Help with office wear/senior role and I’m petite.

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Hello I’m hoping some other fellow shorties can help.

im 5ft 3 and really struggle feeling put together at the office. I’ve been wfh mostly so got away with it the last few years but have a new role and will need a full working weeks wardrobe shoes included.

I’m 44. Fairly senior role. I feel my best when I’m wearing tailored trousers with a medium heel shoe (but I’ve never ever found a comfortable pair and tried a lot!) and a fine knit jumper or thin long sleeved bodysuit plus either a blazer or a trench coat over the top.

my problem lies in shoes and trouser length. Most standard trousers are too long for me. Petite versions work well but once I put any kind of heel on they look ever so slightly too short.

I can occasionally wear a nice loafer/flat shoe and that’s ok but honestly I feel more confident in a heel (silly I know but it does help me feel more confident at work)

I like the look of a nice wide leg trousers (not too wide or it swamps me!) so tend to stick with more straight leg. I’ve tried boots but I don’t get the same confidence from a boot as I do a shoe.

can anyone tell me what they are wearing to the office?

I sometimes wear a dress and blazer and I often feel ok with a flat shoe as it somehow feels more balanced?! If a dress is too far past my knee I’m swamped and look frumpy!

I am waffling but what can I purchase? Shoes/dresses/trousers etc? Do I need to give into a kitten heel?

thank you in advance!! 🙏

Good evening! We sound very similar - height, job requirement, I am size 8, pearshape. I always buy regular length trousers to always wear with a heel, and petite size blazer for perfect length in arm and on hips. That way the trousers fall beautifully over 4 - 6 cm heel, rather than look like ankle swingers. Barefoot, they touch the floor but fear not - they look great with heels. I would only wear full length trousers with a blazer, but can pull off ankle grazers with the summer with a blouse tucked it. Generally, go for straight leg or slight flare, not wide leg as it overwhelms my small frame.

I would only wear flats with dress, as the length is not an issue, mainly for a tradeshow or if travelling, so lots of walking or standing. My neutral shoes are John Lewis and LK Bennett Avalina, and a few jazzy colours or metallic or animal print for M&S and Clark’s. I go for neutral blazer, trousers or dark indigo jeans for work, but inject sass with shoes.