u/oobananatuna

My post on finding a new work/interview wardrobe the other day got a ton of attention and advice, so here's an update after seeing a Nordstrom personal shopper, as many people recommended.

I ended up with

- black and navy pants

- a matching black blazer on order

- a pinstripe shirt

- 3 ruched tops

Plus

- blue knit top from Zara

- kept the dark brown pants, blue top and green shirt from Uniqlo for now. (Most commenters liked the first two, and the stylist said keep the green shirt.)

I really loved the way the ruched tops hugged my waistline and they were only $40 so I bought all 3 designs they had. However, my spouse thinks the spotted one is inappropriate for work due to being reminiscent of leopard print combined with the tight fit and slight off-shoulder. I'm also considering returning the brown one due to the color. Thoughts?

I've also ordered a stitch fix box to try. I tried Abercrombie, as many people recommended their curve love range, but unfortunately they didn't have a single pair in my size range in any color or style yesterday.

I also learned that I have an anterior pelvic tilt that is correctable pretty quickly with exercise and is causing some of the fit issues, so am working on that.

Thanks to all who gave advice! And yes I will also be seeing a tailor!

IRTG

Camera is at chest height in the first photo (all black) but was a little low in the others from the same set.

I originally thought I was soft natural, but I think I suit gamine lines best. I'm trying to find a new work wardrobe and thought understanding how others perceive my shape might be helpful! Pictures include weight gain over the past year or two.

Edit - Heard loud and clear!! Burn the grey pants, then throw out everything else except maybe pic 7, stop buying small floral prints, and get a personal shopper.

If anyone is keen to offer more advice on office wear styles that might work for me, here are some silhouettes I like outside of work. The pencil skirt isn't my usual style but I thought it would work here. The wrap dress is obvious, but the rest I feel are difficult to translate? Any ideas? https://imgur.com/a/yHhCHwk

I realise my shape looks completely different - in round 1, I was solely aiming to dress professionally, not highlight my figure, but I'm gathering it's necessary to do so to look polished.

----original post----

I really have no idea what to wear for interviews and potential future workplaces, roughly in the biotech R&D space. Everything I try on looks wrong. Really appreciate any help!

Pics 1-4 (***6-9) new shirts and pants from uniqlo (2 pairs). I tried 1 size up and down for everything, so these are definitely the best fit.

Pics 5-8 (***1-4) new pants with shirts I'd wear for academic conferences (all sleeveless floral), feat. ill fitting old blazer.

Pics 9-11 (***5,10,11) some old work fits. Pants now too tight as I put weight on this year, but wanted to show the shape/style I'm used to.

Pic 12 a blazer I tried on at Jcrew.

I have so many questions, but the main ones are:

- advice on shirt tucking, collar, styling etc

- do the new shirts and wide leg pants drown me together? Should I go slim-fit instead or can I make these pants work?

- are the sleeveless tops good for business casual with a blazer?

- what colour, style etc blazer would look good with these fits? I tried 4 stores and only found the blue one in the last pic, and it looks all wrong imo.

- shoes??

I'm in my 30s and 5'4".

Thanks in advance!!

***edited to fix pic order