rebuilding a wardrobe so I don't look like I'm cosplaying as an adult
I just had to do this (SAHM venturing back into the classroom as a substitute teacher). All I owned were shorts and t-shirts and a bunch of fancy dresses I never wear because why would I wear a dress to carline? And don't even get me started on my lack of non-casual shoes!
I also hate (with the passion of a thousand burning suns) going shopping in-person-- the armloads of possibilities, the mild/moderate aerobic wrestling myself in and out of my own clothes and into and out of the avalanche of things that look good on the hanger and not on me, the salesgirls who mean well, but see that I'm older and not the stick-girl I was in my twenties, and who don't know what to do with me.
So what I did was (and I'm 46), so your mileage will definitely vary:
* I found some linen trousers I really liked from Quince and I ordered them in a bunch of colors and sizes, tried them on at home in my own bathroom with my own mirror (so I know it's not a magic mirror like they have some places that make you look amazing and then you go home and you're like, oh no). I kept the ones that fit and the colors I liked, and sent back the ones that didn't work (love those free returns!).
* I also found nice cotton khaki capris from Banana Republic from Costco (more on that below) in dark brown, navy, and black.
So then I had bottoms: khaki, navy, and black, that looked tailored and were comfortable. Now I needed tops.
Amazingly enough, I've had good luck with Costco online for some pieces-- I avoid the polyester/rayon/etc and stick with natural fibers:
* cute (shockingly, because Costco, you know?) cardigans from Gap and Nautica in navy and black (without large branding symbols, because that's not my style)
* flattering and comfortable linen blouses in pale green and seersucker
* cotton gauze shirts with rolled cuffs at the sleeves in white and hunter green and navy
* short and three-quarter sleeved tops with contrast stitching at the collar, cuffs, and hem. They wear like t-shirts, but are polished looking, you know?
So with tops and bottoms sorted, all I need to do now when I get a call to go sub is reach for anything-- everything goes with everything else. I'm not a fashion plate, but I feel more confident and less schleppy than in my usual "uniform" of shorts and American Giant t-shirts and Birks or Crocs or flip flops.
I used to wear ballet flats when I was teaching a decade ago, but a pair of low-top Chuck Taylors in a fun color is my go-to "grown-up shoe" now.
Anyone have any other good sources for "grown up lady clothes?" Pockets are a must, and crop tops need not apply.