Hi Girls,I'm about to go into consulting at a big 4 firm, after many years in civil service /industry. I'm looking for some advice. In my current and previous roles, I've always made the effort to look tidy, smart, professional etc - wearing well cut suits with skirts, heels, hair done neatly, and non-obtrusive make up. However as the work hasnt been 'client facing' every day, there wasnt the same pressure to always look perfectly polished as I am expecting there to be in the new job.I've never had a problem before with looking smart and polished for work - but at the same time I've always had a short commute, driving myself not more than a half hour from home, plenty of time in the morning for hair/make up etc, and have also had my own office so was able to store spare heels / suit jackets etc in work.In new role I'm going to be doing long hours, will prob be trekking across London on foot and on underground in all weathers after uncomfortable commute by train into London (or potentially further afield), while also having to arrive at clients looking polished and professional. Unlikely to have own office space (hot-desking), or to even know what location I'll end up in by the end of the day. From your own experiences are there any good tips you can share about how to stay looking polished and remain comfortable? Thanks girls! (or guys who have suggestions too)Katy

Hello KatyQ,My advice is to be yourself and wear what you feel comfortable in. In consulting, the best tip is to be able to "suit" your clients - they're the people you'll be working with every day, and you need to fit in and feel comfortable around them. Most of my female clients don't look perfectly polished - they're normal women with busy lives, and probably have the commute to.As a consultant, I've never worn a suit - dresses and skirt / top combos that look smart (but don't crease easily!) are my all time favourites - and I get plenty of compliments on my wardrobe, so I must be doing something right. I tend to go for tops with a bit of stretch that keep their shape, avoid shirts because they looked creased straight away, and, keep heels at the client site because you'll be back and forward there most days anyway.Leave your laptop in a locked draw every evening, use your blackberrry instead and invest in a nice laptop back and then it's not such a burden to have to carry it around, if you do have to take it with you.Good luck with the new job,T

In my opinion, if the client comments on what you are wearing, then you are wearing the wrong kind of outfits.

Helloo? It's all about the confidence

It is so lovely to read a thread like this from a woman with good conventional values. Rather than the man-bashing you hear on the news from nu-labour left wingers and the like.KatyQ, I've sometimes seen women wearing trainers into work and then stepping into shoes just before they get to the office, maybe that could help you?Natural fibres like cotton also help with breathability too.

A woman with good conventional values? Or a cosmo-girl?

Cosmo girls are the worst type. KatyQ sounds polite and friendly though so I don't think she's one of those.

KatyQ - I'd second much of the advice you've been given here. Keeping shoes at work - or having a bag large enough to accommodate them - and then arriving in trainers or flat shoes is quite accepted. Trying to buy clothes that travel and wear well will save you a lot of hassle. Things that don't crease and emerge from your suitcase looking presentable are generally good as travelling is then much less stressful and these items are also likely to still be looking good at the end of a long day.I agree with the comment that you should dress to fit in with your clients, with the caveat that I'd say try to be one of the smarter dressed people on client site. It's never a good feeling going into a presentation or meeting and feeling like you're a little under-dressed - and in consulting you never know when you might suddenly have a meeting with the top brass that hadn't been scheduled. But don't overdo this, you don't want to look like you're trying too hard and alienate the staff from the client organisation. Good luck in the new role - and I'd love to see you write a thread on here in a few months' time with your observations of the similarities and differences between life in the civil service and in consulting!Tony RestellTop-Consultant.com

thanks everyone for the advice. Is much appreciated!Going shopping at the weekend to treat myself to few new work outfits, and will keep your advice in mind for clothes. I'll also look for a suitable easy- to-carry but professional looking bag for carrying laptop and potentially shoes. Thanks for all the encouragement too. Am really looking forward to the new role. Preparing for it (even if just shopping for new work clothes) is getting me apprehensive but excited about it. Thanks again. :-)Katy

The best female consultants I have hired and work with everyday all keep themselves tidy and trim, professionally dressed and they let their abilities do the talking. Which it does.We do have a couple of clothes horses and I can't help but think that too much vanity actually detracts from their actual strengths.In any event, be yourself, be brilliant and enjoy yourself.

Make sure you select the outfits that bring out the curves, else I will look away!