Struggling with the smart casual look

[Coffeesnob11]

I work in banking in the city. I have always had to wear suits. Our company changed its policy to smart casual a while ago for office based work bit as I was always in meetings I was nearly always in a suit. I am getting more and more requests from clients for it to be a smart casual dress as they don't wish to wear suits. My wardrobe is full of the damp things and I find it easy to just pull one out but I am massively struggling with smart casual for client meetings. The guys all wear chinos and a shirt unbuttoned.
Firstly has anyone ever had I of those wardrobe clean outs with a professional and second what shod I look to buy. I am mid forties, 5ft 9, size 10, long body, normal length legs, large feet and always cold. I feel lost and either overdressed or scruffy. I need some sort of help. Where should I start?

You could try a dress with flattish shoes. Current styles are quite modest.

I also work in banking. My go to in winter is a variety of dresses with black tights and boots. Can change to heels and blazer to dress up, add a cardigan to dress down. My favourite is wrap dresses but shift and shirt work too.

Other favourite is the classic “jeans and a nice top”. I have black jeans that don’t look like denim and a variety of “nice tops” and blazers. Brogues and/or pumps

These combinations could work with what you already have with the suits so they don’t go totally to waste.

Actually today I’m not wearing either of those- I have on a Forever New woollen A line mini skirt with a silk shirt but black tights and chunky boots. Not sure I would wear the mini to a client meeting because it rides up when I sit down.

Without having to spend any cash you could do the smart top and suit skirt or trousers.

A v smart friend has a ‘uniform’ of high end, non denim jeans type trousers in dark colours, silk shirts in a ‘palette’ of neutral colours she looks good in, a jersey type blazer or smart knit and flat shoes. Classic, simple jewelry.

Loads of good workwear blogs etc online and with being slim you’ve loads of good options!

My office is smart casual and I have a similar body shape to you. I wear a lot wrap dresses, dark jeans and silk blouses and shirt dresses.

I wear elements of my suits separately and not in a matching way so I will wear a grey jacket/blazer with black trousers. I tend to favour trousers so it's generally trousers plus ankle boots (or skinny tregging type trousers tucked into flat over the knee boots), with a jumper or fancy top and then a blazer. The jacket makes me feel pulled together but without the formality of a suit. One thing I have definitely noticed is how much more casual shoes are these days; it's super rare to see anyone in heels. Smart trainers, loafers or flattish/chunky boots are very common and automatically make things look less formal.

If you work in the City there is a shop called Devernois in Blackheath village that is smart casual. I really think they could help you.

I still wear my trouser suits but with slim jumpers or print blouses. Maybe nice cashmere or merino fine sweaters for winter if you feel the cold, or a gilet. I still wear dresses too but with dark tights and boots rather than high heels. I find my shift dresses and jackets really old fashioned now, but mixed with other things (jacket with jeans, dresses with smart sweaters over) they’re much more on trend.

Reimagining workwear - Trinny

I have a ‘uniform’ of black/navy/dark grey cigarette type trousers, a palette of bright silky type tops and coordinating neat cardigans (I suit candy/jewel colours rather than beiges or pastels), fine gold jewellery and either dark ‘pewter’ style brogues or ox-blood DM loafers. I also have a good black and a good navy jacket that I use when I have to. I just wear whatever I grab in the morning and it all sort of works.

I think I need to invest in some trousers. Most of my suits are dresses/skirts and some footwear. I find the footwear harder as I am a size 9 ish and a lot, even if they fit are just darn uncomfortable. I would love someone to go through my wardrobe and tell me what to chuck/keep/restock with.
I loved the trinny video. Some of the outfits would have been a bit out there for some of my clients. I wear bright colours sometimes and really notice at conferences I stand out apart from the fact I am a woman, which can be a good and bad thing too.

I work with lots of City clients and agree that the dress code is definitely not for suits, particularly for women. I occasionally go to a meeting where the men are wearing suits and a tie, but the women never wear suits any more.

It sounds like you are comfortable with tailored clothing, which makes sense and frankly is easier to do smartly. Going into winter I'd be looking at smart trousers or skirts (some of your suits, depending on style might work) with blouses or slim fitting jumpers. If you get cold, wear a good cardigan or a less formal jacket, ideally in a different colour to the trousers. There are a whole bunch of tailored trousers here with some de-facto ideas on tops/blouses/jumpers.

I also think along with tailoring, material is key. This is not the time to wear cotton or chunky cable knit.

Dresses work well and can either be short sleeved/vest style with something warmer underneath or warmer/winter dresses. Or, of course, a dress with a cardigan or jacket. You can go quite smart with this for example or a bit more casual with something like this. If you can afford it, I always think Ted Baker does a great selection for women who are tall and slim.

Sorry - I was typing a response and lost internet so didn't see your comment re dresses skirts. Depending on the type of dress, I'd just wear them but without the jacket and invest in a few cardigans if you're cold. Also, not sure what jewellery you wear but bigger, chunkier jewellery can change how a suit feels.

For skirts, again, it depends. I have a couple of smart on-the-knee skirts that were part of suits previously. I wear the black pencil skirt with a green ribbed jumper and a casual jacket/cardigan. I have a black and brown chiffon number that I now just wear with a smart black top or a black silky longsleeve wrap top (with thermal underwear underneath).

Can you post some examples of the kind of suits you wear now so we can offer thoughts on how you can edit the way you wear them without changing your style completely (which, I'm assuming, would make you deeply uncomfortable).

I was on John Lewis earlier and saw they're advertising personal stylists on line so that might also be something to consider.

Have a look at Kibbe body types.
My type is nothing like yours, but it showed me why I can't wear faded clothing, asymmetrical, and other fashions.
I suit tailored simple clothing, the more I tried to "dress up" the worse I looked.

There might be something in Kibbe for you OP.
If it works magic for you, let me know!

Could you wear the bottom half of your suit with a more casual top?