What to wear as 40-something in an office of 20-somethings?

[BlueRaspberry7]

How to get this right and avoiding being either frumpster or fashion victim?

Usually go for some sort of wide-leg trouser and sweater combination, but keen to mix it up a little.

Tend to go for timeless over trends, but don't want to rock up in completely the "wrong" shape of jeans or something.

Am petite, so baggy oversized styles don't do me many favours. Thanks!

Can you not reframe it as ‘an office of 20 somethings wondering what to wear when they work with a cool 40 year old?’.

Anyhow … Where do you usually shop? (You’ll be aware that oversized styles are fashionable at the moment, so …)

@IWantedThereThereButItsGone that's a great reframing, I'll go with that thanks.

I tend to shop at places that have a petite range!

Wear what you like but wear it with confidence.

How tall are you?

I was under the impression that Me and Em had a specific petite range but it’s not apparent on their site. However they make a lot of daintily proportioned or cropped things, so are probably worth considering if this is your style. I like this:

Me and Em dress

particularly as styled with boots.

If you prefer a less ladylike look Paige has petite jeans and other clothes:

here

And Reformation probably has the widest range of petite clothes -

Reformation petite

so you may find a few things that are perfect for you.

Waist coats?

I like to think of myself as the respected yet eccentric 40-yr old in a young company...

Yes, this

Wear what you like, but make sure it fits well, is a good colour on you, and style it out with attitude, lol.

I like to think of myself as the respected yet eccentric 40-yr old in a young company...

Lol! I am the 60+ year old that's mega cool, I have these bright multicoloured glasses that are so Prue Leith, I wear them with equally bright jackets /tops and black trousers. One of the barely 20 year olds wishes she needed glasses she likes them that much!

Your style sounds cool and fun.

I think the having some stylish, statement pieces that are really you is key to this kind of style. I think a lot of the more stylish people I've worked with have in fact been older. They've often had time to cultivate more of a signature style, and more money and time to get wonderful clothes and accessories.

Same situation here! If you want to blend in then think about wide trousers, not skinnies, and think about footwear. Personally I dress more casually than I normally would for an office job but I don't try to wear the same styles as the kids. Most of their clothes look strange and unstylish to me anyway! Plus they all complain of being cold all the time 😂

It's obvious that I'm older than the rest of the team and I'm fine with that - I feel respected, and the others come to me for advice. Own it!

Usually go for some sort of wide-leg trouser

Third line of OP …

It’s the footwear that can be hard I think . I have boots for winter and trainers but they probably aren’t fashionable. I have some dresses like the me and em one linked and also find over sized striped shirts look smart but not too “business “. One of my colleagues who always looks lovely wears co ords , usually shirt /blouse style and wide trousers . We are in a relaxed office though so smart casual really .