Fashion ideas?

[SheFly]

GLC - if you have lots of neutral colors in your wardrobe, update with a nice leather belt, colorful scarves (I work at Harvard Business School, and use scarves to dress up cords and a turtleneck in the office!), bright colored jewelry (that is simple, not loud).

As I have gotten older, I've determined my own style - lots of skirts and sweaters (mostly t-necks) and NOTHING that needs ironing (no blouses, no shirts). I can dress up a comfy t-shirt by adding a scarf, layering t-shirts, or putting on a nice piece of jewelry. Boots work in the winter with the skirts and some tights (add color here, too - gray dress, black boots, burgundy tights), and sandals in the summer.

You have the clothes - you just need to accessorize. I've also been in a position like yours - keep it YOUR style, not necessarily what's IN style. And whatever you do, DO NOT try to dress like the graduates you are hiring .

SheFly

[indysteel]

I just saw the suggestion that Muirenn (citing Tim Gunn) posted upthread about having a trench coat in your wardrobe. I haven't bought a lot of new items of late, but I did add two new coats. One is trench coat, the other is a wool winter coat. Both are camel colored, "car length" and tie at the waist. I adore both of them, and I think they've made me feel more jazzed about my wardrobe in general (which often feels pretty stale to me). So, don't overlook your outerwear!

[lph]

I doubt that my friends would consider me particularly fashion-conscious, and I do work at a pretty relaxed place. Still, I do hit on on a good look or two once in a while, and have bought some nicer dressier things recently. I wear a lot of thin wool longsleeved tops that are incredibly versatile. The nicest ones, usually with a zipper that gives a deep v-neckline look good with knee-length skirts, dressy pants, jeans - and I can wear them home cycling afterwards Crew necks look really frumpy on me so I'll add a scarf on those.
I also wear a lot of knitted dresses, some of them wool. The best look on me is sleeveless, since I have big shoulders that tend to pull at a closely fitted dress. My favourite is black and mid-thigh with a loose cowl neck, and looks relaxed with coloured woolly tights and flat shoes, or elegant with sheer tights and low heels. It also looks really cool with my 60's style knee boots.

I'm not going to win any trend prizes, but it's nice to feel I can choose to look stylish enough when I need to.

[limewave]

So, don't overlook your outerwear!

A few years back I had a very high-paying, executive-type job interview--in December. I really needed something new for this as my wardrobe did not accommodate this type of position. After spending the entire day shopping, I finally decided to get a dressy wool coat and stylish boots. I figured that would be the first thing they would see me and it would make the best first impression! It must have worked, I was offered the job! But turned it down because it was a very demanding position--and I wanted time to have a family, ride my bike, and play

[ultraviolet]

Depending on how much help you think you need, or if you're willing to spend a little money on getting help, you could look around in your area for personal stylists. Many offer a Closet Cleanup, or Shop Your Own Closet, service packages that can help you go through what you have, assemble new outfits, get rid of things that need to be retired, and come up with a plan to fill in the gaps. Most charge $200-$400 for this, and it's generally about a 4-hour time commitment.

If you have any particularly stylish friends, you could also reach out to them for help. I've spent years acting as "personal stylist" to many of my friends. It's gotten to the point that most of them try to pay me for the time I spend helping them shop, and I've considered establishing it as a business for myself.

[GLC1968]

Thanks you guys!

So many great ideas! Even just outfit ideas are helping me (thanks LPH & SheFly!).

I think I just spent too much time wearing nothing but jeans and an Ibex Shak (I have enough to wear a different color every day of the week...because when I was an engineer, I did!) that I lost my touch.

I was also a tad surprised when my boss (who is slightly younger than me) wanted to ask a fashion question so she went to one of the three 'fashionista' girls in the office. The thing is, those girls might know whats hot or trendy, but two of the three of them have zero clue what looks good on their bodies. I was shocked at how frumpy looking they both were at our annual party last weekend when both of them have nice bodies to work with. It just struck me that I used to be the one that everyone asked for advice. If they aren't asking now, I had to ask why and my only conclusion is that I must be slipping!

[Veronica]

Do we wear the same size? You could ship some of that stuff down here.

Veronica

[GLC1968]

Do we wear the same size? You could ship some of that stuff down here.

Veronica

LOL, probably! Though my pants would all be too short for you.

Actually, most of the stuff in the donate pile so far is all too big for me, so I'm sure it's too big for you as well. If I run across duplicates in good sizes, I'll offer them up!

I've actually already started a 'sell on TE' pile for bike stuff.

[Crankin]

GLC, did you say you don't wear tights?
That made me laugh. I have totally stopped wearing stockings with skirts or dresses, unless I am going out with DH and/or friends my own age. I try not to wear them to work, as I know it dates me. So, I wear tights from October through April. There might be a day or two in May or Sept. when it's just a bit too cool to go bare legged, so I wear pants.
And that's another thing. Not counting the fact that most people I work with dress like crap, even my boss and the other supervisor never wear skirts. What's up with that? I feel much more comfortable in a skirt, but I wear pants a lot more now.
I finally figured out my style is pretty classic/updated preppy, with some athletic type dresses thrown in. In the 80s I wore suits and in the nineties I still dressed up a lot for teaching. I gradually started dressing a lot more casually in my last teaching job, but now, it seems like the other therapists I work with wear jeans most of the time, which I don't think is OK.

[malkin]

I think I just spent too much time wearing nothing but jeans and an Ibex Shak

Hey! That's what I wore to work today!

I spend a lot of time on my knees in order to get eye to eye with kids so the knees of my pants and the tops of my shoes get worn out. And every day is a messy day for us. If the kids aren't at school, I wear something a little nicer, like good jeans and a sweater with no spots.

[malkin]

I do have a pencil skirt that I have never been quite brave enough to wear. Bright red. Leather.

It may be "professional" but I'm not in that profession!

[maillotpois]

You win. !!!

Right.

[azfiddle]

My middle school encourages "professional attire". A lot of the male teachers wear ties. I wear skirts more frequently in warm weather, but during winter it's easier to wear pants- dress pants or something like khakis. Fridays we can wear jeans and school shirt (tee or polo).

I often find it really difficult to find clothes that fit or flatter- even when I'm willing to pay $$, (which I can't afford to do most of the time). At 5'1" and with a generous bust and very short waist, a lot of clothes are just not proportioned for my shape. Even petite sizes seem to be cut for much longer torsos and fewer curves. Pants are generally easier to find, especially since I've lost weight. And shoes! A bunion/arthritis in my foot eliminate about 90% of all shoe styles as impossibly uncomfortable- especially narrow toes and high heels.

All that said- this discussion is making me want to go shopping for a some new clothes.