Slightly 'edgy' smart-casual work wardrobe?

[FlappicusSmith]

I'm hoping someone can help me!

I'm looking to revamp my work wardrobe. I've career moved into a new role and will be in the office 1-2 days a week. Smart casual. I'm early 50s, size 10, 5'7". Flat stomach, fortunately. Wide-ish hips.

I'm looking for a slightly 'edgy' vibe, by which I mean interesting silhouettes (Cos type thing) rather than biker boots. Not sure if I'm explaning it well, but you know those older women who look put together and a bit 'interesting', without looking whacky or like they're trying to hard? Understated elegance with a hint of fashion sense... Not frumpy!

I veer towards wide-leg and barrel leg trousers. Not opposed to dresses. But I have to be comfortable otherwise I just end up not wearing it. So no stiff fabrics.

I don't have loads of money to spend and already have good, if boring, basics in terms of tops (merino and cashmere tops/ jumpers mostly). But I'm lacking things to wear on my bottom half as I've been WFH for years and live in jeans. So I'd like to get a few more bits and would love some suggestions of things if anyone has seen anything that fits the bill? I find clothes shopping (even online) overwhelming and ususally give up very quickly!

I think as you’re quite tall, a wid-ish leg cropped trousers with fitted top (long or short depending on season and chunky / oversize cropped knit would look cool. And relatively heavy shoes or boots.

Yes but consider your hair cut too. Very important if you want to pull together the look you’re describing.
Look at Busby and Fox on line. They specialise in clothes for women over 40 who like fashion but want to look elegant and pulled together.

Hi OP… I think this is one of those quests where you just need a couple of key “ hero” pieces that you can mix with other pieces to sharpen them up. Cos of course is the master of this but other Scandinavian brands like Arket could be good. I’ve also picked up good pieces from places like M&S. I’m personally a fan of men’s tailoring ( shirts and blazers ) that I pick
it up from charity shops. I also like wide legged trousers from places like Studio Nicholson. I’ll get a skinny fit / slim fit shirt and clashing tie and men’s blazer and wear with high waisted or wide legged trousers. Or you i put together a complete tonal outfit. Head to toe forest green or burgundy and then clash with a scarlet bag for example. An avant garde pair of glasses or bag can really sharpen up something a little bit classic. I’m going to refer you to Kat from Finance on social
media but I’m warning you that she poses in a very avant garde way… famous for it. However she is a VERY sharp dresser. Very very cool. I find it very useful for inspiration.

Great, thanks. That's not far off how I dress now, although I don't typically wear cropped trousers much as I don't like having cold ankles. I'm willing to try though!

I think my hair is ok! It's a good cut. Chin-length. But yes, it's a good point!

Brilliant thanks. I love the sound of your style

But yes, those key hero pieces are what I'm after!

Abercrombie and Fitch Sloan trousers. I have a very similar shape to you. The fit and cut is gorgeous. I have in a few of the check prints which I think are more interesting. Then I pair with a Uniqlo crew neck jumper in funky colour. So today was black check trousers, burgundy Sezane belt and burgundy Uniqlo top. Oversized grey blazer for meetings.

Ooh - I like hte sound of that outfit. Just what I'm aiming for.

I'm realising though that I'm seriously lacking in things like stylish/ on-trend accessories...

Soeur is great for this kind of thing, though in the upper price bracket. They’ve got a sale on at the moment, thankfully; that’s when I stock up! You can also find a lot of their stuff on Vinted. Arket are also brilliant at that sort of look and much cheaper.

Yes - I’d also say Studio Nicholson.

And:

Rohe
Margaret Howell
The Frankie Shop
Toteme
Loulou de Saison

It’s entirely possible to dress from these places purely through assiduously following their sales and outlet / pre-owned sources. And adding well chosen pieces from say Uniqlo or Community Clothing. Grooming and accessories will make a difference.

I'd say look at uniqlo as a starting point. Also have a look for Me & Em on ebay. SOme of their earlier pieces were very well made.

I’ve just bought two jumpers from The Frankie Shop, and have an amazing teal coat from
them, too. Good call

Bershka have some interesting trousers like these ones I’ve linked.
I follow and.bloom on Instagram for inspiration. She dresses in a really cool edgy way in the way I think you’re describing. Interesting silhouettes and oversized.
I wear mainly wide leg and barrel leg but also like cotton maxi skirts. The elasticated waist, voluminous ones. I think it can look a bit more interesting than trousers.

Sounds great @cannaethink - I tried on a fab quite volumous cotton maxi skirt in Zara a while back and I'm still kicking myself for not buying it! I'll take a look at Bershka

High st recommendation your post screams H&M don’t be put off my the skinny very young models - I’m 45 and it’s my go to

I'm wearing an H&M top right now that I just ordered!

Someone suggested looking at and.bloom as a SM account and I think she’s an interesting example. If you look at her outfit here the jeans and the sunglasses are the stand out pieces that make this fit along with her hair. You may struggle to get the right level of oversized and slouchy jeans on the high street and sizing up doesn’t necessarily work for all shapes of jeans. So that might be where you have to spend the money. I have trousers similar to this from Studio Nicholson and some slightly similar ones from Uniqlo that are a lot cheaper but not quite as good. The white t shirt I’d get from the high street and the black jacket I’d probably try and get second hand ( menswear in a charity shop or Vinted). The sunglasses I’d maybe try to buy secondhand too. She’s wearing studded ballet flats that I find are too much of a micro trend for me. I appreciate this is not a work outfit but I thought it reflected pretty well the ways you can incorporate cheaper items / second hand items to make a look.

I like missionstyle_ and backofthewardrobe70 on instagram

It's a good point that it's really in the styling/ accessories. I need to get more on board with that as I think I already have a lot of the clothing I need in my wardrobe (bar a few pairs of trousers and maybe a more 'on trend' shape of jacket), but it's the styling and accessories that's lacking.

Oh I didn't get the feeling that BOTW is what OP is looking for.
The OP already sounds quite edgy and is looking to elevate that.
BOTW is not edgy at all, verging on frumpy imo - and incredibly smug and annoying

I don't need to be smart at all, but find the Uniqlo barrel leg trousers great, they have lots of colours etc...I have them in green and grey so far. They're not actually jersey jersey, not like joggers or whatnot.

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E475344-000/00?colorDisplayCode=39&sizeDisplayCode=003

@Divebar2021 Great call re. and.bloom. I disagree with studded ballet flats being a micro trend They're really mainstream, and have been around for several years now. In fact, am not sure if and.bloom is wearing the Alaïa ones, but they've been so influential, that I think they can be considered a modern classic. Should OP decide to get something similar, she'll be able to wear them for a few good years to come.

@FlappicusSmith On a similar note, if you like this kind of shoe and are looking for more ideas, do check out Le Monde Beryl and Dear Frances. Again, both are on the more expensive side but they do wear incredibly well. They also turn up on Vinted and other similar platforms. Joseph have great sunglasses, and again, if you don't want to pay full price, keep an eye out on Vinted. It's worth remembering that if you're looking to put together a new slant to your wardrobe, it's about being slow and steady - adding pieces carefully, selling on what doesn't work, and waiting for the pieces you want to appear to do so. You mention wanting to look 'edgy'. My read of what you're looking for is great basics with jackets/bottoms with a sculptural quality. Play close attention to proportions and fit. Texture will also be important too, particularly if you choose to dress tonally or even in one shade.

Didn’t realise we had to run suggestions via you… I guess op can make her own mind up.