I need a whole new work wardrobe!

[ohhhhpieceofcandy]

I'm going back to work next month after a year on maternity. I've been really lucky with losing baby weight and I'm now actually a size or two smaller. But this means none of my work clothes fit anymore!

Soooo, I'm going to have to go shopping. I used to just wear black trousers and a smartish top eveyday but I want to use the opportunity to be a bit more stylish and increase my confidence.

What should I buy? I'm a size 10-12, pear shaped & not very good at putting outfits together!

[Phalarope]

I did this a few months ago. I don't actually have to look that smart at work, but I only bought smart stuff to stop me pinching it to wear at the weekends. Everything in boring black or grey for ease of matching.

I bought dresses, a skirt, a pair of trousers, cardigans - but actually, I only wear the dresses as it means I don't have to choose what to wear with them.

TKMaxx and Mango were the best sources of stuff. Got a nice dress in Cos, too, which was massively over budget but I love it and persuade myself it improves my productivity levels.

Also - I get semi-dressed in the morning, everything except the dress, then wear my dressing gown until the toddler has stopped wiping snot and porridge on me.

[Thurlow]

Matching the palette sounds a bit OTT but works really well, especially when you're getting ready while trying to get ready at the same time as getting young DC ready.

I have two sorts of outfits. One is a few smartish dresses, mostly from Next, Warehouse and Oliver Bonas, which I wear with cardigans. Then I found a style of jumper that really suits me but it smart (three quarter sleeved round neck, mostly from Next) and bought two smart black skirts.

If you plan your outfits a little and go for a palette then everything is interchangeable if you get banana or toothpaste all over it in the morning

If you have time, how about a personal shopper somewhere like John Lewis or Debenhams to pick out a few key things?

[MakeMeWarmThisWinter]

Congratulations on your baby and on your weight loss! I too found running around after a baby was helpful.

Dresses are the way forward, zero thought involved as you only have one item plus tights and any accessories to think about. Get a black one (or navy or charcoal if you prefer) and several patterned or nice coloured ones, all good quality, and you're sorted. A black jacket if your work dress code wants it perhaps?

I swear by Hobbs sales or outlet, Laura Ashley sales, LK Bennett from Ebay, M and S Autograph sales and occasional gems from Oasis and Tesco. Spend £40-50on a sale dress that originally cost £80+ - that's my aim and I have enough nice and good quality dresses for a couple of weeks without repeating myself. Scarves and a couple of nice necklaces, good quality ballet flats from Clarks or Russell and Bromley children's section if your feet are 5 or below, or heels from M and S.

And don't buy anything you can't bung in the washing machine! Loads of my work dresses say dry clean only but they all go in the wash and are fine. But assess this before buying anything.

[Thurlow]

Oh yes, good point warm - try not to buy anything that needs ironing, get clothes that need as little effort as possible! I'm sure some of my clothes do need ironing, but by the time you've trekked DC to the nursery and then got to work the creases have mostly worn out

[LollyLondon]

How about going along to somewhere like Banana Republic for a free session with a stylist. No obligation to buy and they can help you put some outfits together. They have good basics - skirts, trousers etc and - frequent promotions.

Phalarope's suggestion is a great one - I used to put an old t-shirt on over my clothes in the morning when I used to feed/change DC, and then whip it off a la Wonder Woman before leaving the house!

[LoisWilkerson15]

If you want to add a bit of style, do it with accessories, that way you can stick to the basics with tops and bottoms but jazz things up. For example I'm wearing dark trousers, satin cream or black tee with a statement necklace or earings most days.

[LoisWilkerson15]

Google outfit sudoku. Big help!

[Ubik1]

Cos stuff looks terrible on the website -you really need to try it on.

It is excellent quality. My Cos dress is washed and worn every week and still looks great. Worth the investment.

[slug]

Hobbs have a sale on at the moment so it's worth looking there for things you may not be able to afford otherwise

Navy dress
Pockets, sleeves and available in two colours
What my friend refers to as "a very useful item"

[ohhhhpieceofcandy]

Thanks everyone, some great advice here. I'm off out to a designer outlet village and then on to tkmaxx after so will let you know how I get on! Got a feeling my bank account will be taking a bit of a hit today!