I am the last person to ask about professional looks, but I wanted to caution you about J.Jill if you don't have a B&M nearby. Some of their clothing can skew really dowdy, while some of it is great once you get it on your body. Problem is, the catalog images are ZERO help in figuring out which is which.

Agree with Jenn. Some J Jill pieces can look great, others may not be the vibe you’re searching for. Not sure how their return policy is for you.

Thanks for the heads-up re Jill. I've never seen a store and don't think it exists in Canada.

Angie - of course I *can* order online, but it comes with the usual issues inherent to Canada. Shipping and returns are often not free, and I prefer not to have money tied up for weeks waiting for return credits etc etc. Ordering from Nordstrom is ok , but only if I know the piece will fit. I'll do some looking around online today - as it looks like skirts are not going to be easy to find here.

Lisa-
You might want to consider having a ponte pencil skirt made. Unlined skirts from a knit with a turned elastic waistband would only take 1-2 hours max to make. It might actually be cheaper than ordering from the US.

If you go that route- look for rayon/nylon/spandex not poly/nylon/spandex The poly spandex will pill. Here are some fabric resources https://craftingarainbow.wordp.....tore-recom

Do you have a Melanie Lynn? They skew corporate, but do very good quality separates for real women. You could also check out Danier (which are slowly reopening across Canada.). They have a small but classic clothing line and you might get something mixed media (fabric with leather panels). You might also check Winners or Marshall's - that is where I got my wonderful Calvin Klein work skirt. (Just zip in - check out the skirts - swing by the bags to see if there are any cool real leather bags - and leave, so that the place doesn't make you crazy.)

Examples below from Melanie Lynn. Danier is B&M only for now.

OK, I’m jumping in here to offer a suggestion based on my own experience—buy an Eileen Fisher pant.

I’m not suggesting you embrace the whole EF aesthetic, but a pair of slim, ankle-length, crepe EF pants might be a lifesaver at this particular moment of your life. When, and if, you manage to locate your elusive perfect pant, that EF pant will be perfectly happy to become your go-to travel pant—packs easily, washes like a dream, and goes with everything. And, as a bonus for Canadian shoppers, the EF pant fits a myriad of shapes so it’s easy to order online as long as you size down.
https://www.eileenfisher.com/s.....color=1958

Finding those slim black EF pants added the professional edge I needed when my changing mid-section made finding a decent tailored pant seem like an impossible goal.

Oh, and EF also makes a very nice pull-on pencil skirt and an equally nice slim silk pant for dressier occasions...

JAileen: I actually have had both the EF crepe pant and skirt. Pant is long gone (too small) but I'm not sure if I still have the skirt - obviously never wore it much. But you are right - they are great pieces. EF now though is pretty much out of my price range ( I lucked out on those two pieces at a store closing out sale) .

Carla - I bought a Melanie Lyne skirt home yesterday, and it's perfectly nice, but not long enough. Angie is right in suggesting a below-knee length looking more modern and elegant, and I noticed it right away when I tried the ML one on at home. There is a Danier BM store here again - in an outlet mall - and I never would have remembered had you not mentioned it. I'll definitely check it out, thank you!

Lynn - I sew, and could make one myself, you're right. It will be a last resort though;)