Name changed and looking for some advice!
Some background:
I'm 37. Size 12 but sometimes a 10. 5ft 3 and a half.
Body shape is a bit of an apple but I call myself a prepubescent teen. Chubby cheeks with puppy fat and a round tummy but no boobs and small hips and bum. I was 1.5 stone lighter a few years ago so am lacking confidence.
I have a new job. I'm a family solicitor and will be working in a high street firm in quite a nice market town. I have been a family solicitor for years but this job involves setting up a family department from scratch with a view to becoming partner shortly. So I want to impress the two bosses with a view to investing in their business at some point.
Part of my issue is I just don't get the dress code and never feel confident in my clothes. I was at a regional firm before and it was pretty casual unless you saw clients. Even then men
and women didn't necessarily wear a jacket but some did and men would often wear a tie.
I will see clients practically daily and this will continue. We don't do legal aid work but the clients range from nervous youngish people on benefits whose family pay fees to older, more traditional confident clients who could be multi millionaires. My point is I want something that makes me approachable but business like without standing out too much from my colleagues.
My first question is if you were my client what would you expect me to wear?
Secondly, which shops are best.
Previously I was a little more casual. What I would wear before would be m and s elasticated mini skirt, flat Gabor loafers with gold bar, Zara or mango boucle jacket. I wouldn't always wear the jacket to client meetings.
I want to look more polished but not stand out. I do have confidence issues but am investing in my hair (nano keratin treatments), skin etc so I am feeling a bit better.
I don't earn huge amounts either. I'm earning over £50k and am a single mum living in the south east with ridiculous nursery fees. I have however had a nice little payout from the previous firm and think it's worth investing in a few good pieces.
The other issue is my usual style is stan smiths, veja, timberland boots, with dark loose jumpers (often stripy) and skinny black topshop/river Island jeans and gold Missoma type hoops.
I feel that style is very at odds with the style I should have at work which makes me feel uncomfortable. I bought some pieces from Hobbs the other day and although I could tell the quality was good I felt so frumpy and it aged me a lot so they are going straight back!
Sorry this is really long but any suggestions about what you would expect me to wear as a client and links to items/shops would be great!