Career Changing Capsule Wardrobe - help please with footwear, work bag and tops

[ipsofatto999]

I'm changing careers in my 40s to a part of the legal sector where the people I will be competing with are largely in their late 20s/very early 30s. I have so far survived lots of selection days etc. and in 2 weeks, am off to a 2-day final stage "day in the life" event which is of course, really assessing candidates' fit, social skills, ability to behave in front of senior partners and clients etc. I am keen not to fall at the last hurdle!

The programme includes working breakfasts, workshops, lectures, site visits. I will be using a slim-fitting single-breasted navy trouser suit as a base. I'm quite short - just over 5 foot 1 and a size 10-12. I've fallen into a working-from-home slump with leggings and trainers and have lost my way wardrobe wise! I prefer natural fabrics, low heels/no heels and clean, simple lines with no embroidery/lace/patterns. I wear silver accessories

Can you please help me find suitable footwear, a bag and tops that will work with a navy suit to make me blend in but still be slightly individual - am not trying to disguise my age (sadly don't have the funds for full face rejuvenation) but just aiming for a polished and put-together capsule that will take me from the working breakfast to the networking dinner without needing to change.

There is an Instagram stylist i follow called Clare Lopez who has just done a post about workwear. She's 5'3" herself and her style is quite classic. While the workwear ideas she posted aren't suits they are quite "polished" and could be good for some ideas?

Very, very best of luck with your process 🍀

I'd suggest a look on the Massimo Dutti site, their look fits the bill for you. I wear a lot of navy, and my go to colours to coordinate are white, deep green and blush pink, but they might not suit your colouring.

A modern way to wear a suit is with a pristine white t shirt, Cos do good ones but mind the fit, a lot are oversized which you don't want with your suit jacket. I have a great MD one, I'm a size 10 and the XS is perfect under jackets.

For shoes I'd go for loafers, not the chunky sole ones but the classic Gucci style. MD usually have a version.

For a bag are you looking for a tote to fit laptop and papers or a smaller everyday bag? What colour are you thinking? I know tan is v popular as a neutral bag colour, personally I'm not a fan, I think chocolate brown looks more luxe and is great with navy.

These are terrific suggestions - thank you. I've followed Clare (and two Sezane tops have been purchased) and checked out Massimo Dutti. I use plum or navy for bags but am looking for a work-appropriate backpack as will need to lug case files around etc. Hard to find ones without gold zips/hardware - any suggestions for work backpacks that aren't black and don't look too "Middle Management Man on Executive Business easyJet flight"? Also, mad question - but would I be absolutely crazy to try and dye my hair for the first time before this event? Have greys around my temples and scattered throughout - usually doesn't bother me at all and I would like to lean into the grey hair as it comes in, but while I'm in compete mode, would it be wise to perhaps disguise the greys? My hair is a cool brown/mousey brown.

For you hair, I would do whatever makes you feel confident!!!

Try nordace for a backpack.

Coach are good for backpacks, usually a few on sale.

If you want to dye your hair I would put a semi perm colour over the top. Will fade out over time but should hide or at least tone down the greys.

I like deep red/burgundy bags with navy.

I am the same age and height as you also in the legal sector. I have a backpack from Smythson that is very smart but was painfully expensive. I wear work clothes from Theory and Me and Em.

Have a look at Shein for workwear - I got this blush pink too recently for under my own navy jacket! Link for naice pink top

I was also going to recommend nordace for backpacks.

I work for a magic circle law firm (with no say whatsoever in hiring so please god no DM’s!)

I’m early forties and a lawyer and have (and like) this backpack in navy.
https://www.troubadourgoods.com/collections/backpacks/products/compact-apex-backpack?variant=44099728474344
Big enough for laptop/notebook/diary and everyday stuff. I once managed to fit a lever arch in but was worried I was going to break the bag.
Good luck!

I know the brand is quite marmite (low or hate), but I have an Orla Kiely backpack that I have used for work for a couple of years now and it is great. Black with some embossing. It fits a laptop, laptop cable, chargers, A4 notebook waterbottle/coffee cup and more, with room to spare, yet looks neat and small.
I now want a leather version.

Thanks so much everyone - my credit card has taken a bit of a hammering but I'm feeling a bit more confident about what I'll be wearing at least! Never knew about some of these brands before and they've all been great suggestions.

OP check out COS and Arket too. Pricey but do good sales x

I really like Dress With Dani on Instagram for corporate workwear styling, she's great on realistic workwear outfits. I wear a lot of navy with cream, blush pink and grey as accent colours, and have two bags that coordinate in tan leather - a small camera bag for the days that I don't have a lot of stuff, and a ludicrously capacious tote like this for the days when I do. There's a great thread in Classics about building a work wardrobe with fewer, better things that I come back to for inspiration - here it is.

I think a bag you can close feels more put together. I have a simple (but large) nordace ruck sack. It probably does feel a bit suitcasey but it's awesome and many women I work with in a corporate environment have one. A rucksack leaves your hands free which is great when juggling the kind of activities you describe (like holding lunch standing up!). If there will be a cloakroom you could put a smaller bag inside for the dinners etc

A loafer works really well. When I'm nervous I get a bit sweaty so I would consider pop socks. Which I know isn't in the least youthful but being sweaty and stressed is grim.

For your hair I would do what feels better but do give yourself a couple of weeks for it to settle down in case you are less than thrilled initially.

For your hair, you could try a toning shampoo and conditioner, like the John Frieda brunette range, or the Shrine brunette toning drops that you put into your conditioner and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. This gives a subtle me-but-better effect rather than anything too drastic.

Another thought here for loafers - Bass Weejuns are classic, but not too ‘stockbroker out for lunch’. Jigsaw and Whistles also do quite good footwear that’s work-appropriate with a twist.

Something that might make shopping a little easier is to think about your colouring, and without wanting to go all ‘get your colours done’, there’s definitely something to be said for having a colour palette saved on your phone that you can easily refer to. From the sound of your cool brown hair and silver accessories, I’d say to look online for a True Summer palette and see if it’s helpful. It definitely helps me save time when going into a shop, as I know not to bother looking at whole rails because the colours make me look like a zombie.

Good luck with the final hurdle!