Work wardrobe - client visits - over 50

[SarfE4sticated]

Hi there!
I have just got a new job which will be a bit of a stretch for my current work wardrobe. I currently wear WhiteStuff/Boden or Cos tunics/dresses and flat shoes, or 3 quarter trousers with stripey breton tops. I am a size 12 with no 'obvious' body flaws, but don't like to have bare skin on show.
My new job will require me to go on client visits and give regular coaching sessions to a group of trainees. I have had coaching sessions before and most of the women have worn sheath dresses and heels. It's not a look I love to be honest as I don't like the arms and legs on show thing, but what are my options?
I'll be working in publishing, so not high corporate. I like the "stylish art teacher" vibe and with unlimited funds would buy all of my clothes from Margaret Howell.
Can you recommend any places I could look for inspiration?
thanks in advance :D

If you like Boden already, have a look at their work wear. They have some nice dresses with sleeves and jackets. Lots of trousers and blouses/tops too.

And congrats in the new job!!

Once beyond children's sizing, clothes do not come by age. Use a mirror, not a calendar to decide what you want to wear.

Try www.winserlondon.com/shop/the-edits/work-modern (I think Debenhams stock them if you want to see them in a shop)

Always worth every checking Uniqlo and Cos, and look at the wrap dresses in Boden (especially for autumn).

www.poetryfashion.co.uk/category-POEDS/dresses-skirts.htm can be a bit hit and miss - anything you like in the link?

Also, what about this sort of shape?

www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/dresses-442/editor-shirt-dress-8941427

Me & Em is also worth a look.

Thanks everyone, some nice pieces here, I really like that TopShop dress, shame about the bare back. Not sure about the Winser clothes though, they look sensible but I'd like a bit of 'je ne sais quoi'. Saw some nice long sleeve tops in Cos with a zip up the back, so maybe I'll go with trousers and tops?
I like Me+Em, but not 100% sold on their current range.
I might need to have a look around John Lewis and see what floats my boat.
Had a quick look on LK bennet and think that this would certainly turn some heads!

Thanks everyone

Crikey this is beautiful!

Paul Smith

Gosh that’s stunning!

How about Arket? Stylish but cheap.

www.arket.com/en_gbp/women/dresses/product.a-line-satin-dress-black.0595385001.html

Forgot about the art teacher vibe. How’s this?

www.arket.com/en_gbp/women/dresses/product.floral-kaftan-dress-orange.0744474002.html

I will definitely look at Arket it’s a great shop. Their kids wear is gorgeous!

Agnes B has some nice dresses too, but would need to see them in the flesh really.

The Paul Smith is nice but it's polyester.

I don't care Joh66 we love each other unconditionally.

(It's slightly over my budget and not exactly practical for travelling to clients and then presenting, but it caught my eye.)

I think I need to wait for the sales to be over and then see what's what. I've got some good tips from you all though so thanks.

Buy the Paul Smith dress

Oh dear, I've just found this which may be more practical than the dress...

better?

I love the Paul Smith dress

There is a whole range of clothes in that print Marmelised and I want to buy all of them - well not the cowl necked dress or the peplum top, but wonder that it might be a little OTT [laugh]

I am sorely tempted by the dress or skirt and scarf. I'll sleep on it and see what my conscience says!

The Paul Smith dress is amazing, I'm tempted too!

I’m a huge Margaret Howell fan and the nearest I’ve found on the high street in terms of general vibe and quality is Toast.

The Paul Smith dress is lovely. The skirt doesn’t have the same wow factor but I agree it’s more practical. So a trade off.

BUY IT!

Buy the Paul Smith if you can afford it. You will get so much wear out of it and you won't be going to the same place everyday so it will be brilliant. Do check out Boden work wear but Arket and Cos have fab stuff

The dress has sold out online...

so I will go to Floral Street after work tomorrow and see if I can try it on, or at least look at the skirt.

Thanks everyone!

Goddammit. I feel your pain. I shared my love for a Margaret Howell shirt on another thread. I couldn't afford it but guess I was kind of thinking that if I saved up really, really hard, I might get lucky in the sale. A couple of weeks later and it had gone. Of course it might have happened anyway....

Run all the way there tomorrow and good luck.

I don't mind if someone has bought it really Floisme, realistically I would need to save for the dress too, so it's all a fantasy really. What shirt was it?
If someone on here has bought it, please let me know what it's like, and maybe post a pic?
I am going to the shop tomorrow to have a little looksee though

this one I love the colour. I don't care if a random one gets returned and someone grabs it because, if that's the final reduction, then I'm out of the running anyway.

I've got one of her linen shirts and I've just accidentally washed it on 75% and it's fine.