To be very embarrassed about how I look

[namechangerwithnoclothes]

I had a period where I had to accept work at a lower pay rate than I had become accustomed to, and a combination of reasons meant I was running very low for money.

Anyway, I'm working at my old rate now in a professional role, very professional. And I have no clothes

all my old suits are way too small. Everything looks just awful. I have one pair of trousers that I can get into but they are too tight and dig in so uncomfortably and my legs look so wide! I have no suitable shoes, can't afford to replace them.

I look a mess and have NO spare money to sort myself with a decent working wardrobe.

AIBU to think this may have serious repercussions in terms of my future there?

Dress for Success - excellent idea! I remember this charity collecting some unwanted clothes from our office and a lot of the stuff that was donated still had tags on because people either lost weight or gained weight and didn't have a chance to wear.

You'd definitely get change from £100 for a pair of trousers and shoes!

The trousers can be, as others have said, second-hand, or even new via ebay or charity shops! You could budget £20 for trousers and £20 for shoes. Shoes you may well prefer new, but there are always lots of "worn once" pairs in our local charity shops.

Just get some slightly cheaper things. Primark will have some decent stuff of you choose carefully. Otherwise Sainsburys has better quality stuff at low prices. There's no need to spend £100 on one pair of shoes and some trousers if you're skint.

Can you buy on next card and pay off bit by bit when you have some money spare?

I probably won't get much change from £100 from that'

Seriosuly, go to Asda. Look in the sales. You could get a whole wardrobe for under 100 quid!

shoes

Asda is your friend. I am now (career change) in a low-paid job, but was previously earning £££. All my work clothes came from Ada, and I was constantly complimented on them and asked what 'label' I was wearing
The best was at a reception at the House of Lords when someone asked where I got my lovely (£15) dress.

What size do you take?
I am having a massive clear out at the moment and would be happy to "donate" anything suitable (work in a very professional environment) to your good cause.

Primark have a sale on at the moment. You'll get a ton of stuff for £109.

£100. I don't know what happened there

I know how you feel I left a very professional job and now a few years later when I have to attend things and appear as professional as before, I want to cry. None of my clothes from before fit. That's the ones that I haven't managed to wreck in the interim through inappropriate storage etc. But seriously, at least 2 sizes too small more like 3. I find I look smartest/ at least feel less awful in
simple black pencil skirt, tights, any black shoes (eg flats or low heel)
plain top (eg, H&M or zara) in similar colour, or a blouse or something tucked in if it fits well enough and nice fabric
I wear body shaping tights (I think £6 in M&S but the 30d/60d black ones) and that's it, done

I also found some M&S trousers were very flattering and (relative to what I spent before) very inexpensive. I have one pair of plain black trousers that fit, and 1 or 2 plain pencil skirts.

If you have shirts etc that are too small but still look good otherwise, you can wear them not-fully-done-up underneath a jumper and nobody will know

I think keep it pared down. Also, I imagine you feel better if happy with face/hair, so things like eyebrows (DIY if no affordable threading nearby) and blowdrying/doing hair in a way that makes you feel presentable will be very helpful and free to do at home

YY to Asda. Pair of well-fitting trousers, two/three blouses, you'll be fine.

In your circumstances (i.e. with the certainty that you'll be paid on Date X) I'd get and use a credit card for £100 or so worth of stuff. I normally don't advise using credit when people are in dire straits, but I think it's fine in the circumstances.

I think you may also be having some issues readjusting your view of quality/wearable things from what you wore before. I promise you, a skirt from TK Maxx or Sainsburys vs Selfridges/Net A Porter/Jigsaw and wherever really doesn't look anything other than 'a skirt' to anyone else. Must be clean, and must fit, and I'd go for plain for now.

What size are you? Dress sizes and shoes.

I don't think there's a need to borrow on credit for it - £100 is certainly doable until the next time OP can spend a bit more and add to/replace the things acquired.

I won't be able to get in clothes from Asda - I have a strange shape :) In any case, when you're big you need clothes that are cut decently. Shoes will be the main expense anyway I would think.

Unless you are a really strange size, you can get some absolute bargains in the charity shops. For £100, that and look in places like Tu in Sainsburys- you can honestly get quite a lot of clothes, at least another outfit or two plus shoes for each.

Clarks have great work shoes in the sale.

Yes, you won't get high end quality for that, but if it's that or wear the same pair of trousers and shoes ad infinitum, you can still look smart and nicely dressed pretty cheaply.

I would also second heading to Style and Beauty and asking for their tips, although there have been some good ones on here- that £5 website looks great!

My entire work wardrobe is from charity shops. Barnardo's 99p shops are a goldmine.

Charity shops are great but I can never find anything that fits.

I imagine a decent, sturdy pair of shoes will be around the £40-£50 mark, then a couple of pairs of trousers £25 each?

In some professions you are judged on how you look if you are client or customer facing. I often find though that you can look smart and well presented without spending a lot. There are many places to get cheap, smart work wear from as already highlighted. If you do your hair nicely, paint your nails if you can, wear discreet but flattering make up and nice earrings if you have them, you can get away with it.

I find wearing all black helps.

has this thread been repeated....im sure ive seen it before

What's your size? I have 7 black and navy very smart suits (skirts/trousers/dresses) that I hardly ever wear due to my long term client's slack dress policy. All in sizes 6 or small 8, though, so really quite tiny. If you happen to fit that feel free to PM me.

Otherwise agree with charity shop idea. I own a vintage Chanel dress that I found at an Oxfam shop and paid £20 for.

OP
Even if you're after good quality stuff such as Hobbs, you should be able to get some good bargains on EBay. Second hand shoes on EBay are a bargain too!

What size are you? And shoe size? I have a pair of unworn Next black low wedges - very work suitable, size 5 you can have.

OP... like PedantPending, I'm also having a clear-out and I've got clothes ranging several sizes. I've also had some given to me by my SIL to take to the charity shop (she's too lazy). If you can say what size - clothes and shoes - there may be something suitable.

You need one pair of trousers, one skirt and 5 tops. This can be done for GBP100. My work skirt is from George (purchased at Walmart as i am in the US) and the UK website it showing it is GBP6 in the UK. The trousers are good too at GBP6. I got a nice cardigan from there which is GBP16 on the UK site. Their shoes are cheap but will do as a short term solution. Another great place is Sainsburys. They have some great tops, none of which are more than GBP20.

For GBP100 you could easily get enough outfits to get you through the next 3 months.