Power dressing/dressing to look older than I look

[Fairycakes86]

I will be starting a new job in the summer, and it is quite a senior role within the department. I look quite young even though I'm in my mid thirties, but before this I was in 'training' for many years so it didn't bother me that much. The office culture isn't overly formal, so I don't want to wear full suits or anything. Does anyone have any tips for dressing to project authority and where is best to shop? Normally (well pre pandemic) I shopped at oasis, warehouse, Zara etc but now thinking if I should get pieces from more expensive places. I'm thinking of clothing that is more timeless in style and will last many years.

Darker clothes especially black and navy are synonomous with authority...which is why the police and security guards wear it.

Avoid pastels and brighter colours unless they are just as a relieving touch - for example your earrings.

You don't have to go full, formal power suit but wear muted colours...higher necklines and tailored jackets/trousers/skirts.

If you're smallish, don't choose anything floaty at all. Joseph has some beautiful things.

Wear your hair in a bun if it's long.

Yes and if it's not long, have it cut in a sharp style. Not middling...not loose about your shoulders. Either long and up or short as in blunt bob or short styled hair.

We have a relaxed dress code -basically no denim/ strappy tops etc. Our top boss always looks immaculate jacket/ jersey dress/ shoes always navy blue with the odd change eg pink jacket or muted pattern- I think it's the jacket that makes the difference.

I like flat loafers, polished make up tinted lip balm/ blow dry and I pin the front back. Skirts /dresses/trousers in muted colour pallets. I prefer a black base to work on. Plains better than patterned. Simpler leather belt. Same Gold jewellery rather than fashion. Decent (doesn't have to b have to be high end designer) leather work bag and handbag. I would still shop in those places (TK maxx is my favourite) until I found a style I was happy with. Jigsaw/whistles/Reiss/cos etc or m and s are good and better price point.

Looking similar ish each day is a good idea.

I used to look young too and it's annoying when you are nearer 40 and people think you are still 20 something (bad news: age caught up with me between 38 and 40)

A friend of mine had to do this for a corporate job where she was presenting to a lot of older clients and stakeholders (going back 10 years when we were younger!).
She decided to dress in outfits which were more classic and a touch conservative, so I think you are along the right track.
She generally wore plain coloured dresses, or blouses with tailored trousers or sometimes jeans in the office as the industry was quite relaxed. She chose shoes like loafers or court shoes, and often wore a blazer as a previous poster mentioned.
She avoided strong colours and patterns, and stuck to a palate of things like navy, cream and maybe the odd pastel colour.

She also chose to wear minimal or slightly old fashioned jewellery on days she was presenting. For example a little string of pearls, or pearl earrings. It sounds a bit odd but it really worked.

Thanks for all your comments and ideas so far! I think I’m going to search for mostly muted colours and classic. Blazers sound like a good idea.

I’ve had a further look online, and seen that some advise wearing statement, bold jewellery to seem older, and dainty jewellery reminds people of younger women. That’s really not my style, but something I am willing to try, especially if I’m going for conservative colours with clothes. What do you all think, and do you have any suggestions for statement jewellery?

@Fluffyandsilly a string of pearls is a good suggestion. Thanks!

Dark or muted clothes, roll necks and tailored trousers, oversized white button down shirts under a structured blazer with statement necklace or earrings.
If you search “work wardrobe staples” or “classic wardrobe staples” or something similar on YouTube you’ll find loads of videos using the spring looks from Zara, H&M etc

I try not to judge other women but I will admit that I would have more confidence in someone who looked well put together but comfortable in modern styles than someone who had a random mix of colours, styles, random footwear or fashions from a decade ago.
It just makes me feel they’ve got their shit together a bit more I guess. I know it’s not necessarily true but im being honest. Modern and trendy but appropriately styled.

Definitely check out some popular styling videos on YouTube!

Some helpful advice here but don't you think it's a bit depressing that to get taken seriously we have to put our hair in a bun and wear high necked navy and cream clothes... esp if you're in your thirties.

It’s also naff advice that’s utterly dated!

Of course you don’t want to wear aging boring clothes. Your training and being good at your job is enough without the advice to look like a police officer!

So: try trouser suits with decent length jackets. Pink is very in. Mint green. Arket have a decent selection. &OtherStories is a good source too. You need a decent short of high quality t short. Then finish with a necklace. Fine quality is ok. Doesn’t have to be like Prue Leith’s spirals and gob stoppers.

Wear pleated swishy skirts with a knitted top or a plain shirt. Add a belt. Wear tapered trousers with heels. Navy can look smart but you need a very decent shirt. Wear heels with tapered trousers.

Dresses at Jigsaw are good. Avoid linen and body con. Midi are perfect with heels. Of lower chunky heeled courts. Don’t avoid colour. Find your style and don’t be afraid to branch out. I find The Telegraph has great fashion ideas for working women. Please avoid black and most greys - unless it’s cashmere!

Decent short or high quality t short.

In terms of where to shop, Hobbs, The Fold, Winser London have the kinds of clothes you are after.

I'm a little older now but spent the last few years being young looking in a senior role where 90% of my peers are men. Image and how you look absolutely makes a difference for how you are perceived and I feel like I'm dressing for a part, focusing on power dressing. Not sure how the dress code will change posr covid but I'll err on the side of formal rather than casual.

Well kept hair and a good bag works for me too.

Hobbs and John Lewis are my ‘go to’ for work gear. I like a well fitted dress with a blazer over the top.

Agree with the pp who said that, subconsciously, and despite my better judgement, I immediately pay attention to people at work who look putting together and who project confidence. Obviously, appearances can be deceiving, but I do think it helps if it's your first role out of training if you can look and feel confident. So whatever does that for you . Doesn't have to be anything massively out of your zone in terms of style though. I think massive statement pieces of jewellery to make me look 'older' as you mentioned, (I'm a similar age to you), would be a mistake. You aren't going to feel confident if you're in fancy dress! You'll feel silly and like an imposter. So be yourself, as corny as that sounds, but as confident and put together as you can manage without putting on a 'costume', would be my advice.

Personally I think big statement pieces of jewellery look a bit naff and dated, but interested to see examples of what other people like.
OP I have been in your position and I would always go for 1) something with a collar 2) plain colours never print or pattern. You can wear all the bright colours you like, I love magenta and cobalt but I dislike patterns and prints especially at work.

Ah, I have had this exact problem. First, I was in customer service and would have the "Can I speak to the manager?", "I am the manager" "You can't be, you're too young" ping pong game. Then I got promoted to a team manager role in my current job and was younger than the rest of the team. I have EDS and one of the symptoms can be looking young, so this is not a stealth boast btw! I would swap looking older to not have EDS

I spent a lot of time wearing basics, blazers, etc. trying to dress to look older. I now look back and think it just made me look like a frumpy young person trying to look older

I would instead say aim to have a real style and buy good fabrics (ebay, Vinted for budget) so that you look put together. Looking funky and that you're really at home with your own style will project confidence. Looking put together will look like you have ^%$ together.

By trying to look older, I just emphasized my (relatively) younger age and made myself look insecure.

@printed Percy I think this is all great advice abs sounds stylish and professional.

OP I would mostly avoid the bold jewellery.

My favourite work outfit was french connection peg trousers/ Paul Costello tie neck blouse/ and a blue velvet jacket.

Bun means young these days doesn't it? It's in fashion for young women.

Agree with PP: bollocks to the high necks and dark colours.

It’s all about the jackets, and tailoring. You can wear good, well tailored trousers with a softer top and there’s no reason why you can’t wear colour in shoes etc.

I have the same issue at work, I'm about 10 years younger than the younger people at my level, and 20+ years younger than most others at the same point.

I have given up thinking I can look older and instead I focus on looking smart. In my office most women are aiming 1 grade above jeans level of smart (men are in chinos and a jumper or a suit with no tie - so average smarter than the women). I consistently wear a jacket, I make sure my outfits go - there are plenty of bold colours and florals/patterns but the outfits are always "put together" so things go. I usually go for heels as well but that's a personal preference really because I am short and it makes me feel like I've got things under control.

Jackets don’t suit everyone though and you can get too hot. Women don’t have to look like men and wear suits. There is nothing wrong with a decent dress on its own. Or a shirt with trousers. There are well cut blouses which are perfect with trousers and plenty of shops offer beautiful blouses which are patterned. There is no need to stick to plain. Women don’t have to look like men to be taken seriously!