I've definitely been more drawn to simple and minimalistic and even neutral colours recently - I think I posted about this a while back. A combination of them having been more on trend and therefore more visible recently and the fact I spend a lot of time looking at mens style blogs and social media and looking at menswear. (For work.)

Jersey dress with smartish cardigan would seem to be a good default smart, professional but not too overdressed look. (It's why I was a surprised you passed on the nice red jersey dress at the last clothes swap.)

I think shapes, silhouettes might make a difference here - perhaps a straight dress rather than faux wrap ones might feel more modern.

One outfit that I'm finding works well for me at the moment is black cotton wide wide calf culottes with a white jersey top and a bright red cardigan. I know it's a bit 'nice colourful top with black trousers' that Trinny & Susannah are so against, but the shape works. I tend to wear it with gold trainers or brogues but loafers also work.