Plus sized smart work attire

[LonelyAndLostToo]

I wear a size 24/26 and I generally wear dress over leggings. I am older now and am bored with this look, and with more time spent in the office i am looking for smarter more "put together" clothes. Skirts and tops or dresses, i dont like trousers.

Everywhere seems to have baggy shapeless styles with gaudy prints, i am really struggling to find something I like.

Anyone got any recommendations?
I have tried the following from memory... Shein (for my sins), boohoo, M&S, JD Williams,

You could try Roman Originals. They do a lovely plus size range and I've found it true to size and good quality. I'm a similar size to you and get my office attire from there.

Cider and ASOS Curve are my go tos, you can get lots on Vinted.

Get yourself over to Style and Beauty Board, lots of advice there.

I tend to wear dresses, heels and tights to work and most of them are from monsoon or phase eight. They both do larger sizes. I hate gaudy prints, monsoon do have colourful stuff but nicer and not the loud gaudy prints m&s seem to favour at the moment. Some of my phase eight stuff is smart especially. I bought two slightly different semi smart blazers from john lewis too and they go with everything and can smarten up a more casual dress.
I felt like a scruff when i went back to work after maternity leave and everyone was back in the office post covid... i bought some jewellery sets as well, nothing too expensive but i feel sometimes it can make me feel more put together i.e. plain grey shift dress feels better with my diamond studs and a short silver necklace.

How about a knee or midi dress and opaque tights.

Snag are the best (I've just conducted my own personal study)

I'm a size 18 fwiw but have been much bigger and I know how challenging it is.

Also start from shoes up. I don't recommend heels unless they are really chunky. How about a pair of loafers or Dr Marten style lace up shoes some nice ones in shoe zone.

I'd also think about where you hold your weight. Bum/ tum/ legs/ chest arms. and any where you are slimmer? I have very solid legs which is always a problem but a nipped waistline albeit with tummy!

Add a plain black relaxed fit blazer.

Anything you really hate?

Thanks everyone. I had forgotten about cider. Silly me. Will also check out the others you have recommended.

I havent tried snag tights yet. I went with leggins way back because i ended up with tights that fitted my hips but i had 6inches spare at the end

I am 5ft 5in tall and carry my weight well, i am well distributed hips/waist/chest but i do have a bit of a tum. Thyroid tum.

I love dresses, my legs arent tree trunks so i dont mind wearing above knee dresses. I love shoes but covid put me in sketchers all of the time so i think flats or s small heel would be the way i go. I do like boots loads

Should have said i dont likd body con or form fitting

When I was your size, I bought a fair amount from here https://www.prettylittlething.com/shop-by/plus-size-clothing.html but I was always in trousers. Did het some nice dresses, tho.

Laura Adlington has got a great Instagram with outfits and stying for inspiration.

Have you seen Phase 8 plus sized range, really lovely. Expensive but often do deals if you sign up.

@LonelyAndLostToo

manzi tights off amazon

Popsy do nice dresses. https://www.popsyclothing.co.uk/collections/best-sellers

Scarlett and Jo are a nice fit on me (size 22/24) they do tend to have lots of prints, though they have the occasional plain dress. I second the snag tights really comfy and supportive and don’t go baggy.

Oo more places to check out, i found a couple of lovely dresses on Roman Originals. Dressed up with a jacket would be spot on. I dont mind prints, just some prints, especially recently are a bit in your face and dresses seem to be shapeless. Hence the question, plus needing to feel smarter at work.

Ulla Popken have some nice ideas, not the cheapest but lovely quality. It's definitely worth a look.

I live in plain Seasalt tunic tops with bright tights (wool or 80 Denier) from Snag. No need to worry about what to wear each morning.