Going back to work - help!

[Swizzler]

Looks like I'll be heading back to the workplace (p/t) at the beginning of April (DS will be 6 months old). I feel like I've been in a style vacuum for the past year - maternity clothes followed by jeans and vom-encrusted tops, so I need some help in finding work clothes. I don't need to wear a suit for work, so would like to get some stuff that will mix and match and make me look professional (despite the sleep deprivation and mangled brains) and organised.
I'm about 5 ' 8 ", large norked (and still bfing), OK legs, waist has reappeared and about a size 12. Colouring: brown hair, sallow skin, blue eyes. I'm an archivist, so need clothes suitable for occasional ladder-climbing and box-hefting.
Any ideas?

[MrsBadger]

so no suit but no jeans - the dreaded Smart Casual?

Get boots, they make all trousers look better, also a good bag.
Not quite worth getting a coat for tis season but a jacket that goes with (but doesn't match) the trousers is v handy eg I have cream jacket for wearing with brown / khaki / tan trousers.

Otherwise trousers and a 3/4 sleeve v-neck t will cover most bases - add wraparound cardi over top and/or vest underneath.
Kew is a really good place to start, if not for buying stuff then at least for looking at how they put stuff together.

[MrsBadger]

oh, and get big intersting necklaces that match your trousers (M&S, Accesorize, East, Topshop).
Sounds silly but brown trousers and a plain top suddenly become an outfit when you add a big brown wooden pendant or similar.

[MrsBadger]

good necklace example - not sure re the cardi though

[Swizzler]

I have some nice brown boots and found some good 3/4 tees in Dorothy Perkins. Cardies are a problem due to norkage (32H at the moment) - I have probs finding a wrap cardy to suit. Will have a look at the Kew site for ideas

I have noticed that most of my previous work wardrobe is looking really dated - any easy way to modernise it a bit?

The jacket suggestion is a great one BTW.

[Swizzler]

Have never been a big jewellery person, but found ot invaluable during pg to make maternity stuff more interesting. Have a few chuncky necklaces but will look for more. East stuff is lovely

[MrsBadger]

Don't worry re cardies unless you're actually cold - my office is generally warm so I don't bother.

Keep the basics from the old stuff but ditch thins, esp trousers, if they're a dated shape and/or don't fit properly - tops are much more forgiving.

[Swizzler]

The main difference I've found is the length of tops - all the stuff I have neds at the waist (BAD idea due to flabby tum). Got some ne longer tops and instantly lost several pounds

That's mind of what I meant about modernising - didn't think about the toips until I realised everyone else was wearing longer versions for a reason.

[Swizzler]

Any ideas about where to find jackets? Have a nice Laura Ashley spotty one but may be too causal for the office.

[MrsBadger]

you'd be surprised - if it's cut like a blazer with lapels etc and you wear it with nice trous it could look v smart

Mine are mostly from Gap but am small-norked and not sure how they fit the better endowed. LA, Monsoon and Principles are all worth a look, and if you happen to fit their sizes Per Una do quite good semi-formal jackets in cord, tweed etc thus - in fact her whole outfit is pretty good for a smart-casual office IMO.

[Swizzler]

LOVE that jacket. Great colour. Must get myself to M&S pronto

[Swizzler]

Now just need to find a smart bag...