After 15 years of home working I'm looking for another job and need a complete refit. Where do I start?

[Silverstreaks]

I've been working for our family business for 15 years. Mostly home based with the occasional visit to site, so all very casual.

The last time I worked in an office environment it was corporate, everyone was in suits.

What should I look for? I'm 5'9, a 14-16 and I've turned into an hourglass.

I knew the rules of suit dressing and now I feel at a loss.

I don't think you can go wrong with dresses e.g.

www.johnlewis.com/baukjen-emory-textured-shirt-dress-washed-black/p5548617?s_dressipi=true

Oh, you're so lucky - I wish I were 5'9!

Go straight to Arket - most of their clothes are too lengthy for me, so you might as well enjoy them. (Always highly recommended for contemporary work clothes.)

It can vary quite a bit depending what the culture of your new workplace is like.
I think dresses are a good idea though, quite easy to dress up or down.

@savvy7 I'll have a look at Baukjen, I thought they were all clingy.
Arket looks great @MayIDestroyYou do you know of similar?
You're right @Ruby it will depend on the culture, it would be nice to think they've loosened up.

I'm a similar size/build, bit taller, and dresses like the one savvy7 posted are my staple.

They can be worn all year round, with a layer underneath, tights and boots in winter, casually with sandals/smart trainers, more professional with leather brogues or pointy flats.

I have a dozen in non-iron fabrics and dressing for work is an absolute breeze.

Similar to Arket? Well, they're under the same company umbrella as Cos and - I've forgotten momentarily but possibly either & Other Stories or H&M. The first two are worth a look, at different price points. I have nothing against H&M but the stock always seems a bit random to me - not somewhere you can rely on for quality. & Other Stories has lovely styling but some things are perhaps a little limp and timid in the flesh. Depends if you're happy with having to re-buy often.

Toast stock is not at all corporate - but, if you can avoid the 'Made in China' items, the clothes are generally good quality and mix nicely with other things. (If you're budgeting, wait for their sales.)

If you enjoy browsing with attention and patience then Matches Fashion is an excellent bet. Their sales enable a designer wardrobe at (sadly extinct) High St prices.

I suggest you complete the personal style edit feature on John Lewis which then suggests outfits - work, casual etc for you. The Baujken dress was suggested in my work edit.

It does give you some good ideas and their range of brands is pretty broad.

What's your industry?

@ShrikeAttack I was contracting in Project Management within Transport/IT mostly for the big firms in London. I'll probably temp/contract in whatever I can get until I've built my confidence up.

Can we talk about trousers? There seem to be ankle grazers, wide crops, very long wide legged and elasticated waists which I'm finding hard to believe in smart trousers. I'd happily wear a wide crop but are they really work suitable?

I've got a pair of wide cropped trousers for summer, to be worn with a sleeveless tucked in blouse and wedge sandals.
I would say that would be fine for most offices

Yes the wide cropped trousers are work/office appropriate. I wear mine with a tucked in silk top/blouse and smart shoes. If you can wear a heel (not necessarily very high) I think this gives a nice look with the wide crops.

Tailoring is still around but softer - boyfriend blazers for example. Palones have a couple of softly tailored suits and oversized macs. I would pair them with loafers or a v cut ballet flat ( because I commute). Cos are really good for modernist shoes but M&S have done some fashionable looks I like. I haven’t seen anyone really wearing heels since I’ve been back in the office. Arket would be my first port of call generally and they are part of the H&M group along with & Other Stories and Cos. Cos can be tricky sometimes with unusual cuts and a wide fit at the waist which I love but wouldn’t necessarily make the most of your hourglass shape. They do have good trousers and always a brilliant white shirt somewhere but you might prefer to try on rather than order online.

@Silverstreaks, Perfect! I'm a project manager in IT. It's our company and slightly different area, it's generally very casual. I'm naturally a very smart person and am usually the sharpest person in the room.

It's a bit anything goes really. Wear what looks good, you're tall and mid-sized so will look powerful anyway which is best in a bloke-heavy environment. I'd say a good and shapely shirt, and trousers that suit your shape

I am a dress person so I have a couple of expensive blazers that basically dress up any dress I am wearing if needed. I also have some wide leg and cigarette trousers that I wear with quite pouffy tops at the moment.

I’m senior management and have to dress fairly smart
Dresses work best for me with either a soft jacket or an edge to edge cardigan
As it’s getting warmer I’m mainly wearing linen or cotton mix shift dresses at the moment with pointed flats
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124743209559
I have this one for example