Help me build a new work wardrobe for under a grand

[booisbooming]

I need some new work clothes. I've been freelance / WFH since covid and I haven't bought work clothes for years but I will be getting out and about more this year. I'm not dragging these elderly Monki jumpsuits out for a 6th year on the trot, and I can't wear cashmere joggers on the bottom half in public.

I work in the creative industries so don't need anything too formal, even for meetings. My style is minimal / unusual shapes. I was all over COS 10-15 years ago for work and I still generally like it but I'm a bit bored of it now. I also like LF Markey, Toast, Arket etc. But I'm a bit out of the loop. Hate frills. Prints - geometric rather than floral/animal.

I'm 5'10 and size 14-16 (let's say statuesque) with Daisy Lowe sort of colouring.

I'd really like some (flat) shoes, a trench or similar, trousers, dress, sweater. Have £1000ish budgeted although obviously would be brilliant if it's less.

Help!

Book yourself a John Lewis personal styling appointment, I’ve done it a few times and it’s fab, really not pushy and I’ve always come away with some lovely things (plus have often also taken down ideas and searched items out on vinted you!)

@Changingplace that's a good idea, I have never done anything like that but will investigate

I’m going to say - don’t book yourself a JL thingummy. You’re way beyond that stylistically if you’re bored with Cos, etc.

Also, and you’ll know this yourself, you’re going to finish your money before you ‘finish’ your wardrobe if you try for more ‘advanced’ labels straight out of the shop, even in the sales.

So … I’d suggest you get yourself over to Vestiaire or other vaguely high end and reputable pre-owned sites and look for things by … who d’you like? Margaret Howell? Sofie D’Hoore? Toogood? Toteme? Lemaire? Teurn Studios? Acne Studios? Rohe? Studio Nicholson? (If you’re not sure browse Net-a-Porter / Ssense / Collagerie to update yourself.) Get the important things - tailored pieces maybe - massively reduced and then buy your basics new from Uniqlo (or similar).

This way you’ll end up with a far more interesting wardrobe that will lend some swagger and make you more sharply defined in people’s memories.

I am a Cos fan but a bit too short for a lot of it. Maybe try Saint + Sofia or Me + Em for something different?

I would avoid a JL shopper. My friend did it. Way too frumpy, and we are in our fifties but stylish!

Yeah, what I need is new ideas. These brands are good shouts. Sofie D'Hoore and Rohe are new on me. Margaret Howell / APC / Acne Studios / Isabel Marant / Raey (RIP) / JW Anderson were always my go-to sales searches (on more of an Arket/Uniqlo budget normally.)

OK, so here are some current outfits I have worn to death and I:

• Navy Monki boilersuit (like the LF Markey Dominic but in a lighter weight), Adidas Lacombe SPZL, COS yellow trenchcoat, Acne Studios Canada scarf
• Hush cords (honestly these are great!), COS orange oversized cashmere sweater, & Other Stories tasselled brogues
• LF Markey colour block sweater dress, black tights (bored now), Acne Studios flat ankle boots (resoled twice, might be time to prise them out of my cold dead hands)

When I'm WFH I wear 100% knitwear and Hoka hiking trainers or Birkenstock Bostons.

So that's the sort of thing I like, but ideally things I have not been wearing since 2019. I am a bit over boilersuits and A-line dresses with flat boots, so I need some new silhouettes. I like a simple shape but with a bit of "ooh where did you get that?!?"

Would you wear pleated skirts?

@TrueFashion I like them on other people but I feel like they don't play to my strengths and would just make me look huge. I'm a sort of Ana Matronic build who would rather dress like Cate Blanchett in Tar, so we compromise on COS.

You do sound like a Toogood dresser …

For colour, and breathtaking knitwear, have a look at La Fetiche.

For difficult shapes - Co Collections.

(All shockingly brilliant, if slightly challenging at first sight. I would die of boredom without them in my wardrobe - and there is never any need to pay full price, unless you need a thing now now now. I haunt their websites endlessly - and the few things I’ve bought from each, mostly in the sales, are outstanding.)

@GhastlyGoodTaste ooh, thanks. Looking at Toogood now. FML it’s expensive! Nice though. Maybe I just need one or two nice new things…

This is helpful so far, thanks everyone. I’m an early 40s “geriatric millennial” if it wasn’t already obvious.

Don’t even think of paying full price!

Unless it’s a beanie that’s the same as one you bought a few years ago in a different colour and you can’t resist and you’ve been wearing it for six weeks now anyway …

One or two nice things …

https://www.vestiairecollective.com/search/?q=toogood

Hmm, are you not just about at the point that you're ready to graduate into your Japanese era? Probably a bit tricky with your height but not impossible, there's Muji, accessorise with some interesting bits from Japan House, source some Japanese carpenters trousers somewhere and maybe magically find some bargain Pleats Please pieces supplemented with workwear staples like Yarmo, Community Clothing, Le Mont St Michel and look at De Toujours for additional inspiration?

There's another British brand I'm forgetting the name of with things like trousers for Dutch tulip fields and similar. Also, left field, Massimo Dutti is going through some changes they don't advertise it well, but lots of interesting abstract Dries van Noten like prints can be found as well as some Studio Nicholson type trousers.

There's another British brand I'm forgetting the name of with things like trousers for Dutch tulip fields and similar.

Carrier Company?
www.carriercompany.co.uk

My days of needing a work wardrobe are over but I like the sound of your style op and I'm following with interest.

That's the one, thanks Flo. Did you ever end up getting those Dutch trousers?

Ooh you sound like me but much cooler. What body shape are you? Would you consider The Fold or is it too corporate / dull for you? I think you could mix in a few of their things in a fun way.

I didn't bo as I couldn't work out the sizing and I couldn't be bothered ordering multiple sizes. I still like them though.

If you're tempted to turn Japanese CFCL

CFCL dresses
All CFCL

Some colour ways seem to be on sale Flo, maybe time to figure out the sizing? Speaking of sales Goodhood's sale is on, might be of interest to OP, few LF Markey bits in it as well.

Send your request to Circler and they will find you some great vintage items. I use them frequently and love what they find for me.
circlerfashion.com

think you might love Justine tabak . . . some clothes a bit too 'country;' perhaps for your work, but lots of great quality irish linen, liberty, corduroy that you don't find on the high street. All made in UK too . . . and great customer service who actually help you choose !

Thanks all! Quite a few new leads to check out here. I might spend a few days drawing up a fantasy shortlist and then maybe you can all help me narrow it down?

Weekend Max Mara wool trench + Acne Musubi crossbody + Uniqlo jumpers + Carel mary janes = only slightly over budget? No trousers but who's counting.

There are SO many APC bags on Ssense that I'm sure some will end up in 70% off. Liberty sale a bit stingy. Harvey Nichols better than expected. More news as we have it!

Sounds good so far. Is part of your haul pre-owned - you’d surely be quite a bit over budget otherwise? Or have you managed all that just from the sales?

I always used to think I wanted an APC bag, until I encountered them in a physical shop. Somehow disappointing - unwieldy and more outside than inside. But I know they’re generally well regarded.

All sales. Yep I've bought and then sold on the APC half moon twice for same reasons. I like some of the newer ones, but not full price.

Yes! I am sure you get a few nice pieces in JL, but you sound too cool for this OP. Vestiaire is good, also on Vinted you get some absolute bargains, some brands I look out for - Stine Goya, Rodebjer, Ganni, The Row. Agree look at Net-a-porter for inspo.