Style advice for a petite 45yr old looking to update wardrobe

[NorthernStarlight]

I’m in a bit of a style rut (for the last 15 years!) I enjoy fashion and feeling up to date but am slowly slipping into middle age mum - I wear mainly sweaty betty exercise gear, wide leg/ barrel jeans and knitwear.
The challenge really is that I’m 154cm and weigh 50kg. So most brands drown me.
I’m pear shaped- flat chested with wider hips/ bum and saddle bags.
I have a shopping trip planned in a couple of weeks so would be massively grateful for any style advice please. I’m looking for work, casual and possibly a Christmas dress.
I used to spend little on getting lots of items but feel I need a bit better quality now I’m older.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions/ shops to try/ styles to aim for .

Lots of the smaller top fashionable people in my work of all ages are wearing waistcoat or slim fitting or stretch tops with wide led trousers. This could work.

If you google ‘best petite brands’ one of the first articles will be by Glamour Magazine. (I won’t link because the MN AI filter invariably hides the link and it takes a day of pleading to get it restored.) It will tell you which brands are most worth your time.

I would also say that it will be a waste of time wandering around random shops - you need to browse each one online first and check which items they actually hold in your size at the store you will be visiting. Physical shops are not much use these days - you’re only likely to build a decent wardrobe if you’re willing to shop widely, online, with a tape measure and using all the sizing guidance provided by individual sites.

Thanks both.
You’re right about shops- I don’t go often but when I do, am always disappointed and nothing fits properly. Next and M&S have petite ranges so I will try there. And I think Uniqlo does too.

But, as I said, if you google for that list you will find other established, mainstream, affordable brands and sources you may not already know about.