What do people wear in consulting now?

[schmalex]

I have a second interview for a new job after being at home with my children for 9 years! It's at a big investment consultancy and, if I get it, I will be client facing. I used to do this years ago but feel completely out of touch with what to wear now.
Any advice? I am a relatively young looking 41, 5'5" and an 8-10. Dark autumn colouring. I'd rather buy a few nice pieces that will last than lots of cheap stuff.
Help me please!

I like German clothing brands, like Annette Gortz, for this. The shapes accommodate bodies and flatter them. The styles are a bit edgy and have zero hanger appeal, but very wearable once your try them on. Fabrics are always nice, mostly Italian, and usually machine wash. Colours are desperately corporate is the downside. Black, navy, grey, stone and white so great for mixing and matching. But not inexpensive as all made in Europe.

Think Hugo Boss, but not as an afterthought tacked on for women. It's a bit less minimal than Jil Sander, and quite a bit less pricey. I am a lot older than you, but used to work in a similar field. Now I wear jeans, having retired, but other than Levi and Hiut, my go to brands for trousers are Robell and Gortz. I hope this is helpful.

Thanks @XingMing, I have never heard of this brand so will take a look!

I would aim for "streamlined" and "polished" - nothing overly patterned or frilly - you don't want a client focussing on what you are wearing more than what you are saying

The Fold have some good investment type dresses and separates you could build on ( or use an inspo)

I second The Fold, I also have a lot of basic pieces like trousers and shirts from Piazza Sempione (Fenwicks stock it) which are real wardrobe workhorses. Libby London is also good for dresses and Cefinn for separates.

Hugo Boss is nice but very tailored - I prefer a slightly less structured look. I also have few pieces from Me+Em, but they can be a bit too unstructured for work.

Silk blouses, high waisted trousers or crop trousers, and fitted blazer for client meetings. For shoes I wear low heel pumps (think Feragammo Vara style) or leather oxfords. Smart laptop backpack like Knomo or a leather option.

Sézane, Reiss, Hobbs, and I think the trousers from Uniqlo and Gap are great quality.

I work at an asset manager (so meet with investment consultants a lot) and they are still fairly dressy. The default City outfit these days is slim trousers, silky top, smart flat shoes, nice jewels & nice bag.

Some ladies do wear dresses from the Fold, I don’t see jackets worn too much.

The Fold, Libby London, Reiss, Jigsaw, the less garish bits of Hobbs, and some M&S are my staples.

I also work with a lot of investment consultants and I third (fourth?) The Fold and Sezane.

Ah brilliant, I love Sézane so I have lots of that already!
Thank you all for the advice.