Thanks for all the tips and ideas! :) You are right about lots of things.
I did laundry this morning and honestly, the black and grey skirt need to go. They are ready for retirement. I take good care of my clothing (line dry, iron, holes and missing buttons get fixed) but I do wear out clothing and while that's mustachian, that's not what people are supposed to do at work.
The black and grey skirt is a thicker fabric and less worn, so it can stay for now. It's true that I already have a sort of uniform - and not just at work, the pencil skirt + top combination is something I wear at home too. Just in a different style. Right now I'm wearing a short black denim pencil skirt + sweater + hoodie + boots. While obviously totally unsuitable for work, this skirt looks much better than my work skirts because the fabric is so sturdy. I need to find good quality work skirts that are not flimsy or elastic.
How did I get all those elastic skirts? The mustachian way. A friend of mine used to be a religion teacher and quit her job ....
It's also true that I love wearing bold colours. I dislike grey, beige and pastel. I am not going to drop bright colours completely, but I need some more neutral / light items.
As for shoes: I've always thought about having a seperate pair of commuting shoes as 'arriving in hiking boots, wearing heels at work' but it's true I could also wear more neutral flats. I'm not walking through a snowy forest to work like
@Linea_Norway :) I am walking across some rough terrain so it makes sense to have outdoors and indoors shoes, even if they are both the same type of shoe. I have a desk drawer that is big enough for a pair of flats but not for hiking boots. Both loafers and oxford shoes sound like good options. From google, it seems that loafers are very much in fashion right now, but oxford shoes aren't so much. I'll see what I can find.
I need a new summer coat as well and I was already planning on getting a classic beige trench coat.
Ear studs are a pretty easy compromise for jewelry. I have a pair of pearl ear studs that were a gift that I hardly ever wear because my partner hates them. One thing that influences me more than I'd like is that my partner and friends absolutely hate how I dress for work and keep commenting and donating 'better' clothes for work (that are nice but unsuitable, like lace tops). They mean no harm but they actively try to influence me to dress more casual and less 'frumpy / old fashioned / like someone's mum' (their words).
When I tell them I already look a bit scruffy compared to others they look at me like I have three heads. They really think I must be the most preppy dressed person in the whole building. Every single one of them is either a creative or works in IT and they just have no idea what people wear in a professional environment. I am not looking to become one of those perfectly groomed, manicured ladies with big glossy hair. I'm not on the cast of Suits and like
@NowClear I have mixed feelings about having to dress up to a much higher standard than my male coworkers. They don't have to do their hair, they wear no make-up and jewelry except their wedding rings and no one cares. Also, I'm pretty sure most of them don't even iron their own shirts .... But I do need to dress in a way that helps my career instead of harming it.
The list of items I plan to buy over the coming months so far is:
- a pair of black trousers that go with everything
- a crisp white or light coloured button down shirt
- a new black or dark coloured button down shirt to replace the current one
- two new skirts to replace the current ones
- a beige trench coat or similar style summer coat
- two pairs of neat flat shoes
I have two pairs of normal shoes in total right now, so this is a big one for me- a light coloured summer dress, maybe a shirt dress
- I really hate wearing jackets and blazers but I should see if I can find one that's comfortable and matches with a lot of things
Wow, that's a whole pile of clothes ... A lot of light colours that will hopefully take the edge off the bold colours I already own. Then, next winter, I'll keep my eyes open for some new cardigans or jumpers to slowly replace the current ones. I had never thought of wearing them over a shirt but that will instantly make it look better. I'll also keep my eyes open for a suit. I don't expect to need it anytime soon but it's good to have it ready. I will choose a classic style that I will able to wear several years.