properly and I always feel constrained by them.

Over the winter I've been wearing smart skirts, with plain jumpers over the top (covering my waist) and smartened up with some nice jewellery. Nice ankle boots to finish off the look.

But what to wear when the weather gets too warm for jumpers? Too self conscious to tuck a blouse into a skirt or trousers and a blouse/thin top worn over the top of a waistband looks to me a bit unfinished and in need of a jacket.

Any suggestions for a largish lady in her late 50s who wants to be comfortable but smart at work?

I think you might need to re-think "smart". Do you work in the legal profession, or anywhere else where there is a particular dress code you really have to adhere to? If not, might be time to ditch the notion that smart = tucked in waistband and jackets.

There are plenty of shirts/tops that are designed to be worn over the top of skirts, and there are plenty of more untailored unstructured jackets that can give a "finished" look without making you feel crammed into a strait-jacket.

I think your winter outfits sound great and if your tall you'll probably still carrying yourself with an air of elegance.

In warmer weather how about longline, slightly floaty shirts over trousers? And in hot weather maxi dresses that aren't too fussy (one colour simple shape) with statement jewellery?

Have you looked at Wallis? There are lots of tops that are smart but floaty, like this.

m.wallis.co.uk/en/wluk/product/light-blue-floral-print-double-flute-sleeve-top-7520930

What size clothes d’you wear, (roughly)?

And where would you usually shop? (Regarding budget.)

I have just been browsing & Other Stories, and admiring their new dresses - but I find their fabrics rarely look as good in the flesh as they do on a screen.

Oh god sorry Dragons - I hate Wallis. Went in there yesterday and there's just too much pastel, floaty, waterfall, synthetic stuff.

I'm a size 16/18 (and trying to do something about it). Another problem is that my height means a lot of clothes aren't long enough for me (but ironically I'm not tall enough for Long Tall Sally).

I used to shop in places like Next, M&S and Wallis but can't find a thing in any of them that I like. And I'd rather pay more for good quality fabrics than cheap synthetics. I have some success with places like White Stuff, East and Masai, but not a huge amount. I just want some simple, well-coordinated and comfortable outfits!

Oh no problem! We need to start somewhere to work out what you like.

Since you are tall, some of the stuff from toast might look very good on you. It's expensive but you could look out for sale items. Jigsaw is also good for natural fabrics.

Have you looked at Cos? Awful styling on the website but beautiful on and very well made.

Cos is a good call. Plenty of smart dresses that are not constricting. I also like Masai jersey dresses. So comfortable.

Love Masai dresses!

Also, I have a similar figure to you op but find myself too busty for Cos. Hobbs clothes fit me better.

Cos do a good line in quite minimalist oversized shirts in neutral colours, which don't crumple on a hot summers day (unlike linen). When I was trying to be smart in an office, whilst also being round and over 50, I wore them with cropped black trousers from M&S or similar. www.cosstores.com/gb/Women/Shirts/Grandad-collar_shirt_with_curved_hem/10898847-86151881.1#c-22755. They also sometimes have coat cardigans, which are smarter than cardigans and more forgiving than jackets - this sort of thing. www.cosstores.com/gb/Women/Knitwear/Textured_jacquard_knit_cardigan/46889-88079875.1#c-24480

A few ideas. You would have to order the last two quickly as they will go soon because of the sale price.

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0118-5383-904500&productvarid=0118-5383-904500-TEAL-12&refpage=promotions/sale-dresses

www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/knee-length_cod7789028784519821.html

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-dresses/printed-dresses/ww217-grn/womens-pixie-green-shadow-floral-fleur-fitted-dress
www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-dresses/day-dresses/w0022-nvy/womens-navy-ashbourne-dress

I can't understand why people are into Cos , it's all shapeless and the model looks so miserable as if they been forced at gunpoint nto wear the clothes.

Masai is lovely but one item is more or less a year's clothes budget

Sadly Boden dresses and skirts aren't long enough and anything with a waist is out - not least because of my height the waist would sit too high.

I'd be too nervous to wear a clingy dress because of my tum.

Oversized shirts can work though can look a bit tent like on me.

But I do appreciate the suggestions!

What about Phase Eight?

Jigsaw, Hobbs and Phase Eight are good bets. I'd look again at Boden but I'm average height and their stuff is ok on me. Longer than mid calf is currently fashionable for dresses. How about Cos, &otherstories and Arket?

Phase 8 always looks a bit too dressy to me

Agree about the cost of Masai, but honestly I'm so fed up with my wardrobe i'm happy to splurge!

OP try boden again, they do some styles in long, and you may suit the dresses that sit more under the bust and then fall from there.
When I was bigger, and very busty the Jersey dress and the margot dresses were real hits with a simple cardigan over the top instead of a jacket

Another idea maybe try pepper Berry... This is clothes made by the bravissimo team, you can order different sizes which are cut for different boobage.
They arw well structured, do tops and shirts and dresses

Why don't you book an appointment with a personal dresser in John Lewis, OP? Some of them are fantastic.

I have been toying with the idea Hollow, but I never really see many clothes I like in John Lewis! But maybe they might be able to suggest a style that would work.

I know this might freak you a bit but have you tried asos tall? Most things from there would be a no but they do come up trumps occasionally in terms of flattering tops suitable for work and the quality is better than next in my experience. also the clothes change on there pretty frequently, ive ummed and ahhh'd over buying some thing then going back to look another day and its gone. Also if your looking for a bit of quirk joe browns used to cut on the tall side....they can be OTT flamboyant tho but they used to do fab shirts.

John Lewis Kin collection is good. The beauty of a personal stylist session is that the suggest styles & colours which suit you. Then you can decide whether to buy from JL or keep the ideas for a future shopping trip.

m.johnlewis.com/our-services/personal-styling

I tend to steer away from buying things online. I find it so difficult to find clothes that fit well, feel comfy and that I like the look of, I'd be forever sending stuff back. I was forgetting about Kin - have a couple of tops from there.

I may have to bite the bullet and try a personal stylist in JL. They'd have a challenge with me though!

How about Winser London? I keep looking at their stuff and thinking about it but my job is too practical for it really. They have some nice looking things.

I saw a dark orange Marella dress in House of Fraser last week that I still regret not buying so maybe Marella?

I've tried Pepperberry. They have an odd mix of materials some of which don't last well and some of which are great.