Creative professional outfits?

[DandelionSprout]

Apparently I don’t look right and that will prevent me building rapport with clients and making sales. For work I would usually wear plain black trousers and ballet flats with a simple long sleeved top. I have mousy hair and don’t wear jewellery although I sometimes wear a hair slide. Makeup is usually very minimal, just a tinted moisturiser worth lip gloss and mascara. I wear big Perspex glasses which I thought were trendy but perhaps not?

I can't imagine Asda trousers fit particularly well?
No, but I didn’t buy them because they fitted or looked great. I bought them because they were cheap and I didn’t get paid a lot, and I needed something I could shove on for work and look tidy without thinking about it. Tbh I hated the job and was resentful about wasting money on clothes to wear to a job I hated. Nobody cared what I wore, I literally bought five identical pairs of cheap trousers and wore them every week.

@DandelionSprout

Also can you see what others in the company are wearing before the interview to get ideas? Not really. Due to current circumstances it’s either a Zoom interview or a very small socially distanced meeting with 1-2 people. Even in normal times I’m not sure how I’d gain access to the office before the interview?

Go onto the company social media pages, find the people who are tagged and go onto their pages,

But really, if you're not confident in your own personal style - please don't go for the colourful tops or anything too "fashion forward". You're likely to end up looking awkward if you don't feel comfortable to pull it off.

Base it around what you wear on days off. Well fitting jeans, a loose thin jumper/tshirt in black or white, a slight oversize black blazer or neutral coat & your DMs.

@DandelionSprout

How tall and what dress size are you? 5ft5, currently a size 14 but hoping to go back to a 10-12 when I lose the 30lb I gained during lockdown!

Do you have a budget for new clothes - just one outfit needed to start with
No specific budget. Currently unemployed so would only be buying half a dozen outfits to start. When I get a job I’ll need to have an idea what other outfits to buy.

Similar size (and age) to me then. I am a jeans hoodie person at home so can relate to that as well.

Do you wear dresses at all? I really like seasalt dresses. Easy to wear, often have pockets and can be styled more funky or less. And very flattering for less than perfect bodies!

But I am not stylish or creative so might not be a good suggestion.

OK, take something like this dress: www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.oversized-denim-shirt-dress-blue.0974534002.html

(I am aware that Cos online can be ...challenging).

So, you could wear:
loose
Belted
Chunky necklace
Jumper over top
Trainers
DM boots
Ankle boots
Stiletto boots

Etc, etc.

@DandelionSprout

I can't imagine Asda trousers fit particularly well? No, but I didn’t buy them because they fitted or looked great. I bought them because they were cheap and I didn’t get paid a lot, and I needed something I could shove on for work and look tidy without thinking about it. Tbh I hated the job and was resentful about wasting money on clothes to wear to a job I hated. Nobody cared what I wore, I literally bought five identical pairs of cheap trousers and wore them every week.

Ok, you need to stop thinking about clothes you wear for work as school uniform. Don't buy any clothes as a 'that'll do'. Only buy things that fit well and suit you, both stylistically and colour-wise. You know that William Morris saying about only having things in your home that you know are useful or beautiful - use that for how you dress too. Spark joy in your outfit. Be proud of your look.

I find dresses easier than separates - it's only one thing to think about.

I wear a lot of whistles dresses (eBay) with tights and ankle biker boots or vans/converse trainers.

Throw a blazer or biker jacket over the top

If you need Trousers - think something more fitted. Boden Richmond fit well and come in lots of colours. The slightly shorter lengths are more on trend.
Roman originals stretch trousers also get good reviews.

Wear with a fitted top or do a French tuck.

Avoid shiny fabrics and polyester.

I'd change your frames for a solid block colour - otherwise they look a bit NHS specs circa 1992 - black, navy or red for a statement

The 'What are we wearing today' thread on here has inspired me quite a bit though I really only lurk on it

Don't forget you are getting interviews in a competitive job market. This is doing really well.

You sound a bit negative about your clothes- not surprising if you hated your job.

Think about what you love in jnterior design and apply that to your clothes.

I agree with Bzzzzz - there's something about mindset here. You sound a bit resentful at being expected to dress the part, rather than seeing it as an opportunity to showcase your sense of style.

You're getting through the door which is a brilliant achievement, use your clothes and grooming to make that all important first impression a positive one. Ordinarily your sense of style shouldn't matter but in a design-led environment it definitely does so embrace it!

Zara also has some great print dresses at the moment

www.zara.com/uk/en/animal-print-dress-p02492056.html?v1=90806300

I think you need to go to a Cos shop or John Lewis for Kin if you can. I find both tricky in terms of sizing, best if you could try a number of items on. You could start with a pair of trousers and a couple of tops in your chosen colour (black/ navy/ white maybe) or a dress. Then add as you get your job. Seasalt is not suitable for your role. It can look very frumpy.

Just look on Cos and copy their stuff.

Looking ‘creative’ just means having a slightly modern or different twist. So your shirt in the 2nd picture could be replaced by

www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/shirts/product.relaxed-short-sleeve-shirt-white.0973769001.html

I would say a boxy architectural silhouette, with slightly different proportions.

Shoes are important, definitely not black patent heels. More clumpy maybe?

I don't know much about your specific sector, but I know a fair few museum curators and they tend to shop in places like Cos.

I'm also 40, a bit fat and pale so I feel like I can empathise! I have a job where I am quite senior and it involves me running large meetings conferences etc and I like to look / feel comfortable, professional and retain my own personal style.

I think the expectation for an interior designer is (rightly or wrongly) that their sense of style should carry through from interior design to clothing and "look". You need to switch from your previous "bland uniform" to a new uniform that works for an interior designer.

If I were you I would make it your top priority to sort out your hair- if you are mousy get highlight or lowlights and a decent cut. That will be the most transformational thing you can do and will have the biggest impact on zoom. Also consider trying a new lipstick - when I really want to make an impression I always pull out the red lippy to boost my confidence. Mac's lady danger is a fab orangey red that suits a lot of skin / hair tones.

For buying a new work wardrobe I would recommend you think about your preferred styling in terms of interiors and pull on that for inspiration- eg if you love minimalist monochrome schemes then echo that with good quality black trousers and white / cream blouses, or if you like maximalist then go for clashing prints and colours. I thought it was interesting when watching Interior Design Masters that by looking at most of the contestants clothing you could pick their preferred design aesthetic - I think this is what your interviewers are looking for / referring to.

If you give some hints on what your preferred design style is then we can give outfit ideas to link into that.

Does anyone have any photos of a middle aged 5'4" size 14 woman wearing cos? I am similar in age/ size to the op and I don't think they would look flattering on me.

OP, there are some good suggestions above. I think if you have a look through those different websites like Cos, Reiss etc and see what you like the look of. You can wear a really simple neutral outfit and make it extra glam by applying nice subtle make up, a pop of lipstick, styling your hair in soft waves, and styling it with a few bits of jewellery. A lovely blazer would be great as you can dress it up or down.

@MavisMonkey I disagree, I’m a designer and I only wear monochrome and neutral palettes yet my design style is very colourful and quirky.

You are the same height, size age etc as me.

I've given myself a bit of an overhaul recently - I was previously an Asda work trousers and tunic top person too.

I'm currently wearing a lot of girlfriend/ slim/ cropped/ tapered jeans and trousers with tucked in blouses (hides the tummy) with fashionable sleeves and chunky low heels.

I'm wearing nice patterned headbands etc

You sound a bit resentful at being expected to dress the part, rather than seeing it as an opportunity to showcase your sense of style
I don’t have a sense of style, that’s the issue. I’m not resentful, I just have no clue. I’ve always worn a “work uniform” of cheap black trousers and plain top, with weekend clothes chosen for comfort not style. I’ve never looked at clothes and thought what do I like, how do I combine these? Because nobody has ever cared what I wore, least of all me.

Looks wise I’m a bit like Kate Winslet. Curvy, soft features, pale with wavy mid brown hair. A bit bland really. I notice she dyes her hair blonde now and I wondered if that might be good for me too. It makes it tricky for me to dress because I naturally have a soft romantic look which isn’t me at all and doesn’t match the boxy trendy Cos type clothes I’d like to wear.

Do you wear dresses at all?
I’m not a big dress person. Because I’m not girly and also because I have scars from knee surgery that I prefer not to show. I’ll have a look at Cos and Kin etc and report back. But the stuff I like the look of is probably not what will suit my face and body.

I’m a lecturer in a creative subject. I’ve been WFH since last March but when I do go to actual work I wear variations on:

Wide-leg cropped trousers/culottes, with slim knitwear, or fitted tops (often striped)
Mini-ish a-lime skirts, again with fitted knitwear, and 100 denier opaque tights
Midi dresses
Straight leg black jeans (Levi’s 501 crops) with blouses tucked in

Footwear is often trainers (black Stan Smiths, Vejas, or Continental 80s), but can be chunky brogues, or DM monkey boots.

I like Cos for trousers, skirts often Whistles, knitwear Cos/Arket/Other Stories, dresses Zara, Topshop, Warehouse, blouses mainly Zara.

I always wear red lipstick, and my hair is (usually) cut every five weeks so it always looks sharp.

My take on it would be to figure out a “look” you like, then own it - I often buy the same thing in multiple colours if I like it. I’m quite hippy with a small waist so I always do this with trousers!

If you want to show a couple outfits/style you wear when you're not working (just off Pinterest or something), we could try to suggest how to translate that to a work wardrobe that still feels comfortable and "you"

I wouldn't go blonde, perhaps look at a really good cut and slightly darker colour - new but easier to maintain

Photo from Google - this is the sort of outfit I’m likely to wear at the weekend. Frumpy but comfy. It’s basically the same outfit I wore as a student in the 90s.

I've been reading interiors blogs all weekend, and the rather wonderfull Emily Henderson is kind enough to share her fashion favourites here. I'm sure you're familiar with her, but just in case, it's worth a good look round for inspiration.

You say frumpy OP, but a hoodie underneath a blazer is very fashionable (not that 'fashionable' should always be the measure of style). DMs are also cool and converse are passable - as long as they're clean and tidy. Those combined with a decent pair of ankle grazer trousers, a bold lipstick and your acetate glasses is really not a bad place to start! You also sound really pretty and attractive in an understated way, lots to work with!

I know someone who is a successful interior designer for wealthy people's homes (i.e. not corporate/restaurants). She wears understated but noted brands. E.g. designer glasses, coats, handbags, shoes etc and then simple but elegant clothes - white shirts, cashmere sweaters etc - that sort of thing.