To be annoyed about needing work clothes

Your use of 'forced' and 'apparently' suggests you just dont want to go into the office so why not just say that. Lots of people have got used to wfh but it's not working for some companies any more regardless of how the staff dress.

Well firstly it seems like you have work clothes already and second you can buy them inexpensively.
My gym is at a shopping centre with a Sainsburys and I get most of my work clothes from Tu now. They have a decent range of stuff, it maybe doesn't last as long as more expensive brands but it's smart and quite stylish.

You’ve still saved money over the last few years and be grateful it’s only two days in the office and not five.

I think it sounds like you've got plenty already. I go into the office two days a week and wouldn't have a scooby if someone wore something they'd worn the week before!
If you wanted to get a couple of new bits, have you got a Matalan nearby? They've got a good range of reasonably costing work wear

I have 2 pairs of work trousers and a few tops/jumpers that I alternate. And a couple of dresses.

This is plenty for two days. I'm not seeing the issue, do you wash them separately from your other clothes and want to wash less often?

I used to travel for work. I would be flying from one place to another every day or two. Cabin baggage only.

I had 2 pairs of identical black Ann Taylor trousers and a few simple tops, plus one fairly smart jacket for every day. As well as a smart jacket for 'important clients'.

Not forgetting the comfortable but smart shoes. Good shoes are really important.

Sorted.

You are really making this into a problem when it’s not! Use some of the time you used to spend commuting the rest of the week to buy a couple of tops from Vinted/Matalan/Sainsburys and alternate those with trousers you already own.

Those people who have always gone to work in person seem to manage just fine.

You’re making a fuss about nothing. For me I have 6 tops/shirts, 2 decent jumpers, 3 plain trousers, 1 skirt, 2 jackets, 1 black shoe and 1 black ankle boot. I only go in 2 days a week and I have enough rotation for 4 weeks.
For the rest of the week because I always go out for the school run, I have 2 jeans, 5 jumpers and 1 black trainers. I don’t even have to think of what to wear.

Exactly. That sounds like at least 6 different combinations so makes no sense for OP to say she needs more.

I understand your frustration, however reading between the lines, would I be wrong to assume that your frustration is more about having to go back to the office an extra day, than the actual problem of ‘work outfits’?

One pair of chinos and two shirts, easy

I don’t really understand the problem here; it isn’t that difficult to build up a smart/casual wardrobe over time and things from it can cross into every day wear if you like. My job is public sector and dress code similar:

Few smart pairs of trousers (there are loads of lovely options at varying price points);

Linen shirts

Chunky jumpers

Smart (non sport) trainers or loafers

Alternate regularly!

Another thinking that you seem to have more than enough outfits.

Smart casual doesn't have to cost a fortune anyway - you can buy smart trousers and shirts/jumpers from a supermarket.
If you're still of working age, it's also highly likely that anything you own now will be worn out before you die, so the environmental argument doesn't realy stack up - your "home" clothes will last longer if you are wearing them one fewer day, so you are simply wearing more outfits for a longer period of time.

Try Vinted and charity shops, you would be amazed at what you can find. Particularly charity shops in affluent areas - you will find designer clothes that have never been worn.

I too, don't see why you need to buy any more clothes. Surely you wear a pair of trousers for more than one day?

I work in an office 5 days per week and I rotate one pair of black trousers and one black skirt plus I have a navy thin wool dress if I fee like a change. I then either wear one of two short sleeved tops or a thin jumper or a white blouse with a blazer or cardigan.

But I never stopped wearing work clothes. I found that even during the height of lockdown when I was working from home that getting dressed in slightly smarter clothes during the week put me in a better frame of mind.

Why two suits? Just use one suit and 2 tops/blouses. Unless the company has written that all staff have to wear a different suit each day, which I very doubt they have.

You really don't need to go out and spend money - it sounds like you have plenty of clothes already.

Just alternate what you do have - nobody will notice or care that it's the same few trousers or tops on rotation, honestly!

All my work clothes are boxed up in the attic and have been since lockdown. I’ve no intention of getting them out 😂

We tended to have a “business casual” type dress code, and dress down on a Friday. These days since going back in a couple of days, I don’t bother at all, I rock up in whatever I fling on. Usually activewear type leggings (in black or grey), t shirt and a sweater or hoodie, with trainers.

I’m public sector, corporate, non customer facing.

I have 2 pairs of work trousers and a few tops/jumpers that I alternate. And a couple of dresses.

That seems fine, why do you need to buy more?

I feel your frustration. There can be pressure in certain companies and it’s unfair.

I wear the same things to work all the time. I do have moments of feeling self conscious but good quality clothes really come at a price these days. I try to switch it up with different hairstyles, jewelery, bags etc.

I have 3 work trousers (one tapered, one capri, one wide leg), about 5 tops and 5 cardigans/jumpers that I alternate.

I'm in the office every day and wear the same stuff all the time.

No-one notices or cares if I wear a navy sweater twice in a week, or that I've worn the same two pairs of black trousers on rotation for years.

Couple of pairs of trousers, couple of skirts, assortment of shirts/tops that work both in and out of work. A few dresses and plain sweaters/cardigans. Couple of jackets.

They collectively form a sliding scale of less to more formal depending on what's going on that day.

I’m pregnant so I wear the same two dresses for the two days I’m in the office to avoid having to buy more mat stuff. It feels like a waste to do otherwise.

This, but with one spare outfit too in case of any morning wardrobe disasters and things.

I'd say your amount if clothes is fine but then my work environment don't really care what people wear