Please help with work clothes

[Catslovepies]

Hi, I have always struggled with what to wear to work. I have a wardrobe full of clothes and nothing to wear! I think it's because of my colouring, body shape and aversion to anything too eye-catching. Can you help with some ideas please? In an ideal world there would be a mid-price brand of clothing where I could spend around £500 and be sorted for 3-4 outfits I could wear on rotation.

My colouring is quite pale and I look washed out with black, navy or grey by my face. I like other shades of blue, plus dark green, dark red - basically jewel tones. However DH says (in a kind way!) that my clothes are too dark and gloomy and I would suit lighter colours.

As for body shape, I'm a short "apple" - 5'4" with a big tum. I also have some shoulder issues. I don't know how to explain it but basically I have big shoulder blades and a slightly stooped posture. I think it means I look better in v-necks but don't want to expose any cleavage.

My workplace isn't super smart but it is quite dull and male-dominated. I'm 50 and also a manager so would like to dress in a way that garners respect. I am bad at fashion and although I've really tried, I just can't figure out what to wear. Everything that looks nice on other people just tends to look weird on me for some reason. So I tend to wear black trousers with a blue top but am so bored with it. I would really appreciate any ideas please, and thank you!

One thing you could try is change your bottom base to dark navy. Work out your best trouser style and buy multiples of that. (E.g.: high waist wide leg or mid rise crop or mid rise straight).When you do that the contrasting top isn't such a harsh horizontal line emphasising your widest point (as an apple) as you get with black. There are plenty of online guides (or you could pay) to have your colours done. Sounds like you already know that jewel tones suit you. With tops skim past the apple to lower hip but don't go too oversize that makes you look bigger. Neckline a shallow V or scoop and buttoned packets draw a vertical line. 3/4 or long sleeves as elbow length or shorter emphasises the apple again.
If you feel washed out the best thing is to get your hair tidy and a good undertone - the best length might be just past the shoulder blades. Ensuring your eyebrows are well looked after and the right colour will give you a frame when you don't want to wear makeup.
None of my advice is "fashionable" as it doesn't sound like a fashion job. You just want to project strong, trustworthy and reliable while looking your best and putting in least effort. Boring clothes can be made interesting with large statement accessories - cuffs, collar necklaces etc.
Wear jewelry in one tone so everything goes.
These are the rules I gave my sister who is apple, fair and not interested in constantly shopping. It works for her!

*plackets not packets ffs

Spend you budget on 2-3 items that will lift stuff you already own.

A couple of gorgeous cream shirts/tops (one silk one cotton) and a pair of tailored trousers in flecked tweed maybe light blue or light grey.

Do you have John lewis nearby? They do personal styling for free.

Places I find good for workwear:
Hobbs
Me and Em tops and dresses
White Company and Boden trousers
Baukjen for basics

Although pricey me+em has some great stuff for professional but not stuffy workwear. Their high waist wide leg trousers are great. Wear with a cotton shirt or top from somewhere like m&s.

also try jaeger at m&s. They had some nice things last season although I haven’t looked recently.