Smart casual work wear late 40’s

[lozster]

Can any kind souls spare a moment to direct me to some smart casual work wear for a late 40’s 12-14 5 foot four woman? I’m
feeling old and dated with no clue what is smart anymore. I don’t get out to shop much as I also have a young child. My work place is kind of similar to academia but with strong business connections. There are lots of young people in very casual clothes but I feel in need of a smarter choice to boost my confidence. Where I work is in suburbia as well so I don’t have too many other smart women to look to for inspiration . I like Boden but not the prices. I have some bits from their sales but I make a poor job of pulling outfits together. Any tips?

Jersey dresses?

Slim black trousers with a smart t-shirt and a jersey jacket or cardigan?

Shortish skirt with opaque tights and ankle boots?

Midi dress and ankle boots?

I’m a lecturer so in a similar environment. I teach a creative subject, so this is possibly not useful, but just now I wear:

Culottes or wide-leg cropped trousers, fitted top (often Breton stripes)
Midi-length dresses

Once it gets colder I will switch the Breton tops for fitted, fine-knit jumpers, in crew or polo necks. I wear a lot of shortish a-lime skirts with them too, with 100 denier opaque tights.

Footwear-wise I wear brogues, leather trainers (black Stan Smiths or Continental 80s), Chelsea boots, or biker boots.

I’m mid-40s, size 10, 5ft 6.

Hi lozter - are you 'evenly balanced' or more pear/apple shaped?

Midi dress and boots is a great idea - with a mid heel if you are comfortable in those. Block heel is still ok (I think!) so no need for spindly kitten heels.

I'd think about an ' oversized' checked blazer instead of a cardigan over skinny dark trousers/jeans, again with mid-heels - but not all blazers work on non-tall people. Try M&S or &Other Stories or Mango.

And have a think about what colours suit you and work well together. That will make you look younger and current! Plus a good bit of jewellery - accessorize or Oliver bonas is fine. Maybe hoop earrings (silver or gold).
And a good blusher! Ask at SpaceNK for them to suggest a nice one - go when it is quiet if you can (so not at lunchtime or after work).

And - you are not old at all! Some of my best friends look far better in their late 40s than they did in their 30s. Really!

Good luck! Sounds like a great job, BTW.

Place marking. Late forties. I like Jigsaw but it's expensive so I'm always scouting other ranges too.

I like phase eight and mint velvet. Not cheap exactly but mixed in with other items, they work well.

Oh, I maybe should have said, I am quite hippy with a small waist/boobs. Shops I like are Cos, Other Stories, Topshop, Whistles, sometimes Zara and H&M. I wear “statement” jewellery (mainly acrylic, not big diamonds) and always red lipstick.

I'm a wee bit shorter than you (nearly) 5ft2 and resent having to spend more on tailoring clothes to fit. I find for workwear, UNIQLO does great pants and dresses, and they hem the pants (and jeans) for free. They have different ranges, and admittedly, some of them go a bit off piste, but the UNIQLO U range is usually pretty interesting. (It's a smarter, "designer" range.) I find their clothing washes really well and keeps it's shape, and you can then pair it with better, more statement items if you want. (Also because their clothing is aimed at a Japanese market, I find the waistbands are in the right spot for me - not up to my armpits.). Their EZ ankle pants are a bit Audrey Hepburnesque if paired with the right things and are comfy AF!!! (I'm 47, btw!)

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie some good suggestions there. I have never worn an ankle boot with a dress or skirt. I am sooo out of it I must try it as I crave sensible footwear I can walk in and suit a shorter skirt.

@Judystilldreamsofhorses it sure if this is ok? I just can’t get on with bare feet and shoes... leather trainers sound like a good idea to try.

@bleughhh sadly I have a mum tum which is bad enough at the moment to stop me wearing t-shirts. I want to slim that down but for various personal reasons life is just too hectic for that to be a quick or reliable option! I have broad shoulders but small boobs and bum and slim legs. Sadly all the weight is on my stomach. I don’t wear any make up. Personal choice plus irritable skin. I do like a nice eyeliner but even that causes irritation. I think I have always been able to get away without makeup due to looks and work circumstances/expectations.

@31 I like jigsaw too- but balk at the prices.! I’m not adverse to eBay though...

@Judystilldreamsofhorses sorry, bad typo there. I meant to say I have one pair of next culottes. I wear tights with them and brogues. Is this ok? I just can’t bare bear feet!

@justilou1 darn it, no Uniqlo near me anymore. I used to get a fair amount of stuff there. I will have to take a chance on-line as I can see some potential items and they are not vastly expensive

That's why I love them. I'm in Australia and our postage is exhorbitant. UK postage is much kinder. At least UNIQLO are pretty true to their sizing and have their sizing guides as well. Might be worth measuring first.

I used to find that even max factor swedish formula irritated my skin. However, colour me beautiful eye makeup has never irritated. It could be an idea to see if any of their consultants near you have any special deals on a colour/style consultation. Generally, for a colour consultation they do a make up, too any you could always buy their products later.

I had mine done when I was 30, again in my 40s and at 50, I've gone from all the spicy autumnal colours suiting me to being able to wear navy and black as my hair has darkened, become alarming white and my skin has gone paler or to be more realistic, faded.

lozster I wear lacy/crochet/fishnet tights, or knee-high socks, under culottes if it’s cold. Right now I wear those socklet things and bare ankles. I think there needs to be a distinct gap or they look daft (on me) and likewise with midi dresses - if I wear a midi dress with tights they are generally coloured opaques, or nude fishnets. The midi/blacktights/ankle boots thing looks great on other people but crap on me.

I’m a lecturer too so similar environment. I have developed a ‘work uniform’ over the years. I’m Apple shaped and wear brogues (Red or Dead), slim fitting ‘cigarette pant’ style trousers, plain but colourful tops, and contrasting jackets from places like Hobbs but usually picked up in the sale or on EBay (e.g. yellow top with dark purple jacket, or coral top with teal jacket). I have a few good pieces of vintage or costume jewellery from local boutiques. It might not be to everyone’s taste, but it works quite well for me and I barely have to think about what to wear in the morning.

I would shop in the sales! Who buys at full price these days? Hobbs has excellent basics for a suit. Time your shopping and you’ll get a decent discount. They are well cut and stylish. You can do the same at Cos. I would also try Arket plus &OtherStories. Arket in particular should suit you. Cos T shirts are great and “work” quality.

Always look at how clothes are modelled on line by the stores. Put the same look together. (Only if you like it of course!) I find Geox do great leather trainers and again, buy in the sale.

Even M&S can be useful! Join Sparks and you should get 20% off every so often! Great for a cashmere pullover or cardigan and you won’t regret it. Their basic roll necks are also perfect for winter.

Another trend you might like is the heeled loafer. Comfortable and smart. M&S have some very well priced suede and leather loafers at the moment.

Always check the Boden clearance. They have 20% off full price right now but their clearance can be very rewarding!

Sounds like 'cigarette' trousers a lowish block heels would work with a looser silky top plus smart cardie/jacket (nothing with shoulder pads then!). I like Reiss for work trousers but am pear shaped. Kitri do interesting blouses. And definitely get some slightly trendy shoes - flat is fine too. Boden have some nice flat Mary Jane style. (Never thought I'd combine Boden with the word 'trendy' but they are nice...)

Thanks everyone. Some new brands for me to look at and I’ve made a couple of purchases online.

Nice choices! Really like the jumper in particular.

Oh, I bought a pair of those cords last year. Love them so much, they are so cozy. I bought some knee high socks (from sock shop of all places) to wear with them in the winter. Pop socks are also good when it's warmer, and knee high boots.

What about trying midi dresses too? Zara, New Look andOasis all have them.

Words I never thought I'd say but I just walked through the per una but in m&s and saw some good stuff! Navy ankle grazer trousers in thick cotton, some lovely red wool blend trousers, a greed tweed blazer and a couple of nice midi dresses. Genuinely surprised.

I have the mustard cords and wore them all winter! (Admittedly our winter is subtropical and only five minutes long and much more forgiving!). Meanwhile, I LOVE them. (Oh, and my daughter has the dark green ones. We have to put out a bolo to ensure that we don't look like one of "THOSE" mother-daughter combos.)

There are some good blogs/ books around on building a capsule wardrobe, maybe something like that would help (I know it helped me figure out what basics I needed to get in and that has made everything much easier).

I always found a decent blazer and heeled loafers/ ankleboots made everything else look a bit more professional without any extra effort.

Justilou -dd and I unwittingly became one of Those mother daughter combos last weekend. Met for lunch and both wearing black t-shirt, leopard print midi skirt and white trainers. Oops!

I hate capsule wardrobe staple suggestions!!
Always things that make me look ill. A white shirt!!??? Why is there always a white shirt on these lists. Im autumn and white is not flattering. White gets dirty and needs to be washed separately and ironed. So not easy at all!!
Also "a camel coat" even if you are really pale skinned but not blonde. Again, looks rubbish!!
I wish somebody would suggest acapsule wardrobe thst is kind of realistic. Not like a sloaney mum trying to look french.