Special style items you’d buy if you could or wouldn’t be without

[SilverBirch4]

I’m incredibly lucky to have just landed my dream job and with a significant pay rise. This will enable me to start shopping in a wider range of places (until now been mostly next, some phase eight/hobbs for work). I’ll have about £1k a month extra and so want invest it wisely.

I’d also like some nice jewellery, maybe a nice belt or a watch but I don’t know where to start or what is seen as too showy etc. I’ve never owned anything designer apart from 1 mulberry handbag. Will everyone think I’m trying to hard if I buy a Gucci belt for example?

Work wise I do need to look professional but I don’t have many work or casual clothes as I recently lost 2st. I’m 45, 5’ 4” and a size 12.

Any general ideas of what I should consider / avoid or specifics to look at gratefully received.

Congratulations!

It depends what your new job is and in which sector? As someone who works in financial services there is still something of a culture of understated designer bags. Mainly though people are well dressed, well cut and maintained clothes, stylishly dressed but not overly wearing labels. Will you need dinner or black tie style outfits? Maybe buy some good quality basics to start and then add in pieces when you see how it goes?

Agree we need to know more about sector and also formality. I'm in legal sector and my favourite professional workwear brands are probably the Fold (for suits/tailorings) and Sezanne (for more causal but lovely pieces).
Do you have a nice coat?

Oh yeah and congratulations!!

Exactly this. I see very few labels (if any) and certainly not on anyone senior. It’s much more important to wear well cut, well made, quality clothes and shoes etc. And be well presented (so clean, ironed, polished etc).

Thank you to everyone so far. It’s financial
services, London based, but back office so professional but not generally client facing. Might need one or two evening pieces but mostly office wear and wfh bits.

I’ve not had this to splurge on me either so the first thing I bought was sweaty betty gym kit 🤣.

I don’t really wear skirts or do high heels but otherwise open to most options. A wrap dress or wide trousers or dark jeans at home and blouse have been my staples to date.

Your staples sound good (assuming you like them of course!) I’d add some cashmere/wool knitwear, a silk blouse/shirt, a good quality cotton and or linen shirt. Maybe a fabulous blazer or jacket? As for shoes, pointed flats, Chelsea boots (either flat or with a small heel) and smart trainers are my go to but it doesn’t sound like trainers would work for you. Totally agree with the understated designer bag, ditto belts, no large visible logos

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/clare-chambers-harley-street-whistles-jewellery-dna-b2811521.html

Here's a good article regarding stylish professional wardrobes, with good basics to mix and match, and spend a little more on good accessories. So your instincts for a good watch, belt and perhaps shoes is bang on. I wouldn't go too flashy with logos though, to me it reads the opposite of classy.

I would work on the wardrobe first, and then make a yearly (by month) plan for nice purchases to add to your wardrobe. A good coat and suit might be your first purchases, you might get some good quality in the sales.

I would love to wear trainers occasionally but have know where to start with them - I own some green Sambas I love.

Any suggestions on bags/belts etc nice pieces that aren’t too designer?

I’ll look at the Fold as that sounds good.

Super helpful.

Definitely get the Gucci belt!

As regards stylish but not ridiculously-priced “designer” bags this is a good source of ideas:

The British-made bag the Princess of Wales and I love, plus 10 other brands to know
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/d184c1be3467d74e

I know this wasn't in your op but think about a mini splurge on a fragrance or two for work.

Congratulations!

I would see if others are wearing trainers, and if so, what sort, before you add those to your wardrobe. My office is very informal (except when client facing) so sambas would be welcome, others will be shoes/boots only.

Fold is great and the shop (there's two in London, guessing that's where you're based) will do alterations for you. We're the same height and they sorted me out!

Thank you everyone - so helpful and for the congratulations. I’m very excited and a bit nervous.

Will have a look at all the options. Any other clothes/shoe brands I should try would be good.

Ps. I did buy myself a perfume I’ve been looking at for a while when I found out so have part sorted initially at least 😊

For jewellery, have a look at Georg Jensen.

Absolutely not. Beyond tacky. Especially in a Financial Services work environment.

I am a bit clueless about putting items together and don’t have much time. So when I can afford to buy a new outfit I go to Reiss, Jigsaw or Mint Velvet, pick an outfit that I like on a mannequin and buy the whole thing.

Congratulations on the new job! I think a Gucci belt sounds like a great way to celebrate!

Currently lusting after this coat.

But
a) it's too expensive and
b) i'm short

However, if I worked in corporate I would find a way to buy it and wear it!

Congratulations, OP! A few years back, I got a substantial promotion and had a similar 'problem'. What I will say it that it cost a lot more in money and time than I thought it would, until I had a fully upgraded capsule wardrobe. Again, though, a lovely issue to have!

Yes, beautiful modern classic jewellery (and watches!) from Georg Jensen is always a safe bet.

If your style is a bit more edgy, have a look at jewellery by Shaun Leane.

Or less of a big name, look at Karl Karter of London Rocks. His pieces are all handmade in his studio on Leather Lane (Hatton Garden). When I started my previous job, I commissioned him to make some earrings for me to celebrate. We designed them together, chose the stones etc and he made them by hand so they are unique to me and a one-off.

I wear various styles/colours of Walsh trainers to work although it’s my Nobull (allday knit) trainers that I always get positive comments on whenever I wear them (in or out of the office). I have a pair of Flabelus red velvet Mary Janes with me in my bag if I need to quickly swap into something more shoe-like. And if I really have to wear ‘proper’ shoes I tend to wear either Tod’s loafers or something from Tracey Neuls.

Depending upon your style some Me+Em outfits would be nice.

Even when I earned more than I do now, I kept my work style very much Cos style, pieces from Hobbs, Jigsaw, John Lewis own brands. I like to mix and match a statement shirt, a few pieces of statement jewellery and a funky shoe. But that’s my style!

I would say no to a Gucci belt in financial services, not the vibe in the firms I’ve worked for!

I would think about your casual wardrobe too, treat yourself to some nice out of work bits. Not sure if you will work from home but nice to feel smart and put together even then.

Thank you everyone - so helpful!

As a pervious poster said it’s a lovely problem to have and I’m super fortunate so going to try enjoying it.

Will definitely get a few nice bits for casual / wfh too at some point.

I decided to try to start with find some shoes I love as I think that will be the hardest part and what I struggle with when putting outfits together most.