What works for you at work? Help needed to compile a working wardrobe...

[MrsSeanBeanIsEmployable]

I am a SAHM of 2 years who is returning to work in March. I have lived in casual clothes for the past 2 years, and only have a few remnants of my old working things left. Namely one Hobbs skirt which I think I shrunk in the wash (which is now a bit too fitted in the bum), and 2 shirts, one pink, one white.

I will be in an office environment, so need reasonably smart things. Now I will be earning again I can afford to spend a bit more (ie Hobbs/LK Bennett rather than New Look, although I'm not a snob and certably wouldn't rule out any NL bargains)...

I am size 12, 5ft 5.

I would like a suit, separates (skirts & tops), accessories and shoes. (I don't really like trousers though.)

Your suggestions please, I am open to most styles - please just tell me what you wear to work, and any links would be great.

Thanks!

[MrsSeanBeanIsEmployable]

Oh and ideas dresses too - they are OK for work aren't they?

[Swedes]

ooooh congratulations MrsSB on your new job.

What sort of industry do you work in? Is it formal and suity or is it arty?

What colour hair do you have and what colours suit you?

[MrsSeanBeanIsEmployable]

Hi Swedes

'Tis in Business Analysis/ IT development, quite formal I think. Am dark blonde, currently working at being lighter after a less than successful experiment with darker hair.

I can wear black, and also like green, turquise, navy, grey, pink. I think I am what is loosely termed a 'cool' colouring.

Hopefully I will still be able to MN now and again, will have to be careful at work until I know the internet culture though...

[Swedes]

Coat/jacket to take you stylishly into spring

nice short sleeve shirt - do you do short sleeves?

useful black skirt

tie front top good for layering over long sleeved tops of various colours - lovely over violet or navy long sleeved pima top from M&S at about £12 each

useful black jersey dress

[MrsSeanBeanIsEmployable]

Wow, some truly lovely things there Swedes, thank you! Especially like the NoaNoa and the tie front top, I find them so flattering. That looks like a great website, will defintely add a bookmark.

[Swedes]

this is a lovely dress too

[MrsSeanBeanIsEmployable]

Yes... like this too.

[Amandoh]

What colours are you happiest in? You could try to narrow the wardrobe down to three or four colours that can be worn together so that you have a capsule wardrobe you can mix and match.

A few examples using black, white, navy and grey...

Grey skirt from Whistles.

White top from Whistles.

Grey dress. Whistles again.

Navy top from Fenn Wright Manson.

Navy skirt from Joules.

Black cardi from Jaeger.

Black skirt from Coast.

Navy dress from Phase Eight.

Add a white shirt and a couple of suits and you'll get lots of differents looks.

[Swedes]

MrsSB Yes I like that Farhi dress too.

[MrsSeanBeanIsEmployable]

Thanks for those links as well Amandoh, look what else I found on the Jaeger site -bargain!

[MrsSeanBeanIsEmployable]

I have a natural affinity with any website which keeps a sale category for a nice generous period of time, especially one which includes the line 'under £30' -

[Swedes]

MrsSB - My 80 year old MIL would like that Jaeger blouse.

[MrsSeanBeanIsEmployable]

The 80 year olds must have been out in force as it is out of stock.....

[Swedes]