Can a navy trouser suit be made to look vaguely cool or lost cause?

[OneDayIWillLearn]

I have to present at a work conference in November and need to be dressed smart/ professional, but I really I don’t want to look or feel dowdy and middle aged. I’m 41 and a size 14-16.

I almost never wear this kind of thing (my job is usually a mix of manual outdoor work which I dress accordingly for and smart casual for meetings). My go-to style is more Boden sweatshirts, bird print or bright check shirts, bright coloured or patterned trainers. I’ve got a navy Boden puffer with rainbow sleeves that I love and a corduroy pinafore dress. But obviously none of this kind of thing is appropriate!!

I did a personal shopping session at John Lewis last year and came out with a navy Whistles jacket and tapered Hobbs trousers which the stylist suggested I could wear as a trouser suit - and I really liked them at the time (I’ll paste links below). However I can’t work out how I can wear these so I feel like me and non-frumpy but also look professional enough!

Would a brightly coloured top/ big Prue Leith style necklace/ some kind of colourful shoe do the trick do you think? Or just look silly and inappropriate?

If the navy trouser suit is a lost cause then I’m open to any other suggestions of a look which is professional/ smart enough for a conference without being a complete frump-out for a curvy woman in her 40s??

https://www.whistles.com/product/180826.html?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=22797692313&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_plt=gp&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22797692313&utm_content=188306982451&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22797692313&gbraid=0AAAAADtW8dtRJNtX3Bd71nfHwY0KHmdl2&clickref=1110luWCHym&app_clickref=1110luWCHym&utm_source=partnerize&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_campaign=easyfundraising

www.hobbs.com/product/linda-tapered-trousers/0224-8618-9845L00-DEEP-PINE-GREEN.html?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=22300217733&cq_net=g&cq_plt=gp&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22300217733&utm_content=171138532490&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22300217733&gbraid=0AAAAADC5o-LsMUVlVhTWQYDLLClnUXEcW&gclid=CjwKCAjwi4PHBhA-EiwAnjTHuZJtc339G0G4eD8YrFfCJVhmOLkqMiKF2S620iG1CILE3FeUlsS9ghoC7asQAvD_BwE

This would look nice with the suit OP https://www.massimodutti.com/gb/roundneck-shirt-with-button-details-l05161961?pelement=56226319&banner=true

I'd go for a silk t-shirt. Palome does nice ones, as does M&S.

With flats of some sort, whatever you find comfiest - perhaps smart trainers, boots or loafers.

Kate Middleton does suits quite well imo.

shell often wear a tonal look, think navy suit, blue thin knit under and either navy loafers or heels.

or go for a more casual look with white shirt, modern gold necklace and loafers/heels.

for really formal, she’ll wear either a white blouse or tonal blouse. Sometimes with a ruffle or pussybow.

look on Pinterest, there’ll be loads of inspo

Judging from my own work, this is deliberate!

Embassy of London have amazing shoes. They are my guilty treat once a year!

At work I wear burgundy with navy a lot in autumn (way before the current burgundy trend hit the stores). With tapered trousers I’d look for a good quality burgundy T-shirt or shirt/blouse and pair with loafers (slim ones, not chunky).

I asked Chat GPT what I should wear presenting at a conference, and it suggested:
dress one level better than your audience
avoid prints
go with a rich jewel block colour for a shirt/blouse/top
check blouse is not sheer under lights
dont choose green unless you know what the backdrop is going to be
check if you’ll be using a podium or clip Mike/avoid clanky jewellery
check if you’ll be standing, in an armchair, or on a dreaded bar stool

so I’d wear the navy trousers and a silk aubergine or burgundy shirt with the sleeves pushed up, and gold jewellery, and shoes I know I won’t fall over in (not trainers)

Kind of, but it's a bit browner than burnt orange. The closest in colour that I have is the shirt in the top left image, but mine is boat neck.
Navy trousers with rust top

My mom was an art major at uni - she would’ve loved this idea!
I was thinking a bright red/white/yellow print top or some combination - like a bold vertical stripe or something in an elegant style.
Then you could do the buttons.

Maybe a cowl neck top.

No …

Aside from the trousers being a bit bootcut/flares the look is very much my style and colour palette

I think red compliments navy blue, or white. Better to go along in your suit and try a few things with it, blouse and possibly shoes and bag. Lots of good luck.

I love the sound of that too. Which brand is it?

It's not a brilliant outfit, but those personal shopping things are so bad for selling the exact same generic work outfits over and over again.

A colourful blouse or a statement necklace is going to make it look 100% more frumpy - that's a big staple for middle aged head teachers and the ilk. I'd wear it with some good shapewear and a decent white t-shirt (uniqlo crew neck is do best one).

If you want to do something different I'd look at going more Annie Hall / Shiv Roy and doing a white linen shirt tucked into wide leg high waist tan trousers.

Have a look at Trinny Woodall’s instagram. She is often styling a suit or jacket and look very cool but in a sort of in control and in charge sort of way.

Brings to mind the main character in Keeping Faith.

She wore a suit and looked incredible.

It was M&S but I got it from a charity shop and I reckon I've had it more than 10 years!

Can't post link so will try photo - it's similar to this but silkier.

Photo of similar top

I wore ecru wide leg trousers, navy blue pinstripe waistcoat top, navy blue velvet blazer to a conference last week, with ankle boots.

I like this and I have also just bought this from Cos which I love, this might work too OP

www.cos.com/en-gb/women/womenswear/shirts/blouses/product/draped-collar-cotton-blouse-white-1303192001

I agree with the t-shirt and trainers idea. Very cool - so long as they are all bright white, and a decent brand (def not M&S)

Add some comfy navy suede loafers and make sure you find long enough pop socks to not show at the bottom of your trousers.

I have that exact jacket from Whistles and I would style it with a boat neck top or a t shirt style thin knitted top. Massimo Dutti or Cos.

I would also say to give it a really good iron as the material crumples quite easily on mine. Also, I would go with a small necklace and earrings. I avoid patterns, statement anything or trainers when speaking.

Hi, I am also presenting on stage at a conference in November and am having a similar quandary. I agree with ditching the jacket, they look too stuffy and you won't feel comfortable. Key is to feel put together and comfortable, then you'll exude confidence. My go to at the moment is a pair of nice trousers (I love Ninepine, so much so I bought 3 pairs! They are the same material as workout gear but looks very tailored and smart, just amazing 😍) paired with a silk shirt in a jewel colour. Simple, smart, elegant. Navy and white is a timeless combination, and I also love camel trousers with a black top. Black trousers and a jade green shirt, or a red shirt would work well too. I am terrible in heels so I wear smart boots. Hope that helps and good luck with the presentation 😊