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?

31ruecambon I think those lists are so generic - I last wore a white shirt in school. I couldn’t do a capsule wardrobe, and wouldn’t want to, but if I did I would be thinking about (from my existing wardrobe) these as my absolute “basics” for autumn:

Leather skirt
Black wool culottes
Dark green wool culottes
Black barrel leg jeans
Navy barrel leg jeans
Black merino polo neck
Charcoal merino polo neck
Pale grey cashmere crew neck
Black merino crew neck
Black leather biker
Big parka with hood
Faux fur coat
Chelsea boots
DM boots
Black Stan Smiths
White Stan Smiths

I would then need “fun stuff” to stop myself dying of boredom.

Agree re camel coats! White shirts don't work very well for me, although I can almost get away with them if I slap a load of red lipstick on!

Mine for A/W casual would be something like:
black skinnies
blue straight leg jeans
grey straight leg jeans (I wear the straight ones rolled up with ankle boots)
black long sleeved t-shirts
black v neck and black turtle neck jumpers
grey v neck jumper
various pairs of ankle boots
biker jacket
parka
black mini skirt
black pleather pencil skirt
denim mini
parka
long bright wool coat
white Stan Smiths (although increasingly tempted to get black ones too)
a load of scarves
a couple of printed dresses

So very similar to Judy's.

I actually quite fancy a camel coat - i’m dark haired and light olive skinned, so while I would never choose camel as a jumper, top etc, it does suit me.

remus I am on my third pair of black Stan Smiths. I wear them all year round, even for work with culottes, and short skirts/opaque tights, or midi-dresses and bare legs in warmer weather. I have Continental 80s in black, and grey, too which are equally versatile, but the Stans are my absolute faves. I am a UK size 4 so can get kids’ trainers which is a big saving!

So many new brand names here! I have looked up this Stan Smith of which you speak... I am a 4 as well so this is a big boon with Adidas... is red considered acceptable or clown like?

Also I love the per una jacket mentioned up thread - I just don’t have much to match it with...

Also these trousers... are they ok? And could you wear them with the Stan smiths? I can’t do bare foot but have never managed to get a liner to work with a shoe. They always show and look daft. Could you do Stan Smith and a sock?

I think the trousers should work with white or black Stan Smiths. Must admit I don't personally like the red trainers as much - not sure if it's the pic but they look a bit like toddler shoes.

I'm a four too. Makes a huge difference in the price of trainers!

Another vote to say that 'a crisp white shirt' does not belong on any woman's capsule. And I suit white.

Mine consist of a shit ton of navy.
navy brogues
navy loafers
navy ankle boots
white leather Vejas (I also have Stan Smiths but wanted to mix things up a bit on this list, my Vejas are completely white, my Stan Smiths have the traditional green detailing)
slim fit ankle skimmers (navy, grey, black)
navy wide legged cords
mom jeans (blue, grey, black)
Navy wool mini (I don't have one but I didn't buy one in Arket last year that I regret not purchasing) or possibly a midi.
Several navy dresses (not body con, more loose and drapey) worn with contrasting leather belts
Several silk blouses in strong colours (blue, red, green). worn tucked into trousers and skirts. Seen a couple of green ones I fancy this season
Several fine knit jumpers, boat neck or deep V neck (blue, red, green)
Couple of slouchy V neck cashmere jumpers (grey, navy, stripy)
v neck tshirts to wear under jumpers
Snazzy socks and opaque tights

That stuff Id want!

I feel like my list is so weedy compared to yours, count, I really went for “basics”! How are your Vejas comfort-wise? I bought some and find them crippling.

lozster I don’t like coloured trainers, beyond my gold Nikes which I love, but that’s just a personal thing. I wear those trainer sock things for a bare ankle, then otherwise whatmjght be described as a “jazzy” sock (mainly glittery) or fishnet/crochet tights or knee-highs.

Fishnet tights/knee highs here too. I'm struggling to find any at the moment though - any body seen any?

I got a load off ASOS this time last year, remus. I think the brands were Gipsy and Jonathan-something-beginning-with-A.

Thank you. Never ordered from ASOS but will have a look immediately!

-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!

Remus!!!!!!

lol - I know. She was mortified!

In defense of crisp white shirts, they look amazing on me :) (You can also get them in other colours, you know :) )