Workwear - please help!

[Creu]

I’m going back to the office more and I’m fed up of trying to think about what I wear in the morning.

Keen to get a few classic pieces that mean I don’t have to think too much about what I’m wearing each day.

Current thinking is that the following would be sufficient :

1. Tailored black dress (mini/knee length not midi)
2. Tailored brown / navy dress (mini/knee length not midi)
3. Tailored black trousers (hardest to find, I want ankle length tapered but not ones that rise up my legs when I sit down. I have one pair like this from gap from 12 years ago but everything is so cropped or wide legged now!)
4. Long sleeve formal top (non iron & fitted not baggy or needing to be tucked in) x3

I like dark colours black, navy, dark green and brown. It’s quite a formal corporate office, so I can’t wear anything too casual or “out there”

Currently looking at items from :

John Lewis
Hobbs
The White Company
Mint Velvet
Whistles
White Stuff
Hush

Happy to pay up to £150 per item (but love a bargain!)

I’m 5’7 a size 8-10 but don’t want anything that really clings to my stomach.

I am also in this position! I feel like I need a bit of an image overhaul as I’ve also finally lost the baby weight and don’t feel the need to hide in sacks anymore. I’ve booked a JL personal shopper in a few months to give me some advice on clothes I’ve never really worn before (trousers, shirts, etc.).

In the meantime I have a great sleeveless mini black a-line dress from Ba&sh, which I can wear with a silk blouse underneath for work, but can also remove the blouse for evening awards dos if needed (it makes it look completely different, it has a deep V neck and I’ve no boobs so it’s not indecent!).

I have navy and brown wide-leg cropped trousers from Cos which are a great staple. Numerous silk vests/t-shirts (shirts don’t seem to suit me), in cream, warm red, mustard, navy, teal, and orange. Blazers in navy, biscuit, mustard, dark orange. Mini skirts in black, navy, and some prints that match the colours of the tops I have.

I’ve found sticking to a warm colour palette suits me and it’s easy to mix and match (you might prefer a cool version). I’d be wary of too much black (unless a dress). I find black trousers can sometimes look a bit like school/retail/service industry uniform.

I don’t think a personal shopping experience would work for me.

Interesting that you see black trousers as work trousers/Industry uniform. Overall I prefer them but I find they can look grubbier quicker.

Hobbs is always the place I’ve done best for that sort of formal workwear. Especially in their sales. Just bought a new black suit from them to replace one I’ve had for ten years. It does pay to go to the store (one of the big ones eg the Covent Garden one if you are in London) and grab huge armfuls of things to try on. And let the sales assistants help and advise you. I bought the “short” suit trousers which the sales women suggested a try, which I never would have done otherwise as I’m your height! But they know the stock really well.

Agree a few classic silk or silk-effect shirts are great - you can wear those with the same black trousers or skirt and still look like you are in a different outfit.

My biggest resolution is NEVER buy linen. Looks wonderful in the store. Looks terrible once you’ve worn it for ten minutes and done anything like sit down in it!

Hugo Boss also does some amazing work dresses that look wonderful and last forever, but they cost a fortune so I tend to keep my eye on the website and spring for something very occasionally on sale.

I am the same, going to a new job 5 days per week in the office. My problem is being petite, easily drowned by pleats, wide legs etc. I would add Reiss to your list, quality is so so, but the cuts are good. Sezane for silk blouses. There are a couple in Boden too.

Uniqlo do some rayon shirt/blouses which I find drape really nicely for about 20 quid iirc. I have an ivory one but a few colours.

I wouldn’t consider any of the shops you mention, @Creu - to me they all seem uninspired and dated.

You could probably buy everything you need from

Cos

But I would be guided by what they’re currently selling rather than your own prescribed list. And pay some attention to how things are styled.

Honestly I would get your colours done before you start any wardrobe overhaul. I did this about 3 years ago and it’s been really helpful to prune out all the colours that don’t work and have started buying things that go together really well AND suit me. I do buy in the Hobbs sale, I like their more casual wide leg suits. Reiss often has some nice shirts also Hush but mainly Winter for work, summer stuff too casual IMO for work.

These are very dated styles, minis into the office, tapered trouser legs, I’m not sure if that bothers you, but you’re the same height and size as me and you’d look much more current in wide leg, even if a slimmer one, and a midi.

have you tried something more current? If yes, and this is what you prefer, then fair enough, but if not then I’d advise trying some clothes which are more current on, and seeing how you feel, you will possibly feel fresher and more up to date.

(Exactly what I was striving to communicate, @Fireside)

Thank you all.

Re: the choice of shops, it was just to say where I’ve looked so far, I’m happy to look elsewhere.

I do have lots and lots of wide leg trousers in my wardrobe and midi dresses, too. I also have at least 20 silk blouses. I just don’t really like any of them. I don’t feel that they suit my shape when I wear them. And if they do suit me, I don’t feel comfortable in them.

I don’t want to wear the current trend, I do prefer what I would see as a more classic style (even if other see it as dated). I don’t want skinny trousers though, I prefer straight or tapered.

I have had my colours done it was really helpful! 🙂

What’s the office environment like OP? Tailored short dresses are fairly rare these days, so I’m thinking a classic professional office like an accountants or lawyers?

Yes, classic professional office. Very formal corporate organisation.

Im not being asked to wear a shorter dress for clarity. I don’t really like midi dresses and already have quite a few.

In that case where you are looking sounds quite sensible. I’d add Jaeger (available via M&S) and Jigsaw to your list (they do some nice tailoring that’s modern but classic cuts and fabrics)

I think you’ll need more than one top, a second pair of trousers if you’re in a few days a week, and also something to layer with as air con usually makes offices cold. Personally I opt for cashmere for stylish warmth, and also have a few blazers to throw on if needed.

Thanks @CaptainCalm- I’ll have a look at Jigsaw. I have tonnes of blouses so just wanted a few more fitted tops. Lots of blazers too that I can wear.

My precious office had ferious AC so I’m used to the layering.

Where is good for quality cashmere?

I work in such an office and visit many more. Even at board level, it is true that I have not seen tailored short or knee length dresses at all really in the U.K. at least, although still very much in vogue in Australia, US and Canada strangely enough. The U.K. office environment has never returned to pre- Covid formality. However some people in the U.K. must wear such clothes as otherwise Hobbs would have folded by now. I also see ‘The Fold’ always have some of this style of thing and they look lovely.

Tailored / tapered non wide trousers are making a come back and are easier for many of us - especially if petite. I have spent large amounts over the years in Reiss etc but a tip I got on here has resulted in my most flattering and inexpensive office and smarter casual wear trousers ever! The H&M cigarette trouser ( not very cropped) worn a size larger than I usually take, with the centre seam ironed out. That’s my tailored but not too dated looking shape. Not too high waisted either which I hate for my tum. However everyone is different but you may wish to try them.

However, pretty much anything goes and I doubt anyone will look at you askance in your preferred style. If I were you I’d be inclined to use any holiday abroad or anywhere in Europe ( especially Spain and Italy) as a shopping opportunity to find what you seek in better quality and style than you’ll find here.

Thanks @EvelynBeatrice. I work for a US based company and the US code dress influence has a strong in our UK office.

I have worked corporate for over 20 years now and each company has had a different style that is acceptable, this is the most formal I’ve ever known.

I’ve got quite a few pairs of H&M trousers and they are a bit too short on my legs (I have rather long legs) Do you have a link to the ones you have? Just want to see if they are the same.