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!

Op, I am following with interest what you are getting. Great coat, bag and shoes and you cannot go wrong with Uniqlo jumpers!

With regards to trousers, I have seen some good ones at very good prices at massimo dutti, and also a bit more expensive but better quality than MD at jigsaw.
Not sure if these are brands you would look at before, but I like how formal looking trousers can be put in the right look depending on the jumpers, shoes and accessories.

@booisbooming I’m also following as I feel similar and an impending new job. I still like elements of Cos but it is not so good as before. And agree on the hush cord joggers. And Liberty sale meaness, though you can get bargains in store in January.

I am looking at some pieces from Soeur which has a good sale. I scan the outnet as well for some ideas/ fun things.

I also do well out of M&S for a similar aesthetic but you do have to have patience with sizing, materials, cuts, but lots is machine washable (young kids here).

Lastly, I find every big town/city has one great IRL boutique and I try to visit them/ shop online. They usually are helpful on the phone in sizing and tend to have decent sales.

I'm really enjoying recommendations on this thread and will keep it updated as I find stuff. Thanks everyone so far!

@Lurkingshark I never have much patience with M&S but I really like their mens Autograph merino crewnecks (size down 1 from your women's size) if they're still doing those? Excellent basic for tall girls (long arms).

Random spot, I'm not going to get this, but for £250 I think this li'l bag would be a smart sale buy for someone and elevate a work look: https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/toteme/bags/shoulder-bags/palmellata-leather-shoulder-bag/1647597323454131

I also enjoyed this from Angharad Jones' substack, good sensible advice within:
https://angharadjones.substack.com/p/15-pieces-worth-buying-in-the-sales

Have you tried Comptoir des Cottoniers or The Kooples? Diffusion lines of designers, See by Chloe, Alberta Ferreti diffusion?

Maybe look at Essentiel Antwerp as well? Some interesting and unusual things: https://www.essentiel-antwerp.com/be_en

I also second Carrier Company and Community Clothing for good basics.

What about Studio Nicholson? On sale at be moment? www.studionicholson.com/

https://www.fronte.co.uk/ saving up for something from here one day

As a fellow 5ft 10 person with similar tastes I do think Cos still great for trousers. I'm not a fan of artificial fabrics but find twill starts to look too tired for work long before it's worn out, so still great to be able to go on Cos, filter to cotton and size and get a decent set of options that'll probably be long enough for me. I ordered 6 sale pairs for work with an intention to probably keep the best 3 at a cost of approx £150 and honestly don't think that spending more on some of the sites linked would make a significant difference to how I look or longevity of purchase. Respect for the bag and coat purchases which are real investments but would still consider a saunter past Cos if you need a few things to rotate underneath them

Haul update! I’ve changed my mind about the MaxMara coat and the Carel mary janes unless they go to >50% off.

I've enjoyed checking out all this, thanks everyone. I'd love a Japanese era but I'm usually too big as a tall 14 top, 16 bottom. Have some great CdG Tao knitwear somewhere. Anyway, I did indeed go back to COS and Arket a bit. The problem with COS trousers is at this point I have already had and then sold on many of them...

I've spent about £750 of the budgeted £1000 and have got: Acne Musubi black crossbody bag, Grenson brogues, a pair of Simone Rocha drop earrings (even though I already have them in another colour ffs), Uniqlo cashmere, various bits from Arket including a green cashmere cardigan and a navy cord overshirt, and a COS cord pinafore.

I'm going to get a Community Clothing raincoat as soon as they restock the green.

Should probably quit while I'm ahead but in addition to the above, I am still stalking the possibilty of final reductions / random discount codes for the Ganni tech backpack (I want the brown one really) for a work bag, and those daft JW Anderson chain link rain boots which I weirdly can imagine wearing a lot.

Or I might return some things and then more cash to play with.

Still no bloody trousers so I’ll just hope everyone is too distracted by my Pat Butcher Simone Rocha earrings.

I’ve been following this thread with interest as there have been some great suggestions. It sounds like you’ve got a decent haul for your money and a clearer idea of what you want, which is just as important.

Thank you @booisbooming for the update.

I am with you on the trouser struggle.

Can I ask about the trench coat? I’ve been looking at one from Soeur, rejina pyo and Marks/acquscutum second hand- but the Community one is nice. Did you have any other contenders as I imagine you did some research in the £100-300 bracket.

If you're anywhere between a size 8-14 @Lurkingshark this Kassl Editions coat could be a contender. Kassl coats are great but usually a lot more expensive (and I suspect you could haggle this one down a bit as well).

@botemp thank you. That is a fantastic coat. I was thinking about a cream/olive colour but will go review wardrobe this evening.

https://www.soeur.uk/products/manteau-copenhague-miel-man1523copenhag24wbei12

is the one I’ve been looking at but no experience with soeur coats, just tops.

@Lurkingshark An APC Gaia for £336 here (you might need to create an account to see the sale) https://www.ln-cc.com/en-gb/women/clothing/coats/a.p.c.-gaia-trench-coat-in-beige-apc0257001cre.html and I think END had some APC too

The MaxMara ones are all £450-550 still, here and lots at Harvey Nichols. I like a few: https://gb.maxmara.com/sale/coats-and-jackets/womens-coat?normal=true&save=false&sort=price-asc-sale&isRefineSearch=false&q=%3Aprice-asc-sale%3AinSales:true

On the high street I had this last year in a different colour, and it's good but not lined. They only have size 16 left but I expect they will probably restock: https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/coats-and-jackets/coats/product.relaxed-fit-trench-coat-beige.0891555003.html

@Lurkingshark I love the Soeur one too, though, I'd go for it tbh

This is a bit drapey for what I was looking for, but another good one here:
https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/toteme-signature-linen-blend-trench-coat-neutrals-p00958930

One last thought, somewhere had the Alexa Chung x Barbours on sale too. Can't remember where but they're nice, especially if you want a hood, so worth a google.

Thank you @booisbooming I’m not fussed about a hood as I am reviving a few hats, but those links are fab- I really appreciate it.

I saw the toteme one elsewhere but I think that one is for an alternative life where I have a pied a terre in an elegant European city.

Yes @Lurkingshark the alternate life is a real problem, very wise.

Guys I promise I won't live-tweet my entire haul but I am going to return the Acne bag. It’s perfectly pleasant but the leather feels a bit mass-produced compared to Acne goods of 10 years ago and for £360 I think it should be more exciting to me. I still love the Musubi style but I might try and get a bigger one second hand and then I might not resent it so much.

However, the preposterous Simone Rocha earrings are already giving deep joy even though I've only worn them on Zoom calls. There’s practicality for you.

Nothing else has arrived yet.

Your LN-CC link made me very unhappy … I’ve had some of my best bargains ever from them - often from designers I wouldn’t have stumbled upon anywhere else. They’ve also made me fall in love with brands so impractical and unsuitable for my needs and persona that I’ve found myself walking around feeling completely foolish for a year at a time. (I haven’t yet got into selling stuff on - I just stoically wear the jeffing bright green puffy thing which refuses to fall apart …) So I’ve been trying extremely hard to ignore all their friendly greetings in my inbox.

You seem more resolute though, so I’m enjoying your explorations.

@Lurkingshark , I'm in Paris ATM and just saw your Soeur coat. Admittedly I didn't look into it much online when you shared the link but I'd sort of had it in my head it was a stiffer cotton drill type and it's more of a fluid smooth type. Quite lightweight as well, it's nice but tbh if it wasn't for the pockets and folded cuffs it would be a very simple coat, it didn't have a lot of presence when on iykwim.

Editing to add: also I'm not sure it would keep out a lot of rain beyond a drizzle.

@botemp thank you. That has helped in the decision making as I was hoping it was a stiff twill with a bit of structure. I was debating trying to squeeze a trip to the London shop on the off chance, but it has confirmed that it’s not quite right. What you described is similar to many car coats I have seen at a much lower price point.

Back to the drawing board and IRL shopping properly.