Cheap smart work clothes

[BoyFromTheBigBadCity]

I need to get some smart work clothes from cheap ish shops. I don't wear trousers, but any other suggestions?

I haven't worked anywhere with a dress code for a long time, and have put on a dress size so most of what I have doesn't fit now.

[Patsy99]

Next & Zara if you pick carefully, avoid the cheap looking fabrics. Both are good for dresses & jackets.

[dontbesillyhenry]

I wouldn't say 40 pounds a blouse at next is particularly cheap

[Patsy99]

Nope - but some of their dresses come in at less than that.

[INeedNewShoes]

La Redoute. It's hit and miss but very good value when you find the good bits. Make sure you Google for a discount code.

The way I shop with them is to order loads and send the majority back but keep anything I like that's good enough quality. Returns are free and straightforward.

[BlueberryMarshmallow]

Have you tried the supermarkets? I dress smart for work and have a range of clothes from places like next and Debenhams but find the Asda ones tends to be the cheapest and last longer than all others. It can be very hit and miss what they have in though. If you sign up to the new look newsletter they send you 20% off codes every couple of weeks which comes in handy for blouses and tights :)

[ceeveebee]

TBH a lot of Sainsbury's and Tesco stuff is not bad!?

[Mumsnit]

TK Maxx? I bought some bargainous Jaeger shirts there last week for work

Matalan also worth a look as they have quite a big work wear range and some of it isn't bad at all!

[emsyj37]

M and S for smart shift dresses -- shoes often ok too
Sainsburys is nice for the price esp when it's 25% off week
TKMaxx for occasional gems
Jaeger outlet for coats, bags and everything really
Blazers in H and M are often nice, and their blouses

[emsyj37]

Oh and Shoeaholics for cut price branded shoes. Hobbs outlet often have lovely shoes too.

[tattychicken]

Yes, Sainsbury's. Have several of their dresses and they wear pretty well, and are good value, partic if you can get them with the 25% off. You can buy online and collect in store too, so like a PP, I tend to buy a load and then take back about half.

[PhyllisWig]

H&M. Good shirts and tops. Their jersey blazers are good as someone else has said.

They have a few shift dresses and skirts too which might work.

[BoyFromTheBigBadCity]

Fab. Thanks everyone!

[Brillenbar]

Uniqlo is really excellent for smart neutral basics

[ChishandFips33]

I'm liking this skirt from Tesco for £14 - could put a variety of different coloured simple tops/t shirts or jumpers with it (they have some nice coloured lightweight/soft jumpers too!)

[IamRonnieBiggs]

I got a black jacket in Asda for £14 this week

[dailystuck71]

I've picked up good quality bits on eBay for work.

[BatBelle]

I get quite a few of my work tops from Primark- they are usually no more than £10

[knowler]

I'd echo suggestions for the supermarkets - go for anything on the classic side and in decent looking fabrics. I think that black sometimes looks cheaper than grey or navy as it can go a bit shiny. La redoute is definitely a possibility but always buy with a voucher or during flash sale and size up too.

[megletthesecond]

Primark. I try to only wash it on a gentle wash and it's fine.

[findingmyfeet12]

I'd recommend eBay. For the same price that you'd spend in New Look or H&M you can pick up Jaeger, Hobbs, Whistles, etc.

[knowler]

feet is right - a lot of the brands have eBay shops. I got a great lk Bennett dress for C.£20.

[BoyFromTheBigBadCity]

I've never really done eBay - is it quite easy to be a buyer?

[RemusLupinsChristmasMovie]

How smart do you need to be?

These jersey skirts at M&S are v cheap and wash well. If you're tall, they'd probably be too short though. They come in quite a few prints/colours.

These are smarter than a normal t-shirt and drape nicely. Maybe with a jacket over, if you need to be office smart, or a cardigan if you can be more relaxed.

I saw somebody wearing this today and she looked really nice. It looks a bit like a rag on the hanger though, and I haven't tried it on personally.

[XiCi]

I've also found some really nice work dresses at la redoute. It's 30% off as well at the moment. Asos do some plain black shifts and skater dresses for around £20 that are fine for work as well

[MeadowHay]

H&M and New Look sometimes, quality variable and recommend always trying on because some of their stuff seems ok at first glance and then awful when you put it on.
Zara although that's not cheap.
TK Maxx, it depends what they have in when you go though.
House of Fraser's outlet, same as TK Maxx.
M&S.
Dorothy Perkins.