Help me smarten up for work!

[Exploretheunexplored23]

Hi everyone

Im 5'7, size 16, 32J boobs. I work in an office environment where company policy is that you must wear a knee length skirt everyday. I want to wear smart work dresses and suits but i cant find anything that fits reasonably and is affordable. I would pay around 25 pounds for a dress or more for a skirt suit.

Please help me!!! I feel so dumpy all the time i just want to look professional and be comfortable!

[Ememem84]

I'm in a similar sort of environment and I get a lot of my work stuff from oasis, warehouse, Hobbs.

Zara are also good.

Are you on Pinterest? Have a look for "pencil skirt outfits".

Also I've found eBay is my friend here. Loads of great stuff at a fraction of the price.

I saw a new skirt in oasis the other day but at £45 was a bit above what I'd pay.

[Oh2beatsea]

Boden sale (clearance) is worth a try for dresses especially.

[PurpleDaisies]

I've had lots of nice things for work from Sainsburys. Phase eight sale is often good for dresses. Hobbs is good but expensive.

[PaperdollCartoon]

Where dictates that you have to wear a skirt?! It's not 1975.

[Ememem84]

paperdoll my company handbook says I should wear a skirt when I meet clients. And a jacket. Skirt should be of an "appropriate" length.

It depends what the op does, I used to work in law and there was a very strict dress code. we had to be skirt suited every day.

Now it's strict when we meet clients. Other times it's more laid back.

[ThanksForAllTheFish]

I also worked in a company that had a knee length skirt / dress policy (but we could also do suit with trousers). We also had to wear tights all year round as bare legs were not permitted. This was a back office for a very well known bank and we never had any customers or clients in the office but it still had a strict dress code policy.

Dress down days also had a strict set of rules such as no: trainers, leggings, strappy tops that show shoulders or cleavage, shorts, jeans with rips, jeans or trousers that were not full length, hoodies, clothing or t shirts with logos or slogans, sandals or open toe shoes, evening dresses to name but a few. The dress code policy Took up a full 2 sides of A4 paper.

[Exploretheunexplored23]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I work in senior management for a chain. Ive been ebaying some of your suggestions and picked up a tu suit so far.

[Exploretheunexplored23]

Is oasis stuff generally worth the price tag? I had a work dress from there before but all the hems fell down

[Bambooshoots14]

Asda is good for work clothes and also Matalan online

[Chewbecca]

Oasis is not very likely to give you a 'quality' look, no.

Would it be possible to buy fewer, more expensive items? So total spend the same but fewer items? Concentrating on good fabrics - no polyester.

Linea from House of Fraser can be Hobbs-like but slightly less ££.

[Pisssssedofff]

You work in senior management and are buying clothes from asda ? You need a pay rise girlfriend, what's going on there ?

[Ememem84]

I mix and match. Oasis top ted baker (from eBay) skirt.

Jigsaw are good as are jaeger (their sales are good)

[traviata]

I like this M&S

£25 is not much for a new dress unless you are going to ebay. How many outfits do you need? What do you have?

[fluffiphlox]

Senior management? £25?