Help me dress more 'artsy' !

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I've started working in a role which is a lot more creative and artsy than previous jobs I've done and it involves presenting at arts/ literature type events. Everyone I'm working alongside seems much more left-wing creative, hipster, free-flowing, colourful - I'm not sure how to describe it!
I'm in my mid-50s and admittedly have got a bit into a jeans/top/cardigan sort of rut which in my new role is just too dowdy.

I'm fortunate in that I'm a slim size 12 , 5ft 6, and can get away with a lot of styles etc. I can't do heels really though due to some foot issues, so trainers/ flat shoes and boost are best.
Short, fine blonde hair cut in a bob. Not sure I want to colour it anything wacky though!

Help me break free! What should I be looking for? Brands, styles, colours, accessories?
What screams 'creative/artsy' at you?

Agreed. The so-called “Style and Beauty” board could be renamed : “Boden & Clark’s”.

Oh lord yes. About 90% of posters would have everybody in a "flattering" knee length wrap dress.

It's easy to sit there in your joggers criticising what everyone else is wearing.

have you tried starting a thread on fashion as art?

All of them, @JaneJeffer - I’m pretty sure all the threads starting with “Look!!!” have been started by me!

And I don’t give a fig what other people are wearing in real life - that would be weird. It’s just that the title Style and Beauty proposes a conversation I rarely find here. I wouldn’t be on MN if I didn’t appreciate the variety of debate across threads - but it is quite disappointing when every wedding guest thread culminates in general agreement on a Bombshell dress. (Years ago it always seemed to be a kimono from Amazon …) It’s not that those could never be excellent choices - they’re just not interesting or exciting to talk about in terms of exploring an entire world of stylish clothing design.

I have a similar-ish role and Cos is my go-to. Would also recommend Uniqlo for a cheaper option!

I love fashion as art though. Not wearable, but Viktor and Rolf type stuff.

If anyone's been to any Arts Council conferences you can play COS bingo in the conference hall. One year they did a lot of pieces in this really distinctive apple green and you could spot it a mile off.

My go-to is (I'm 40, and an artist/art lecturer/arts consultant) opaque tights, COS dress (A-line/shirt/knitted), ankle boots, either small chunky hoop earrings or a necklace. Also look at Marimekko, & Other Stories, Arket, LF Markey, Meadows, Plumo, Muji. Uniqlo for basics or when they have . It's for youngsters but the odd bit in Monki too (not the prints).

You could go quite safe on a dress, e.g.
www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.oversized-fit-wool-t-shirt-dress-grey.0996204005.html

And then fun colours for small accessories, e.g.
lfmarkey.com/products/elio-bucket-bag-yellow
www.trouva.com/products/24-bottles-urban-bottle-500ml-pachino
www.baggu.com/collections/bags

Cos bingo😂

The likelihood of other people turning up in the same thing is good reason to try to avoid wearing anything too recognisable / from very popular brands if you’re going to be the focus of attention.

I was in London for a friend’s ‘arts thing’ earlier this week - taking in an exhibition and some browsing en route. This unseasonable weather had me puzzled; I wanted to be wearing winter clothes. Eventually settled on an old but lovely, and light, dogtooth check Rochas coat, colour of the year Elder Statesman camisole, baggy, faded Raey chinos, with a fairisle sweater doing duty as a scarf. Thankfully not a dressy event - couldn’t face carrying an alternative to my not particularly beloved but useful clumpy boots.

If I’d been involved in the event I’d probably have aimed for something more outfit-ish, or swapped the coat for a velvet jacket. And fancier footwear!

I'd get basics from Cos and complement with tops and jackets from Ganni and Essential Antwerp.

this forum is where i would come to find out what not to wear, so anything advising me to do a thing is translated as nope! it's all a bit scared and insipid.

and fuck cos - cheap, badly tailored shite.

That's helpful. What would you recommend to wear?

I love Kiin and Monki is worth a look too. Great for more playful work outfits

Go for a gamine / Alexa Chung vibe. Understated but cool.

Cos is too on the nose (though you might find some nice pieces there, I wouldn’t dress in a way that screams Cos). Monty Don is more expensive pottering around gorgeous big house. Anything wacky is crafts fair terrain.

This is probably my "look".

Tbh I buy from everywhere, from Cos to ASOS to Ganni to Zara, you just need to choose the right pieces - basically gamine, looser cuts, go v careful with prints and frills and buttons, interesting proportions.