Help! Need to look professional, turning 40 and have no idea any more!

[Rittersport]

Probably asking the impossible but here goes.
Professional job which I occasionally have to go to in person, no longer a spring chicken so can't get away with what the young people are wearing 😄
Put on a bit of weight during lockdown, size 14 ish.
Don't want to look bland, do like a print, design or bit of colour.
No one wears suits or day dresses anymore...!!! What am I supposed to wear to the office to look professional and a bit unique but be comfy.

I currently look like your aunt, and I don't think this is a good thing.
Any suggestions?? Pretty please!

Also, if people in your office are wearing jeans then nice jeans, nice top/blouse and blazer can look v smart.

Wide leg or 7/8 trousers

Nice knitwear

Brogues or loafers

I have a belted wool coat, this kind of shape (mine is not bright pink, although why not!) and I would wear ankle boots with a dress (mainly as I find heels uncomfortable.
www.monsoon.co.uk/keryn-wrap-collar-belted-coat-2465541020.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA6seQBhAfEiwAvPqu1_tIyvx2dl2uloqblR2bfgjM_cnj5QsYTCvCBNpTW5kvDdW_tHVuEBoC32MQAvD_BwE

Or knee high boots if it's cold.

...Yeah, sorry but that Hobbs dress is pretty frumpy. It has little shape and the length is wrong.

I would recommend haunting the sales for The Fold, Libby London, Cefinn. Also check out Cos and Jigsaw.

Shirt dresses etc are nice but depending on area of work I see nothing wrong with a skirt suit or smart dress with jacket. Whenever I’ve worn this in the past it gets positive reviews! Doesn’t have to be super smart slim dresses for work either.

Midi dresses good, small heel to add height, lose weight and shapewear to pull you in.

[[https://uk.dvf.com/products/new-phoenix-maxi-wrap-dress-in-mesh-dvfdw3p015glmbk?variant=41645356777646&dfw_tracker=132220-41645356777646&gclid=CjwKCAiA6seQBhAfEiwAvPqu1x2CjmvYR8PJVE30rCHBRyt7kspGVYajdH3AFe3QfExhZgeYw-OFYRoC_A0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds]{

www.lkbennett.com/product/CDLIYAVISCOSEMIXBlueMidnight~Liya-Green-Viscose-Mix-Dress-Midnight?currency=GBP&awc=2246_1645357660_fc15f8d4c550e0714dae2b4468ac2a77&utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=Lyst+Ltd&network=awin&affiliate_id=104504

Dresses I’ve linked to are on expensive side but look in sales or eBay or invest.

Clothes shopping - &Other Stories, Hobbs, etc just try on!

@Gruach

People still shop at Hobbs?

I recall my DM used to buy clothes there until about a decade ago. She finds it too old fashioned now. She’s 90.

Ouch! I still rely on Hobbs for work outfits although at the moment I'm between their sizes and nothing quite works.

I see what people mean about that dress but I far prefer the length of it compared to the midi styles others linked to - a below knee length is not flattering on me. It also looks as though you can adjust the waist which can be useful.

I could have written your post, OP (and to the aunt reference).

I like M&S trousers (the ones at £25-£30 quid), and Mango for blouses and blazers. Hobbs dresses would be too formal for my workplace, but their shoes are really comfy.

[quote Rittersport]I'm quite taken with this one? Is it too short? Too dressy? Too smart?
Some people in my office will be wearing jeans and trainers and somehow manage to look smart but this is not a skill I have developed yet!!

www.hobbs.com/product/anya-jacquard-dress/0220-5528-9025L00-LIGHT-NAVY.html#cgid=clothing-dresses&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0220-5528-9025L00-LIGHT-NAVY&pos=53[/quote]
On me the detailing at the front would emphasise my tummy. But that is my shape and might not be yours.

I like this one, www.hobbs.com/product/noa-knitted-dress/0122-9971-1185L00-DEEP-RED.html#navAjax=true&imageType=model&is=true&sz=60&start=58&cgid=clothing-dresses&isSecondPage=false&pid=0122-9971-1185L00-DEEP-RED&pos=73

Love bright colours.

I wear Hobbs stuff but all bought on ebay these days - a lot of the newer stuff I think is a bit frumpy and overpriced. You can easily buy barely worn stuff for 20-30 quid.

Massimo Dutti do great trousers in modern cuts - I have a pair of cropped wide leg trousers which have had compliments from loads of younger members of staff which I got from TK Maxx (i'm never usually lucky with stuff from there!)

I resent spending ££ on stuff I only wear at work, so I buy it all secondhand. Jackets from LK Bennett are my go to, I mix and match with whatever else I'm wearing. Wool wide leg/ 7/8 trousers and a fitted top or a tailored/knitted dress. Brogues or chunky heeled boots on my feet. I'm not saying I'm a paragon of style but I feel a lot more put together these days. Still a work in progress though.

Resist the frump OP, I believe in you!