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What Do You Wear To Work If...

8 replies

NeverDropYourMooncup · 29/11/2022 22:43

Your heart lies somewhere around the Sicilian Widow look with a side order of Wish I'd Been a Ballet Dancer and feel like you need to consistently up your game to carry on progressing?

My workplace has morphed with a change of leadership from incredibly traditional 'trouser or skirt suit/straight knee length skirt and a blazer and we'll threaten you with disciplinary action if your shoes aren't low heeled courts or your hair is a little more natural than we were told is professional around 1976' to 'Be you. As long as that you is clean and put together, we love it. Just try not to scare the men in suits from Head Office horses'.

Almost everybody else has their 'thing' - Leopard print and Leather, Lagenlook Art Teacher, Seasalt Social Worker, long, lean, caramel loveliness, flowing modest, jewl bright traditional prints, ditzy florals (you're never more than 3m away from a tall blonde in ditzy florals). But I don't. Not in that sense, anyhow - I love black, red, dark green, taupe, dark teal, midnight blue, copper, texture rather than pattern, lovely fabrics, natural colours, lace, lacing, broderie, embroidery, silk, satin - and not putting much flesh out on show.

How would you spruce up somebody knocking on 50, stumpy legged, fat (but nowhere near as fat as she used to be - 16 and with a small top half but solid legs from the gym), in work clothes - dresses, preferably - hair, makeup, nails, accessories?

I have the money to start doing things for the first time in about 25 years and I'm lost where to start. I posted a while ago when the first step up was a possibility and following a lot of the advice seemed to help, but I've now taken another couple of leaps and want to keep going, which is why I'm feeling the need to do this. And after 25 years of not being able to do it for various reasons (including having shitty exes), I can do it and I want to do it. But I want to feel like 'me' at the same time. I'm too old to be wearing a costume to hide who I am.

Help!

OP posts:
Thesheerrelief · 30/11/2022 07:18

How about something like this? It's very pricey so there may be other options- linking it for the style: www.thewellworn.co.uk/remade-new-clothes-accessories/p/soft-needle-cord-dress?ss_source=igshop&ss_product_id=635a4a0519df2627ca71cc12&utm_source=IGShopping&utm_medium=Social

Thesheerrelief · 30/11/2022 07:49

Also some ideas here:
www.instagram.com/p/CljZHoeLHYB/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

HelloGooodBye · 30/11/2022 08:10

So you're nearly 50, a size 16, not very tall, legs ok, possibly pear shaped like black and dark colours conservative 'modest' clothes. Like lace but it needs to look professional.

www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/dresco-london/long-sleeve-pleated-midi-wrap-dress-with-belt-in-black

www.karenmillen.com/forever-bar-belt-midi-dress/AKK98380-1.html?color=105

www.karenmillen.com/structured-crepe-full-skirted-midi-dress/BKK06918-1.html?color=105

www.karenmillen.com/petite-embroidered-cornelli-tape-woven-dress/BKK06996.html?color=399

www.karenmillen.com/structured-crepe-forever-pleat-belted-midi-dress/BKK03446-1.html?color=105

www.karenmillen.com/petite-long-sleeve-pleated-midi-trench-dress/AKK05551-1.html?color=105

www.karenmillen.com/petite-soft-tailored-high-low-sleeved-midi-dress/BKK08965-1.html?color=105

www.karenmillen.com/structured-crepe-strong-shoulder-midi-dress/BKK05568-1.html?color=105

www.monsoon.co.uk/velvet-embroidered-yoke-jersey-dress-black-34169601.html

I don't want to 'spam' you further as I feel I've put down so many links already but I would look into Victoriana, lace blouse, lace cami, lace tights. Basics in black and dark colours and then a touch of lace here and there. Dramatic put fairly dainty and small jewellery can be used to give a dark edge to a plain basic black outfit. For example, black jewellery or things with a red stone in a gothic or vintage design.

Hair like Lauren Bacall's in the 40s or a halo crown braid.
Victorian goth style and dark librarian might also overlap with your style.

HelloGooodBye · 30/11/2022 08:12

And how could I forget... Helena Bonhom Carter is a great source of inspiration for hair and clothes that are on the darker side.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 30/11/2022 16:14

You're making me feel so much better - those suggestions are very much like things I already have!

Thank you!

OP posts:
semideponent · 30/11/2022 16:19

Love the colour palette. How about belts as a kind of signature?

Deathraystare · 01/12/2022 15:38

All those dresses look lovely. I was surprised when sHEER said about the first dress being very pricey. I have seen people recommend much pricier stuff on here!

Deathraystare · 01/12/2022 15:39

By the way @NeverDropYourMooncup I loved your description of the old and new dress code at work!!

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