Please help me look professional and stylish

[iloveeverykindofcat]

Stepping out of my comfort zone.

I'm an academic who usually lives in jeans and t-shirts but have to speak at several 'networking' (aargh) events with 'external stakeholders' (business people) shortly. Dress code is 'business casual'. I'm 5 foot 4, slight size 6-8, with a very short torso and relatively long legs. Olive complexion. I prefer to blend in with neutral colours, nothing too eye-catching. I tried a blazer and skirt but I felt like I was wearing school uniform. What sort of styles should I be looking at and where do I shop? I have smart shoes, they're black and flat (can't walk in heels) with straps.

Well it’s obviously a matter of opinion, @Noodle421. What I think only applies to me.

Some people seem to feel that fashionable clothes don’t look professional? But then - the US government over decades didn’t think that black women’s natural hair looked ‘professional’ …

Personally I’m glad to live in a country where I can dress and present myself exactly as I choose! And do can everyone else.

I think any plain t-shirt in neutral colours looks great tucked into some straight/wide legged jeans or trousers, or some culottes, with a chunky trainer or slip on shoes, then topped with either a blazer or cardigan. It's what I wear to anything academic as a Master's student.

Moda in pelle do nice formal shoes that are stylish

I think this whole thing depends a lot on OP’s particular field. So there isn’t a right or wrong answer here. For some academic areas any outward interest in anything as frivolous as what clothes you wear would be seen as a bit of a minus. Not buying anything since 1990 would be a bit of a badge of honour, type of thing.
I don’t think that’s just applicable for men.

We don’t know what OP’s work culture is though. I’m not endorsing any of these positions btw just noticed that in some departments the fashionably dressed female admins get a discreet raised eyebrow and in others the academic staff try to outdo each other in personal brand statementy or very specifically-provenanced clothes worn at work.
My fundamental thing is to work out (in any style of dress), what colours suit you and know that you’ll always look relatively OK. If not I’ve found whatever you wear that you’ll always look slightly off.

I used to work in a university, I was always shocked at how frumpy academics (even the young ones) were. When ever I put heels or a dress on it nearly always got commented on. You had the rare academic who was interested in fashion, always looked stylish but they were in a minority.

For some academic areas any outward interest in anything as frivolous as what clothes you wear would be seen as a bit of a minus. Not buying anything since 1990 would be a bit of a badge of honour,

Which field would that be? I know lots of female academics and they cover the full fashion spectrum, from those who clearly aren't interested to those who work hard to develop a look that sets them apart from the rest. Because if everyone's wearing Next black office suits then the person in the green top and interesting shoes really stands out. Very regressive to think that clever women shouldn't be interested in style.

Not that I'm saying that that's what you're saying, by the way. But raising an eyebrow or disapproving of a woman because she shows some care and interest in her clothes seems like yet another way of keeping women down.

I think the whole look here is great, different colour palette maybe that OP would be more comfortable with, but if you don't like wearing smart jackets then you tend to look ill at ease when wearing them. The look in this photo is more smart casual. The black suit, etc and a lot of the suggestions here are more typical work wear than smart casual.

Wow this thread took off! Thanks for all the input, I am taking it on board. I'm a sociologist and yes, pretty near the start of my career. I actually love that green jacket, though £350 is too much. Definitely an interest in fashion wouldn't been seen as frivoulous (though it might be ripe for analysis I guess!)

Your instincts are good, OP. I’m slightly taller than you but also a size 6 and also short torso/long legs. Also inhabiting a space in between academia/research and business. Something a bit more tailored and classic/timeless will be appropriate and boost your confidence. It doesn’t have to be plain black unless that’s what you want. Make sure it fits you well, especially in the shoulders if it’s a blazer. Also go for a shorter blazer rather than the longer ones, as I find that the long style looks odd when you have such a short torso.

Anything trendy oversized is fine for casual wear but not professional for what you are describing. You’ll just show up looking like a little kid dressing up in your parents’ clothing, which is not going to make anyone respect you. Sometimes part of being an academic is knowing how to sell your knowledge and ideas to non-academics, and that includes presenting yourself in a way that they are familiar with and receptive to (clothing, language, networking, etc).

Three of the four pictures posted on the first page would only be appropriate if you were giving presentations in the Shire. 😂