Returning to work - need new capsule wardrobe and bag

[Kathysclown]

Morning,

After a break from work of around a decade, I will be starting a job in the New Year.

I think that I will need to be dressed in a 'smart casual' way - I don't think it is necessarily suits, but I don't think it will be jeans and fleeces either. I haven't yet visited the offices where I will be based, so I cannot be 100% certain, but this is the feel that I get.......

My current wardrobe is full of my 'mum' clothes - jeans, jumpers, couple of blouses, but not much suitable for this working environment.

I will have around 500 pounds to go and kit myself out with a suitable wardrobe. This needs to include shoes and a handbag (I already have a laptop bag) - I only have very casual cross-body bags.

So, I know the budget isn't great, but I need to make it work until I can use some of the new income to top up my wardrobe in the spring.

I am really clueless, and low on confidence after so long out of the rat race. I am mid-forties, a pear-shaped size 12. When I previously worked, I mainly shopped at Jigsaw, Hobbs, Jaeger, John Lewis etc, with a fair sprinkling of Next and M&S. I would still love to shop in those stores, but they may be out given my current budget.

Items that I already have: brown flat calf length boots; brown suede knee high heeled boots; a decent coat.

I am getting a good hair cut and colour before Christmas, and will also be topping up my make up bag (don't usually wear much, but will need to be more polished in this role).

Any suggestions on bags? Any suggestions on shops to go to for clothes? And suggestions of outfits that I could use as a focus? I am getting John Lewis vouchers for Christmas, which I could use in addition to my budget, but I don't really want to wait until the January sales as I fear I will be just fighting though a sea of inappropriate clothes at that time.

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Momentumista]

How about:
1 x good quality white shirt;
1 x darker colour shirt;
1 x crew neck jumper or cropped cardigan in neutral colour;
1 x black jersey skirt;
1 x black trousers; (these are fab from Asos btw)
Handful of neutral long sleeved tops - plain & breton (Gap Pure / Boden good );
1 x short sleeved wool top layer type garment to layer over same. Try somewhere like Toast.

Sorry that sounds quite boring - but I think if you have boring neutral basics, you can supplement with more exciting bits / accessories.

The Outnet have some good deals on white shirts / black skirts / knitwear btw, especially if you wait for the sale. HTH :-)

[BradleyPooper]

Do you have many accessories? A long sleeved white t shirt can be smartened up with a statement necklace or good scarf, might help blend some of your current wardrobe into your new one? I work from home with occasional meetings so live in black or blue trousers (I don't do skirts) and smart shirts from Boden, John Lewis, m&s etc.

[Kathysclown]

Thanks for the responses, both. I will use that list as a basis for my shopping, to keep me focused. No, I don't have too many accessories - I will try and add some in once I am earning again.

[ChinUpChestOut]

I have just returned to work after a gap of 10 years, too. My office dress code is mostly smart casual, dressing a bit smarter when seeing clients. I am early 50s, size 14 pear shape. Typical outfits that I wear are:

1. olive green suede ankle boots, black or navy twill trousers to just above the top of the boots, a floaty blouse in black & green, a boxy lightweight black jumper or off white floaty blouse loosely tucked in,
   
2. black leather ankle boots (Mango) or black nubuck knee boots, black tights, just above the knee dress from Toast or Cos,
   
3. black suede ankle boots, black trousers, a boxy blouse/tunic from Cos or Toast.
   
   I also have some flat black lace ups that I wear with everything. I particularly didn't want to get back into traditional 'corporate' wear, which I think can make you look very dated. With some exceptions (legal, financial world), the dress code seems to be more relaxed when I was last in the work force. I don't want to look as though I belong in the 90s/early 00s.
   
   I don't know why Cos is working for me so well, but it really manages my pear shape for me. There's another thread on here called "I popped my Cos cherry" - essentially you've got to go in the store and try things on. The website is full of sour faced models wearing weird clothes. The prices are very very good - it's easy to get some smart looking work wear in there. I really recommend it.

[Kathysclown]

Thanks ChinUp - I'll check Cos out. Yes, I am worried about looking 'dated' and mumsy........ will try and keep it classic!

[Fluffycloudland77]

Jaeger do an outlet, they do really good discounts online.

[hollieberrie]

Maybe Zara and Mango? Your budget will go further there and they have some lovely Cos, Hush, Jigsaw type pieces but cheaper.

[CountFosco]

You probably need three tops and three bottoms that all go with each other. Couple of pairs of shoes so you can alternate. Or possibly five dresses? I generally don't remember what my workmates wear from day to day (unless they are particularly stylish, there's a couple I have a style crush on) so assume they are the same on my clothes.

Wherever you buy check out any vouchers, most places seem to constantly discount (Boden and White Company I'm looking at you in particular) but sometimes the discounts is better than others (Boden I won't buy unless 20 % off because I know 20% off is really the standard price).

Really you only need enough for the first month then you can spend a little bit each month until you've got a big enough selection. That's what I did when I started at my current job ages ago.

Agree with others that smart casual is the way to go. I wear smart trousers and a more casual top or vice versa quite a lot. Always wear flats. Never wear make up but have an amazing hairdresser so my cut is always recent.

[InTheKitchenAtParties]

I would start with a smart coat and bag, because these are the pieces you will wear everyday. Look at Zara first for these. Then build your outfits to work with them.

[BradleyPooper]

If you're working inside, no one will see your coat or boots, I'd go for smart tops / blouses / shirts. When you're sitting down at meetings or behind a desk (if this is what you'll be doing), no one will notice your bottom half.....

[piddleypower]

I'd just get three or four great dresses. Phase eight, m&s, linea, white stuff. Plus black ankle boots, from next or wallis. I don't faff around with tops and bottoms, dresses are easy. Most women in my office wear dresses. Add a bright tote bag from monsoon. Should be doable on your budget.

[piddleypower]

There is a brilliant jaegar outlet -sorry for long link www.jaegeroutlet.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-JGRFO-Site/en_GB/Default-Start/?utm_source=Rakuten&utm_medium=Affiliates&utm_campaign=Outlet&ranMID=39578&ranEAID=TnL5HPStwNw&ranSiteID=TnL5HPStwNw-Y7hzy.PUYIRR.G3gWOyjaQ

[HighDataUsage]

Can you book a free stylist session at John Lewis or any department store to get ideas of styles, shapes and colours that will suit you. I get stuck in rut ometimes and tend to buy variations of a similar style so an external opinion might be useful. You can then use their ideas as a template for when you go shopping.

H&M have a smart work section
Try also Zara, Mango, Banana Republic, Oliver Bonas and Reiss.

[HighDataUsage]

Try also TKMaxx, Next and Debenhams for basics.

[HighDataUsage]

Try Finery London very well priced and smart clothes there.

[Brillenbar]

As others have said Jaeger outlet is really great. Other tip is decide on what your base colour is ( navy, black, charcoal) so that it all works together. It doesn't need to be matchy matchy but I still struggle with the idea of black coat over navy trousers

I would then buy:
A coat from Jaeger outlet ther are lots with 40pc off this weekend making them under 150, quality is exceptional
Pair of Boden Richmond 7/8 or bootcut trousers
One blazer
One cardi style jacket (massimo dutti is v good for these)
Skirt or culottes as you prefer and suits your shape
A couple of merino lightweight knits from uniqlo
A couple of shirts ( again from uniqlo)
Two dresses ( cos if it works for you but also Jaeger or Hobbs outlet)
And then go to Marks and Sparks for a leather bag with what you have left when they next have a 20pc off
Clarks also has great comfortable and adequately non mummy shoes

I would be up for the challenge that you can do all that for 500

[Gillybobs]

I'd pick a colour palette first,three colours ( I'm loving navy,burgundy,Ivory right now)
Get two flattering dresses, either a pencil skirt or trousers in your dark neutral, then three blouses/ smart tops. That's loads to get you through first month and then as mentioned you can add a couple of things a month maybe?
M and s great for work shoes and bags or try TK Maxx for great leather bags under 50 quid. One pair of smart shoes in addition to the boots you already have should be fine initially
I love accessories so I'd also get a fab silky scarf and a necklace or two to add interest
Absolutely the key thing is sticking to a colour palette to get flexibility
Good luck and enjoy shopping

[Floisme]

Our work dress code probably says 'smart casual' but it varies massively across the company: jeans and sweatshirts in one section through to trousers and jackets (but not suits) in finance. Can you find a pretext for visiting before you start e.g. is there a team meeting where you could sit in? It would give you a chance to check out how your work mates are dressed.

If you can't do that then I would buy and spend the absolute minimum until you've started. I think H&M is good for basic, inexpensive workwear e.g. trousers with a fair bit of cotton, jersey jackets, round neck cotton cardis in loads of colours, shirts and round neck Ts.

I also think M&S Autograph is good and very underrated on these boards.

And after years of laughing at their website, I'm now also a Cos fan but like ChinUp says, you need to be near enough to visit a store.

Agree with others about a colour palette but the colours need to suit you. For what it's worth, my own 'neutrals' are grey, plum and dark green.

Congratulations on the job and hope you enjoy it.

[BradleyPooper]

The jaeger outlet site is amazing but wait til after xmas. I bought a coat there this January at 80% off.

[Kennington]

John Lewis kin black leather rucksack is great and chic and can fit a laptop
Cos for trousers
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