I need to go from ageing indie kid to chief executive

[KickBishopBrennanUpTheArse]

Major promotion at work and I really need to smarten up. I've been working in a client facing role in a welfare charity so jeans and trainers or occasionally black trousers and boots with various tunic tops or jumpers.

I need to smarten up. Not pinstripe and briefcase but definitely no more jeans. I'd like to retain a bit of the inner indie kid though.

I'm size 12 top / size 14 bottom and I really struggle to get dresses to fit.

Black/grey tailored trousers, simple tops (multiple colours in the same style), tailored jackets you can mix and match and then go funky on the shoes - thin heeled boots or high heels in standout colours or designs, really unusual. Also go for a more unusual looking handbag and laptop bag. Not black.

Peg shaped trousers with shirts and dr martens boots or brogues?
Ally capellino have lovely (but pricey) laptop bags.
Congrats.

Congratulations on your promotion.

Hate to disagree but black trousers with colourful tops and/or jackets are not necessarily the stuff of a charity chief executive. They sound mid-level corporate to me.

Have you seen what other people at the level you've been promoted to wear?

How old are you and have you seen anyone on film or TV with the sort of style that appeals to you?

Blouses! I have recently bought this and wore it to work tucked in to black trousers with heeled boots. www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/tops/white-animal-print-long-sleeve-shirt/p/644107819?comp=Browse (it looks nicer in real life). A blazer would definitely go with it if you needed to smarten it up.

I should have congratulated you too - well done, and don't worry too much about it. And don't worry about the dresses thing. I was at Euston and Kings Cross stations the other day, so an area where there are lots of charities, and walked quite a long way from each station to the Tube and only saw about 6 women wearing skirts or dresses, all others (must have been 300+) were wearing trousers. (I counted because I was wearing a skirt and realised I was definitely in the minority)

I'm 45. Current CEO is 20+ years older than me and a very different body shape but mainly wears dresses or skirts and tops.

Another CEO we work with is my age but tiny and wears dresses, slacks type trousers etc.

Not sure whose style I like. Part of the issue is I've gained a stone since April last year due to changing medication and I'm not sure how to dress my new shape.

I like the idea of stylish shoes and bags though. I can buy shoes all day long!

I’m a senior nurse but community based so no uniform, took me a while to find “my style” while still being smart-ish.

I wear DMs most days in the winter. Sometimes with smart grey/black skinny jeans with a smart jumper, tunic or shirt. I have a black denim pinafore dress that works quite well with a range of tops/shirts. I have a couple of smarter dresses if I have to go to important meetings.

Oh & my hair is a not necessarily conventional colour which also helps me feel like “me”

I'm smart-ish for work but don't like to look too corporate (which wouldn't be appropriate for my job) I wear skinny trousers with smart-ish jumpers/silk tops for example, or dresses with tights in winter. Nearly always wear my doc martens which make me a feel a bit more "me" (they are patent leather ones so I feel they look a bit more "polished" )

Thanks zebra. My hair is much more conventional these days but I wouldn't mind mixing it up a bit.

I've tended to shop at Joe Brown's, mantaray etc and it all feels a bit too casual. Any suggestions of where to look?

I've just been looking at some Art boots. What do you think of these instead of docs?

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07P3LJYGM/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Quite a senior role I wear dms occasionally with interesting skirts in bright colours and black tops. It took me a while to find my style. I am odd sizes top and bottom. Black trousers and nice black shirts or black patterned shirts. I have black or brown healed ankle boots and find brown/tan with black works well for me. I have a denim skirt I occasionally wear but stopped wearing jeans with my last promotion.

Funky jewellery helps me feel like me. Very much an aging indie kid too.

Congratulations on the promotion! Are you sure you need to smarten up though? There’s often the advice ‘dress for the job you want’ but you already got it wearing exactly what you like! If it’s a confidence thing, why not but more expensive versions of the stuff that’s ‘you’; smarter skinny/indie jeans, band tee and fitted jacket. Vivienne westwood anglomania also has the smart but still punk look. FWIW, love the indie kid look. I’m early 40s, senior role, have pink hair and wear jeans and trainers pretty much every day. If anything, it’s helped me feel more, not less, confident.

H&M usually have knee length dresses in a range of patterns which look good with black tights and brogue type shows. They come in a variety of patterns and are not expensive.

SMT in charity here. I wear maxi dresses with trainers in summer and boots in winter. Black jeans boots and nice blouses. Wide leg trousers with trainers and either a really good white tshirt in summer or nice blouses

My staples are

Wide legged trousers, draped material with good white trainers

Dark black skinnies with nice blouses, belt, nice flat boots

LOXO dresses with trainers or flat suede knee length boots

Summer I have a couple of smart jumpsuits with white trainers

I always have my hair and nails done, a nice handbag and a decent jacket - in spring a leather biker with plain cashmere scarf If cooler

Winter a teddy coat with scarf

I think I look trendy but senior professional. Business dress just doesn’t cut it. I’m a step up from my team who tend to be very jeans / dungarees etc but not intimidating. The 20 somethings compliment me a lot on my clothe so hope I’m doing something right!

You definitely don’t want to do the smartish trouser, heeled boot and jacket thing in a welfare charity. It’s more proper smart casual I would say

Nice boots. Go scandi - modern without mutton, the sharp lines and simplicity are ideal for work.

CEOs need their clothes to work hard; the last thing you need is the awf'y-intr'stin-individual-look. If you do dress well, you'll stand out way more, as it happens. And make more money.

I'd go for a coloured light coat that you can sling over black for instant snap, an expensive large bag and those boots. Burn anything embroidered or 90s ethnic. Remove one piece of jewellery before a big meeting.

If I was chief exec material and had a suitable salary I would shop at Dai daiwear.com/pages/lookbook-5
Mainly because they aim at smart but wearable/active but for the office.

I've been a charity executive. I do wear a lot of jersey dresses, but also skirts and occasionally trousers. I shop in White Stuff (their more graphic prints or plain things than anything too flowery or fussy), Seasalt, Boden, Hush, Thought, with occasional things from Primark (particularly jersey tops) and H&M. I've also often worn a smart denim skirt or skinnies and a nice blouse/top. Usually wear some sort of silver jewellery and I have an Orla Kiely laptop bag. I have a couple of smarter dresses for meeting Govt/other more formal settings.

Toast comes to mind. Good sale at the moment.

I have to admit I’m a joe brown fan and often use their coats, boots and bags with my workwear and I always get compliments and it just feels like I’m not trying too hard. I would feel uncomfortable switching my style completely. They do some pieces that aren’t too out of place in the boardroom. These were my last buy, I love them

www.joebrowns.co.uk/in-the-mix-leather-ankle-boots-ka048#colour=820

I have a manager level job in a creative environment. I recommend you try M&S personal shopper service to give you a few ideas. Many of their clothes I wouldn't be seen dead in but others are great if you are trying to achieve a more sophisticated look.

Not black trousers and tops! That look is so dated. Not jackets either.

I wear dresses most days. These days mostly midi ones with boots or shoes (both heeled) or sometimes just trainers if I'm in the office all day. Sometime skirts (mini or midi, (never knee or pencil because they are too corporate I think). Sometimes jeans but always with high heels and fitted tops or silk blouses. Make up and lippy

My dresses are from a variety of places: Whistles, zara, maje, sandro, baukjen, ganni, sessun etc. I rarely buy from M&S or boden because it looks very frumpy on me (ditto jigsaw) but I know people who can wear that.

Try cos too - lots of charity people seem to wear cos. I think toast is too droopy and casual for the role really.

Uniqlo
Banana republic and baukjen in the sale

Congrats OP, exciting times! I would strongly recommend you look into hiring a good personal stylist to help you build a wardrobe, that you can be confident is in the right styles and colours. It'll be a worthwhile investment.