New super senior job - need wardrobe refresh - advice please!

[NicolaMarlowsMerlin]

Been browsing online to no good effect this morning.

Am 10 days away from starting a new, super senior job. For the last 18 months I have been working (in the office) in a range of largely dresses, mix of M&S, MeandEm, Finery, Jaeger, couple of more upmarket ones but less often. Mostly a subdued set of colours and patterns, although I’m not averse to colour. And then a few times a month a pair of black trousers with a pussy-bow neck and a jacket.

New job has a very smart dress code. Senior men at my level are in shirts and ties and have suit jacket ready to go when required. Feel I might be better off in range of more block-colour dresses that can have a jacket or scarf over them, or more trouser suits. Pattern doesn’t seem to convey the same authority!

Am suffering from not-helped-by-covid lack of fitness so currently an 18 on the bottom, 16 on top. I’d rather settle back at a 16/14 but will obv take rest of the year to get back there, and I want to express authority from day 1.

Also got a shoe problem in that have lived in trainers/brogues through the pandemic. Brogues prob ok in new job, trainers def not! But I can’t teeter around in kitten heels any more so some suggestions on conveying-authority shoes with a big of a heel but not pointy also welcome.

Have looked this morning at M&S, SilkFred, Net-a-porter, John Lewis, and just been super uninspired. Have previously got on well with Cos but it all looks super frumpy atm. And have a couple of great items from Marlene Birger but similarly looks like it’s gone a bit more outre and not sure I can carry it off with my more matronly shape now!

Any suggestions much appreciated, budget is not massively constrained but equally not 1000s.

Similar her. When I am at my fighting weight I like The Fold, Hugo Boss, etc. But right now I have a lockdown expansion issue so have had to look for alternatives. Hobbs are fantastic, they go to size 20. I also like Winser, their miracle range hide a multiple of sins. LK Bennett go to an 18, but they seem to be more focussed on frothy silk stuff than their traditional stylish business dresses over the last couple of years.

Oh, and Hobbs for shoes too.

Google Amanda Murphy - HSBC UK’s commercial director. I think she’s bigger than you but always seems to dress really appropriately so you never notice her weight. I think that should be your priority. Senior people, particularly men, are often narcissists and looking to tear strips off each other, and larger women often get dismissed or actively put down - by dressing in a way that makes your weight a non-issue you will really benefit.

Was also going to suggest Winser, or Gina Bacconi. Both stocked at John Lewis - would it be worth booking a personal shopper appointment?

Lockdown expansion issue 😂 love it @Ratonastick

Hugo Boss sometimes. Like this www.hugoboss.com/uk/ruched-neck-blouse-in-stretch-silk-crepe-de-chine/hbeu50453554_330.html?cgid=11100

Makes me feel better about my celery focussed lunch!

Also, try Shibumi for a really eye catching jacket to jazz up plainer dresses or trousers. I would size up as they can be quite tight, but they often have bigger sizes in stock.

I really like The Fold. They have great shoes too. Also Saba (Australian but deliver internationally).

OOh thanks! Lots of places to look

I can’t really justify mine as lockdown expansion given I was in the office the whole time - but I guess takeaway expansion will do!

2 suggestions:

Make an appointment (can do it by video) with a John Lewis personal stylist, they will have access to the full range eg Helen McAlinden which seem to specialise in smart workwear

Have something made bespoke. I can recommend Jill at Distinctively Me, it's comparable in price to good quality high street eg Boss but you feel so much better when things fit properly www.distinctivelyme.com/

Take a look at Wyse, you cant go wrong. Good luck in the new role.

Some bits of Holland and Cooper, like this www.hollandcooper.com/products/silk-vneck-blouse-emerald

Type workwear into Netaporter too.

The super senior women I know (well, I know two of them) just meet a personal stylist two or three times a year and do it in one hit. I wonder if it is worth just finding one now and building a relationship?

What industry and age range are you? I have a few fold dresses but TBH I find them frumpy and old fashioned now. Most senior people in my industry (buy side investment) have moved away from the power dress and heels combo. Law/accounting/consultants may be different though.

You don’t necessarily need expensive clothes though. NAP has gone down the sustainability route and having ordered stuff during the sale the customer service has gone down massively.

Have a look at hobbs, winser, theory, banana republic, everlane

I would say, get a colour and style consultation (House of colour or similar).
The line between looking smart and professional and buttoned up/stuffy is hard to judge and it depends on your shape, your look and your personality where you draw it.

They cover dressing for authority and business really well.

If you're going to sink a bit of cash, then have a strategy

Hi all thanks again for suggestions. Am early 50s, can’t really say industry as too outing. But it’s VERY conservative re dress code. I agree ‘even’ law, consulting etc has relaxed over last 20 years (when I started in professional life, we got raised eyebrows if we had a trouser suit on from some of the seniors, I’m that old). If you imagine men are in suits for almost all meetings. Some of junior men are wearing shirts with no ties but very few. Women more mixed but there aren’t a lot of us!

I agree re strategy, I’m so bad at that. I did have one when I was a couple of sizes smaller but feel like I don’t look good enough in clothes to spend time w stylist etc., now but that may well be the wrong compromise.

I agree with the John Lewis personal shopper suggestion. Just to get help selecting basics

I think things have changed. Some of the suggestions above are outdated IMO.

John Lewis have an online style edit feature which might be worth a try for inspiration.

@NotMeNoNo

I would say, get a colour and style consultation (House of colour or similar). The line between looking smart and professional and buttoned up/stuffy is hard to judge and it depends on your shape, your look and your personality where you draw it.

They cover dressing for authority and business really well.

If you're going to sink a bit of cash, then have a strategy

I know someone who did this, and it worked really well, a very senior lawyer in private practice.

It was noticeable that she had changed something but she looked appropriate and herself at all times.

I'd suggest some low to mid height blocky heels, they are still reasonably fashionable. M&S autograph are normally comfortable and nice looking. Then perhaps some brogues and/or loafers for days when you want flats. If you won't be parking close by you might need some flats to walk in to the office too.

Honest, if you feel you don't look good in your clothes because you're a couple of sizes bigger, it's even more worth it.
I think of women my age who I work with, 50 ish, most of us have a bit of middle age spread. There is a big difference between a tired, ill fitting 20 year old navy suit and white blouse, and a well cut dress or or jacket with panache and good accessories.

Another suggestion is to set up your ipad or camera properly, take loads of selfies with all your dresses, tops and trousers to narrow down which shapes and lengths suit you best.
If I hit the big promotion and was not so short I'd be looking at Reiss, Hobbs, Winser, the Fold, and the more formal stuff from Whistles, Jigsaw and Boden.

I love Phase Eight stretchy dresses - I always get compliments when I wear those. I tend to reach for one of those when I have client meetings, when I am attending trade shows/conferences (so see hundreds of contacts), when I'm presenting, etc. They have the added bonus that they travel really well - so when you get to your destination (if you are not in business clothes yet) you can pull one out of your case and it's ready to go.

I wear them with four or five-inch stilettos as that's my style, what I like and feel 'put together' in. But something lower could also work: Hobbs and M&S would be good starting places.

Jaeger (now at M&S) is worth a look too, maybe next season as it's nearly all linen at the moment.

Congrats on the job.

I'm a little larger than you.

Depends on body shape but would slim trousers, shell tops and a jacket ready to go work?

I'm terrible in heels so have R&B loafers in about 6 colours...
I"m sure you have this covered but you need at least one decent bag that will hold all your stuff) and some understated but nice jewellery - I"d be cracking out the diamond studs and a decent watch.

I'd look at Hobbs for suits (might not be £££ enough though).

Friend who hates shopping and has senior role rates the fold.

If you need a make up refresh I recommend the beauty personal shopper at Fenwicks - Frey-ja. Helped m a lot when I went from brunette to grey and had to rethink all the colours I was wearing...

Hobbs dresses and jackets