I used to work in a corporate environment but have now retrained as a counsellor. The suited and booted look is too formal, but I still need something that looks professional and feels comfortable. I am a size 14 and finances are tight.
This is a request that, with some clever shopping and a little creativity, can be solved easily. What you need are a couple of good dresses and some mix-and-match separates. Next is having a mini resurgence and its pretty tie cardigan and cropped trousers (right) look far more expensive than their true price tags (£25 each, next.co.uk). They are smart without being intimidating. The sandals might be a bit too casual for you, so replace them with a pair of shiny flat pumps, and think about adding a slim blazer (Zara has a great selection from £79, 020-7534 9500).
The cardigan and trousers will work with other separates too, so hone in on the colours and shapes that suit you and build a small collection that will offer many possibilities - a full skirt, a white shirt, a pair of wide-leg trousers and some colourful knitwear should be plenty.
If you don’t have the patience for separates, buy a couple of dresses. They are the easiest way to look good with minimum effort. You can layer dresses over thin tops on chilly days or wear with one of your cardigans when the sun is out. Wallis has a good selection of day dresses at around the £40 mark; its blue chiffon “Painstroke” dress (£35, wallis.co.uk) is especially flattering and hits the tone that you are after.
Colour is a good way to lighten things up, so if you still feel like wearing the trousers or skirts from your office suits, brighten them up with a fuchsia knit or printed blouse.