Early 30's fashionista...help!

sistafromanothermista

I tend to struggle putting an outfit together IYSWIM. Can you kind people post up some images of things that fit the criteria?
I see lots of nice things but can't seem to pull it all together!
I'm 5' 5" size 10

sistafromanothermista

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Depends on your work environment and your role. One good maxim is to "dress for the role you'd like to be promoted to". In most sober/conventional office environments that precludes jumpers and cardis if you don't want to be confused with the office secretary/PA/junior admin assistant.

M&S, Next and Oasis sell fairly reasonably-priced work-wear. Buy good-quality, not-necessarily the latest fad foot-wear.

I worked with one young woman who had a dress/trousers/skirt and jacket all in the same colour and fabric which she rotated and wore every day. Always looked really smart and didn't cost an absolute bomb to put together.

I want to be that person! :cool::rotfl:

bagpussbear

Next is my go to shop for workwear generally, I find Zara too pricey for my budget.

BHS also have nice stuff.

Buy some smart trousers, team with blouses/shirts and cardigans, or nice knitted tops.

Here's a link to a top I bought a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.next.co.uk/women/tailored-looks/new-wave/18

Teamed with a pair of black trousers (I bought the black one the model is wearing), it looks very smart.

maman

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Depends on your work environment and your role. One good maxim is to "dress for the role you'd like to be promoted to". In most sober/conventional office environments that precludes jumpers and cardis if you don't want to be confused with the office secretary/PA/junior admin assistant.

I would have agreed with you a few years ago when 'dress to impress' always seemed to involve a jacket. I still wear jackets sometimes but find a softer look with a short cardigan, especially with a dress or pencil skirt is becoming very common.


I've stopped wearing trousers for work and wear opaques instead but as OP's office is cold then I can see they'd be a good idea. Another idea is a scarf to add a bit of colour and help to keep warm.

mildredalien

I like Next and Dorothy Perkins for workwear - I don't have to be too smart though so can get away with a more casual top and smart-ish trousers. If you buy a couple of pairs of trousers/skirts depending on your preference in neutral colours and get a few tops and cardigans in different colours you should be able to mix and match.

My work outfits are often something like this with a cardigan over the top:
http://www.next.co.uk/women/tailored-looks/smart-jersey/9

sportbeth

I have a "collection" of about 7 brightly coloured jackets like this :-

http://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/outerwear/casual-blazer-c358002p1751020.html

Which I mix and match with different coloured tops, (meaning that black is a staple!) they're smart enough to wear with a simple black tee and skinny trousers and zara do great brightly coloured cigarette pants that you can buy throughout the year and mix up with a cream top/jacket or navy/black. That way you can wear slipper shoes or heels if you're on a night out.

Also consider looking at a brightly coloured handbag from zara/next/topshop to pair with a black suit, it livens it up enough to give it an edge.

I'm lucky to be able to go to work in a pair of smart skinny jeans as well so the jackets are a godsend to ensure that I don't look like I'm dressed for a trip to Tesco when I'm at work

squashy

Dresses are your friend! I get mine mostly from Tesco. I work in a school front office and it's pretty chilly as a constant through draft.

I go for smartly patterned jersey dresses or tailored suit style ones with black, grey or navy opaque tights. I layer up with long cami vests from H&M which don't add any bulk and soften lumps and bumps a bit, while adding warmth. I have a couple of plain long sleeved tops to wear under sleeveless dresses. I then have a few little "twinset" type cardies in different colours, some jackets and some funky/smart cotton scarves which help exclude chills! I usually wear mid height heels.

I do have the odd pair of trousers and a couple of skirts but love my dresses- I think they look classy yet un-boring!

H&M for basics/layering
TK Maxx for dresses too.

Something like this i might wear with a bright cardi for example http://www.clothingattesco.com/dresses/f+f-limited-edition-aztec-print-crepe-shift-dress/invt/jg411248&bklist=icat,4,shop,catgwomens,womens-dresses

Or this with a 3/4 sleeved white top (or even white shirt) underneath http://www.clothingattesco.com/dresses/f+f-textured-panel-colour-block-dress/invt/br411235&bklist=icat,4,shop,catgwomens,womens-dresses

This is lovely (I might order one!!) http://www.sainsburys-live-well-for-less.co.uk/tu-clothing/products/women/stripe-dress/