Workwear that's like Hobbs but not Hobbs

[crummyusername]

Hi, I desperately need some new workwear but my go-to shop, Hobbs, had absolutely nothing I liked when I went in today! The colours were all wrong for me, and there wasn't even a plain navy skirt suit, which would have done the job.

What I'm like / what I'm after....

I'm 50, size 14, 5 ft 6, pear shaped, brunette
Autumnal colours suit me - I love mustard, orange, teal, sage kind of shades. No blacks or greys. Navy possible for trousers / jacket.
I like fitted shift dresses, perhaps with a smart cardigan. And maybe a skirt suit, or maybe trousers and a shirt (I have a few nice Seasalt shirts). Trouser suits make me look like a man! Nothing flowy, and I hate the top of my arms showing.
Mid priced so kind of Hobbs or a little more - say £150 for a dress ish?

I've looked at Jaeger, Zara, M&S, Reiss, John Lewis, Next... I'm really stuck!

Grateful for any advice!

Have you tried vinted for hobbs from previous seasons? I have done well for workwear

Sometimes phase eight has something a bit hobbs like

Jigsaw? Though you will have to scroll past lots of rubbish.

Pretty Dress Company have some excellent fitted dresses

Maybe try Sumissura
Hobbs online outlet or ebay/vinted - the clothes are well made and last really well.
They only have a fraction of their stock in shops these days unless you go to the big London one.

Ooh @DisforDarkChocolate the Pretty Dresses site has some good stuff. Eyeing up this The Pretty Dress Company Kennedy Roll Collar Pencil Dress in forest green

They look great don't they @crummyusername . I've not bought from them (yet) but I have heard good things.

Love the green dress.

Seasalt? I buy lots from here for work

Ted Baker might be worth a look.

Karen Millen?

Have ordered from Pretty Dress Co and will report back. I love Seasalt but a lot of it is too casual for work (office environment). I'll look at Ted Baker & Karen Millen also.

Thought it would be super easy to get a navy blue suit as part of the work wardrobe but I can't find one anywhere!

I’d look at:
Jigsaw
Me & Em - eye watering prices but good sales
LK Bennett - ditto
Massimo Dutti
Winser London ( never bought but they seem to do decent looking workwear)
Pure Collection

How about this one from Phase Eight

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/margot-city-suit-skirt-84007935114.html?istCompanyId=c38fe7a0-ffd0-4925-94b3-cff8df449484&istFeedId=5a41320b-c741-4d1e-b90d-1091450d147c&istItemId=ptilqitpt&istBid=t&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=19651720071&gclid=CjwKCAjwge2iBhBBEiwAfXDBR5vitAOC_8UXFvUQybmpjcZuKSNCq0jHS-hZyDIHStc-QBCmIJ2SeRoCifsQAvD_BwE

Maxmara weekend
Maisai
Sahara London
Modern Rarity by John Lewis

@Katrinawaves that's good but the jacket is out of stock :(

Cheaper than you are looking at but John Lewis do a navy skirt suit called 'Taylor'. It's surprisingly good for the price.

I found this at John Lewis & Partners. What do you think?  https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-taylor-ponte-pencil-skirt/navy/p5920087?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&sshare=jlappios&size=8&&_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

@PatChaunceysFruitCake that looks promising. Skirt a little shorter than I'd ideally like but worth a try

Have ordered the john lewis suit, along with the pretty dress co dress. All my current workwear is pre lockdown and almost all is too small, so I'm in urgent need of a revamp!

Jigsaw

This is another option. Skirt looks a bit longer than the John Lewis one maybe?

https://www.simonjersey.com/womens-qualitas-2-button-jacket-25-skirt-suit-dark-navy-p3626

Some Boden dresses are OK for work - I have a couple of plain jersey dresses, smartish with a jacket, I figure I look OK in them.

Update -
John Lewis suit - good quality for the price. Kind of a Jersey rather than suit material which for me made it a bit too clingy on the skirt. Probably also needed a size up :(
Pretty Dress Co - on the fence with this! Love the quality and colour. Just not sure about the neckline, and whether it’s a bit aging for me? Thoughts?

I really like the dress and would wear it myself to work but I think if it doesn’t make you feel completely comfortable, you probably won’t pull it out of your wardrobe to wear very often and so you’d be better off looking elsewhere

I have this one which is a similar shape and colour but different neckline. I wore it yesterday to court and someone stopped me in the loo to say how much they liked it - not sure if they have it in your size?

https://www.libbylondon.com/collections/outlet/products/kensington-teal-dress