Senior-ish, work in City, need help with wardrobe

[Newhouse76]

My work wardrobe is a bit of a mish mash of Zara, Hobbs and a couple of things from Reiss ..although having checked its predominantly Zara. I wear mainly dresses and im not really into fashion 😳

2 woman have just joined the team and look effortlessly chic! They dont wear suits but separates which are really nicely put together.

Im very lucky to have been paid a bonus this month so would like to put some of it towards uograding my wardrobe.

Where should i start? I walked into Hobbs but walked out again as i felt panic and didnt know where to start 😳. Im not sure whether to try again or if someone could recommend me an independant personal shopper who is not affiliated to just one shop?

Im 43, 5 foot 4, size 8-10, people often think im much younger (ie in my twenties) than i am

You need to visit Cos to get it, I think but there are pieces that definitely fit your brief.

I think it’s about palette. In my case, I look much more “I mean business” in navy/white/grey/black with an occasional flash of colour.

Shoes: LK, never unpolished or down at heel
Bag: as expensive as you can stand
Nails short and and hair
Make up: Bobbi Brown all the way, save Mac for the weekenf

Gah - really want to have a Lizzie Edwards revamp now. Darn it. (Can't justify the expense though!)

Pure is also worth a look. I've got some good pencil skirts from there, and the quality is good.
Also Jigsaw. And some (not all) Massimo Dutti.

I think you need a tailored look. If you can get to Blackheath I can recommend Devernois in the Village. Have you tried House if Fraser in the City.

House of Fraser hasn't been worth bothering with for a while, particularly since Mike Ashley bought it. OP will be wasting her time trying the one in the City or anywhere else for that matter.

Sorry StellaRockaFella I forgot about the recent purchase of the Group by Mike Ashley. The HofF in the City (just over London Bridge) was very good in the past.

Forget Zara. There's plenty of latitude these days on style; but you should go for quality, so good cut, natural fibres etc.. Max Mara, Jigsaw, Cos

Cos is diffiicult to recommend on here because their styling on the website is so poor. In a shop, there are rails of structured, minimalist items in natural fibres, which are grouped into colllections. Their shoes and accessories work with their clothes. The colour palettes are always great for the season and have lots of timeless neutrals, navy and black.
My two favourite dresses are from there. I would buy more, but I'm hourglass with a large bust, so can't wear it all.
From a high street of poorly made synthetic, Cos is a dream.

I e got some lovely sleeveless knitted dresses from Reiss this month, in my colours too (Autumn). I’ll wear them with heels and not take my jacket off but Reiss I think is perfect price point, quality and trendy. I used to dress like an 80 year old in Aquasuction and Austin Reed at 20 🙈

House of Fraser in the City closed at Christmas, sadly.

I'm the same age as you, OP, and also in a fairly senior role in the City. I find buying work wear frustrating. Every high street is full of workwear shops for me, with rows of suits in decent hardworking fabrics, but it is so much harder for women.

I end up at the following:
Massimo Dutti
Jaeger
Whistles
Cos
Hobbs
Reiss
Karen Millen
Boden

But at all of them you have to work through loads of complete tat/weird boxy/fussy stuff to find things you can actually wear at work.

Although I didn’t start this thread I have loved all the amazing tips here. 49 (well as of yesterday!) senior exec in a fortune 20 IT company and have majorly been struggling with what to throw on to look “my position” in a very youth oriented culture. Had never seen The Fold, it’s perfect for the C Suite meetings and Cos for every day, straddles between adulting and fun and funky.
Many thanks to you fashionistas!

That should say men not me. Shops really aren't full of workwear for me!

I am still not getting the Cos love! I always go in there and think I’ll come out with some really trendy outfits, but I never buy. The clothes are well made, but they seem too trendy for my work. If I was a lecturer in an art college and had no boobs it might be okay. Maybe I will give it a go again. To be honest, I really had to push myself to wear some of the Fold stuff. One of my outfits looks a bit like those futuristic outfits that the comics of my childhood depicted people wearing in space when we had colonised the Moon or Mars.

I hate Cos. Someone described it to me as 'sexy dentist' and that says it all.

Does anyone have a Whistles code btw? I might buy that black dress linked up thread.

Thanks!

Sorry Ivegotthree it was a weekend promo not a code. However they sometimes do Grazia promotions. Probably not right now though as there is a sale on (although the dress isn't in the sale).

Inliverpool1 very jealous of your navy cotton version...

Good one swimminguphill, I'll keep an eye on Grazia, thank you.

Whistles is one of those places I don't like paying full price for!

Thanks so much for the hints and tips everyone - realise that ive probably been dressing like a granny in my Hobbs outfits 😬.

Thanks for the other recommendations - like the store in Greenwich etc - i must take a look. Must NOT get paralysed by too much choice!

Are the Hotsquash dresses nice for the office? I couldnt work out what they are made of if they are quick drying etc

There seem to be so many of us in the same boat - i feel that we might benefit from a drink to compare and contrast outfits!

Are you all on LinkedIn ? I was considering a group where like minded professionals could talk about style that works for us professionally and out of the office

I’m on LinkedIn

Also on Linkedin

Yes, me too

Cos always reminds me of Issey Miyake. Very large and quite structured if not engineered. I can’t say I’m a fan.

I have tried so hard to get on with COS and have admitted defeat. I don’t suit clothes that “skim” - I need fairly close fitting, tailored clothes otherwise I appear the size of a house. I have tried on so much with no success.

However I do really like Arket which is COS quality and less hospital gown like. I have a lot of tops from there.

I’m also on LinkedIn, sounds like a great idea.

How do we pitch it ? I don’t want it to seem frivolous but equally I do think it would be a subject matter lots of execs would be keen to discuss .... maybe I could call it presentation skills