I have zero style

[TheresGotToBeMoreToLife22]

I've recently been promoted into a new position. I am on the senior management team now and need to look professional. Due to the type of industry we work in (and the need to move quickly at times, and walk long distances around our site) it IS acceptable to wear smart trainer style flat shoes.

I'm size 10, age 40, bra strap length blonde hair with blue eyes. I no longer have any clue what to wear or where to shop to look professional and approachable.

Any advise would be hugely appreciated.

Thank you

These types of post are really difficult because you’ll get fifteen suggestions of where to shop and they’ll all send you in different directions. You also give no indication of what your budget is so it’s hard to know what brands will work for you. I personally have quite a good sense of what I like because I’ve worked out my 3 style words ( see Allison Bornstein for more on this). My sister has absolutely no sense of style whatsoever - she’s just not interested. If she was asking this question I’d probably suggest that she go for a stylist appointment at a department store ( probably John Lewis ) and try on a few mid price brands and see what you like. You need a bit of a formula. I personally like wide legged trousers and a blazer with trainers but this is just me. You need to find you ( for reference I like Cos, Arket, Autograph and some John Lewis own brand for items like t shirts ). But your budget might be a bit more bouji than that.

Hello!
What do you currently wear to work?
And yes, like @Divebar2021 mentioned, budget?

I would suggest 3 different work outfit formulas;

1. wide leg trousers with clean trainers, worn with a shirt/blouse with a collar to smarten it up. In winter you can put a knitted jumper/cardigan on top for warmth. Personally I would always tie my hair up with this outfit to smarten it up and keep jewellery simple.
2. long length skirt with smart shoes, plain t-shirt and blazer. Hair up or down.
3. tapered trousers that go with the trainers and smart shoes, blouse/shirt and hair up. Or with t-shirt and blazer.

A shopping list could be; wide leg trousers x1, tapered trousers x1, long skirt x1, blazer x1, blouse x2 (one patterned, one plain?), x3 plain t-shirts, x1 trainers only worn for work to keep clean, x1 brogues/mary janes. A trench coat would go with all of that and all of it barring the shoes could be sourced on Vinted very easily and cheaply!

Have you considered using personal shopper? I tried it once, was less expensive than I thought and I had the time of my life. We brought 3 pairs of trousers, 2 jackets and 4 tops. She matched some of it with clothes and shoes I already had. So now I have 12 work outfits and I love them all. She did it based on my body shape and colours which suited me. It really took the stress out of clothes shopping.

John Lewis offer styling appointments. They have different appointments lengths. I did this recently and it was great. I turned up. There were 4 outfits including shoes and accessories if I wanted. I tried them on said yes or no. Had a drink. The lady packed it all up and I paid at the till.
It takes 90% of the decision making away and in 30 minutes I shopped in a way that would have taken me 2 hours at least. There is an online form to fill in and follow up questions and you can send photos etc of current styles. I highly recommend it. It’s free too.

I have only just bought some flat loafers in the past week for the office and I cannot believe it took me so long. So much more comfortable than ballet flats. In the winter I wear ankle boots.

Thanks all.

I guess my budget has just widened slightly but I feel like I'm starting from scratch so can't afford to spend much too much on any one item. Autograph, John Lewis are probably the right kind of price point.

Thank you all for the advise. I think I have avoided buying clothes recently because I've beon on a bit of a weightless journey and I was hoping it wasn't over yet. I'll check out some of the shops mentioned.

I would firstly work out your kibbe body type and season colours. Then use Pinterest for outfit ideas under your search parameters, ie smart casual+ gamine+ soft spring. This should bring you lots of style and outfit ideas. You can then whittle down the clothes you like and will suit your job/ lifestyle.

Shopping is much easier when you are not blindly flicking through racks and hoping for the best. I'm drawn to my colour season first, then look at neckline and shape/ fit to choose what to try on. Even online where you can filter down colours and style easily.