Lost my style working from home. Help an early 40s, size 16 out with flattering, youthful looking outfits for client meetings!

[neverenoughwine]

Hi all,

I'm in my early 40s, and seem to have lost my way with what to wear especially a smart, cool, effortless look to the office/client meetings.

I've been working from home for the last 4 years, but have some client meetings coming up soon (Big clients too, think prestigious Touristic places in London!) I always have my hair and make up done for the camera and a smart dress anyway, but in person, I feel I'm maybe a bit too frumpy?

I'm in my early pregnancy too, so I'm also feeling a little uncomfortable.

I'm usually a dress, tights, boots, kinda woman!

Please give me ideas. What would you wear?

I commute in the train and don't want to boil on the tube 🤣

Thanks all.

So … You’ll be able to judge how far non-maternity clothes will work for you going forward - but in normal times I’d suggest this brand. And for early pregnancy this might be perfect. Very smart in a completely effortless way - with plenty of fabric to spare. Their sizes ostensibly only go up to a 14 but they’re very very generous so I can almost guarantee this would fit. But have a look at the rest of the site, too. (You don’t mention a budget but they have impressive sales.)

https://www.studionicholson.com/products/utah-top-in-archive-stripe?variant=43320464081049

Budget please? Even on sale that Studio Nicholson smock seems incredibly expensive.

Following with interest because I'm in a similar position, though not pregnant. I've gone back to COS after a few years away, and I remember their A-line dresses were brilliant when I was pregnant. LF Markey and Meadows have some good pieces if you like boxy cuts.

It's easier in winter though when you can do boots and opaque tights, isn't it? I can never get comfy summer shoes right and just wear Birkenstocks for three months. There must be a better way.

It isn’t on sale.

If you wanted suggestions and stated a lower budget limit I wouldn’t have suggested it to you, @Lentilweaver . The OP has not, so far.

(And I, to be frank, am happy to choose my clothes regardless of your opinion on prices.)

Meant to say above, SN knitwear used to be very, very good - I bring out the same jumpers every Winter and never want to take them off. Presumably for reasons of economy they’ve started mixing wool with cotton or other materials - so now I take extra care to check fabric content. And I often buy in their sales but might buy full price if I urgently needed something.

Oh I had this issue recently, minus pregnancy. Things I did:

• Followed a few people on instagram, Lydia Jane Tomlinson is good for how to put outfits together
• looked at my wardrobe to see any gaps
• got my colours done one line, £35 via style me happy on IG. Life changing frankly, well worth it. I know what suits me best now
• bought a nice smart bag

my go to outfit now for the office is black smart jeans with a t shirt and blazer. For the office or client facing I swap the jeans for trousers, the t shirt for a Hobbs or sezanne blouse and wear brogues.

enjoy the process, it can be fun!

I would always suggest trousers, top, relaxed blazer for a go anywhere, meet anyone look. Linen in summer heat, obvs, warmer fabrics in winter. Gives you the option to mix and match, put layers on and off, use jewellery or scarves to change it up...
You can even wear the blazer with a maternity dress once you're further along and opaque tights are an option. Moccasins/Loafers are a good summer alternative to boots if sandals aren't an option. I work for a big corporate and lots of women choose to wear those.
posted a photo I found online of a look for you to consider. It's from https://dressedformyday.com/ who has some good style guides.

I had to replenish my wardrobe in my fifties when I started a postgrad course.

I did absolutely none of the things you did, @UsernameNotAvailableNow - except buy a (capacious) bag!

(But I’d previously had a very sober professional wardrobe so it was a delight to go in the opposite direction.)

Anyway, other places OP might look …

Costly:
Fantastic shirt from Alemais. Slits at the side, so … Could be glorious for meetings / gatherings around Christmas. But actually linking because several of their tops / dresses have generous or expandable middles.

Not:
Red dress from Community Clothing. Over Winter I can completely see this over a thin red roll neck sweater and red twill trousers. Would be magnificent. But all their clothes are worth considering for work at home or outside.

I'm in a similar position minus client meetings! Not 'out' as pregnant at work. Not yet glorying in the bump.

Mostly wearing long floaty dresses and trainers but for client meetings I would wear with loafers and a blazer.

Also jeans or cropped or wide-legged trousers (black, navy) plain vest or tshirt in nice fabric. Jacket in contrasting g
fabric or pattern.
Suspect the waistline isn't going to allow that for long!

Would love some other ideas!

I made a capsule wardrobe for officewear. Cigarette pants, slacks, smart jeans, pencil skirts, a handful of smart basic dresses and a large selection of blouses. Then 3 jackets. All in black, camel and white. Get basic coloured trousers and outerwear, then be creative with blouses!

It's easier to keep up with trends by buying one piece to go with many classic items. Trouser cuts don't vary from trend to trend usually, but tops and shoes can be kept up to date easily.

These are some of my favourite pieces:
Zara Ruffle Blouse
Wrap blouse
Vivaia shoes
Warehouse blouse

This wardrobe staples edit by RIXO
and the workwear edit by Hobbs
And the holy grail Vogue essentials edit

You could try looking at Beyond Nine... clothes designed for pregnancy and beyond. Some items are too casual for work but they have some lovely dresses, trousers, jumpsuits etc

https://beyondnine.co.uk/products/milly-jumpsuit-navy

Marking my place!

Really sorry - but those are supremely basic clothes, @CatMattress - surely hardly something anyone who is already working would need guidance on?

(I always assume, perhaps mistakenly, that the purpose of S&B is to suggest things people might not already have found for themselves …)

Rude. She wasn’t making a suggestion to you. OP might find it helpful for all you know.

She asked for looks, not brands. Sorry I was answering her question as I understood it and not what you perceived it to be. Without knowing her budget, figure, height or colouring I didn't want to get any more specific.

OP, perhaps you could let us know the above for more 'tailored' suggestions to appease our country cousin and her notion of what's acceptable in S&B