Work clothes help please

[janeite]

Have been semi-promoted at work (ie no more money but a new, more senior sounding job title and lots more people 'under' me!) and want to look a bit more professional. It's a secondary school, so need fairly smart but not suits. I'm looking to do a bit of shopping over the summer holidays, as I hate summer clothes so don't really want to invest in anything for the final few weeks - would rather start anew in September with a slight revamp!

SO:

I have a couple of very nice pencil skirts. What can I wear with them that isn't a traditional shirt? Have norks and shirts look hideous on me.

Where can I get some good quality, slim legged trousers in petite length?

What shoes?

Any more ideas?

Thank you!!

Oh - am 5'2" and size 10-12. Big norks though. And brunette.

[janeite]

Pretty please?

What do you lot wear then?

[EachPeachPearMum]

Congratulations!
I love Gap ankle length (!) trousers for work- they fit really nicely, and wash really well too (though you are a gap fan too, so maybe you know this)
I also tend towards v-neck 3/4 sleeve cotton tops for work- M&S, JL are a nice fit and not gapey so no cleavage issues.

Boat or slash necks are good too... but haven;t seen any recently- my best ones are from morgan (yeah, I think they folded about 5 years ago ) and M&S- autograph and limited edition usually have some nicer things.

Linea at HoF sometimes have good things, but beware of norkage flashing.

[janeite]

Oh thank you!

I haven't seen any ankle fit trousers in Gap for ages though.

Am on the M&S site now but not seen any tops yet.

Have found this though - any thoughts?

The oencil skirts are quite high waisted, so I need the tops to be reasonably short I think, to avoid bagging around the waist - but I can't tuck tops in as am very short waisted and look hideous.

[janeite]

pencil

[EachPeachPearMum]

Ooh- that is lovely! (But depends how it fits on norks...)

[janeite]

Think I'll go and try it on.

Any more thoughts anybody please?

[Clure]

how about something like this
this type of top with pencil skirt

[janeite]

Both v pretty - but I need a v or scoop neck - high necks look terrible on me.

[janeite]

Forgot to say thanks - sorry.

[SueW]

The dart dress from M&S is brilliant, I have it. Very comfortable. They have had some greatdresses in this year

What about this one?

Have you tried Bravissimo dresses?

[janeite]

Thanks Sue - that's good to know.

Re: the sleeveless one - not sure about that as shift dresses tend not to suit me and make me look rather severe.

Bravissimmo no good - waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long for me.