I need to look professional. Help!

[HonoriaGlossop]

OK I am the manager of a project which is not social services but in that field. It's my first managerial post and I have been munging around at work in clothes that I know make me look like a student. I have never looked professional in my life but I now have a worker who is SO groomed and wears all the right stuff; we are going to be attending a weekly meeting together and I am blushing NOW at the knowledge that everyone will think she's my manager!!!

Can you stylish ones help? What is a spot-on 'capsule' work wardrobe? Complete novice needing help in word of one syllable if you can manage it

TIA

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Agree with Anniemac. Boots much better than trousers with a dress.

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Dress with trousers looks too much like Trinny!

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I love open toe shoes but agree not for meetings/interviews, its too distracting!
And agree that looking good and well put together isnt about formal clothes, rather taking care over putting an outfit together and finding shapes and colours which suit you, which does take time and effort.
This was part of the reason I suggested trying a personal shopper to HG.

i love peep toes so long as they are weather-appropriate.

honoria i am similar shape - empire is the way to go, low neck with a nice vest underneath if needed for modesty and interest. wear as a dress with boots, or top with slim trousers / dark jeans and a nice pair of boots or shoes with a small but not kitten heel.

also nice is a straight skirt with scoop or v neck jumper and boots. i've got a couple of empire fine-knit sweater dresses from uniqlo which can be smart with boots and tights or rattier with jeans and clogs (yes sorry about them but they are permitted in voluntary sector).

wraps are good so long as the tie bit can go high enough, otherwise it emphasises thick waist. i find wrap tops much better than wrap dresses. if you are petite you may have trouble finding one which lines up with you anyway, you will have to experiment.

wow thank you so much for all this - fishie, aren't clogs COMPULSORY in the vol sector?

i am going out later for a shop and will let you know if I get anything at all......

this has been really useful