<p>Go to NY – get a great wardrobe – see your kid – see her new apartment? What is not to love about that?</p>
<p>If I go to New York, would your daughter dress me? (I’d go in a heartbeat in your situation.)</p>
<p>I think J Jill is still in business. You may be thinking of something Creek that went out of business. (Forgot title)</p>
<p>Coldwater Creek went out of business. Jill is still around, but I have to worn that out OP might not have much luck in there - their clothes run long and big, IMO. </p>
<p>So many CCers with great taste, but I wouldn’t pass up a trip to visit D & have her outfit you. No downside to making that trip, IMO 
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<p>I’m coming along with you, dmd. The OP’s daughter can set up a business! </p>
<p>i know salespeople at BR and White/black. AT on occasion. A daughter who would help me shop? priceless. go for the visit. </p>
<p>Dtr will probably know independent stores with unique tops. </p>
<p>Some ideas for ensembles:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.pinterest.com/SusanKHaynes/stylish-over-50/”>http://www.pinterest.com/SusanKHaynes/stylish-over-50/</a></p>
<p>Substitute out the skirts/dresses:
<a href=“Home - Wardrobe Oxygen”>Home - Wardrobe Oxygen;
<p>These items can be found at all kinds of price points, from K-Mart/Target to Old Navy/Gap to…(stratosphere). </p>
<p>Have fun! </p>
<p>Business casual. Have fun with it! Nice pair of pants, cute top and/or jacket. Complimentary jewelry. Cute but comfortable shoes. Congrats on the job!</p>
<p>I’m of similar age and height. Besides Ann Taylor and Banana Republic, I have purchased some nice things in the petite department of Talbots. But I vote for a visit to your personal stylist!</p>
<p>Think about a trip to visit your D in NYC. But… don’t buy too many items until you know what is going to work well in the new office. </p>
<p>Lands End has some nice dressier clothes. When we had a Sears store in town, I liked being able to make returns there instead of mailing back. </p>
<p>Dumb question - I’m going to sound really dense - but what exactly is a “professional services firm”?
TIA</p>
<p>The Vivienne Files is a blog that may be useful. </p>
<p>Momcat2 - it could mean a firm that offers professional services to other businesses (as opposed to being a supplier of physical goods). For example, legal, accounting, software development, marketing /marketing research. You’re buying their advice, counsel and sometimes implementation. </p>
<p>In this situation, the Professional Service is the largest woman owned recruiter for the real estate industry. So yes, not a “supplier of goods” - they make a boatload of $ recruiting the best of the best for folks like Barbara Corcoran and other multi-million dollar firms (Donald Trump) who want someone else to do the work of vetting.</p>
<p>I will be spending the afternoon hopping from one shop to another using the list of shops noted. Keep 'em coming.</p>
<p>Why no dresses and skirts…ever…mostly because at my height I find I need heels of some form or another when I wear them, and I just can’t do that anymore. I even bought a DVF wrap dress (at an upscale consignment shop) for summer, thinking I’d wear it with sandals. Nope, I look crazy short and lumpy (love the dress). But the second I tried on my kids (cute but not at all comfortable for me) sandals with heels, I looked awesome. </p>
<p>The “downside” to going to NY for a shopping journey and personal shopper (my D)…only the time and expense. But I’ve already (pretty much) decided, should I be offered the position, I will see if I can push a start date out a couple of weeks, and do just that. </p>
<p>For those who inquired, in addition to designing couture gowns and vintage inspired modern wear, my D has been able to start a nice little nest egg by personal shopping with folks just like me. Women adore her because she is not stuffy or hoity toity, and actually listens to her clients. She also has a very keen eye for avoiding the trendy - but still modern - AND knows exactly what works with which body type(s) to flatter. Now if she could perfect her sewing skills (that’s just not her thing, it’s the designing that is her forte - so she works with tailors and seamstresses).</p>
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<p>I am NOT answering for the OP, who undoubtedly has her own reasons. </p>
<p>I don’t wear dresses/skirts because in my head, they just don’t look “right” with flats (I’m talking professional clothes; casual is a completely different story). Many of you will probably tell me that’s not so, but there are precious few photos of models wearing those beautiful business clothes with flats. A heel is part of the look.</p>
<p>I can’t wear pumps for several reasons, primarily because I have a foot/ankle issue which makes it impossible for me to wear a heel of any height. Even a 1" heel causes pain, especially when worn for 10 hours. And my doctor has forbidden heels for me.</p>
<p>So, pants it is.</p>
<p>Well that was an interesting day - who would have guessed that “skinny” pants would be more flattering on than trousers? Of course what i really noticed was much of the flattering had to do with what was being worn on top…and especially where THAT length ended. I did buy one pair of cool “skinny” pants with a riding pant type of stitching that made me feel like I had my 25-year old body again. No bulging pockets either on the rear or on the sides. Still struggling with tops though. More browsing tomorrow. Thank you all for suggestions and ideas. </p>
<p>Great! Did you have anyone helping you to evaluate? Or were you able to see for yourself that, for example, the length of the top made a difference? That’s where I have a problem; I simply can’t “see” what looks good on me.</p>
<p>Both, with help, and without. At one store the woman trying to help me was clearly trying to help herself because she kept suggesting these shirts and tops that were bedazzled. I tried to explain I wasn’t afraid of color, but that jewels were out of the question. She insisted they are “all the rage” in business offices. Oy vey. Last night my D said I should have said they were "sensationa"l and had her find me the most bedazzled items available, and then tell her in a sincerely disappointed tone, that they were “too demure” and that I would have to keep looking. </p>
<p>My suggestion would be a grey pantsuit with pale grey top and grey shoes/bag. Grey is very chic and professional yet not as severe as black. If you dress all in one colour it looks more expensive and you look taller. the more colours you wear the cheaper the look. the old saying is dress in the colour of a Mercedes and you will ooze class. Grey, Beige, Black, Red, White</p>