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?

Can you sell the clothes that really do not fit. Or organise a clothes swap with friends. Have you got any friends who have lost weight and may wish to swap clothes.

Why not put a few items of something you really do not want or cannot wear onto free cycle and advertise for clothes in the size you need.

Oh how I wish Magical Thank you though, seriously

I'm overwhelmed with the offers on here, and Lying that is my size, but you must let me give you something for them.

Clothes are trickier. I am fat but I have very very short legs and I need 'petite' sizing despite being huge. It isn't snobbery - I can only wear certain trousers because otherwise they need adjusting.

If wearing a skirt you need tights. The thick black tights will last so you can make do with only buying 2 or 3 pairs.

I have some smart, size 20 dresses and trousers from M&S sitting in my wardrobe that you are most welcome to - I have lost weight, so they are no use to me. PM me if interested.

I think you meant Wips, namechanger. I haven't got shoes in size 5, Wips has. :)

What size tops do you take?

I can't wear skirts; look awful in them and they are awful uncomfortable.

I'm probably a 16/18

Do you have a sewing machine? If not, it might be a good investment - our local Hobbycraft was selling them for £49 recently. Then if you see something good quality in a charity shop, you can hem or alter them to fit? Lots of YouTube tutorials if you're unsure.

I understand about some roles requiring expensive looking outfits - if you have a local "dress agency" or "exchange" you can pick up designer quality second hand so very very good prices! This might be worth Investigating?

No honestly you can have them. PM me you address.

I have a jersey dress in a 16 I could send as well. And s few other things. In a 16 too.

Evans. 70% off sale which includes shoes, boots and some workwear style clothing. Sizes start from 14. If you get trousers to fit hips but they're baggy on waist buy the pear fit range in a dress size down from normal. Plain black, navy or grey trousers are £20 a pair and come in different lengths and cuts.

That is about my normal size. Seriously get yourself to Asda and try their stuff on. The pencil skirt is flattering. I bought a second skirt as it was so cheap and had panels put in so I can wear as I am 7 months pregnant. They had a good range of trousers too. They had about 6-7 different cuts for plus size and more for regular sizing.

Oh, I'm utterly hopeless at sewing machines - was always getting shouted at in school at Textiles!

I am overwhelmed by these offers of clothes, but you MUST let me give you something, and I will not hear of not paying you for packaging no one will accuse me of Mumsnet begging, not I!

Im a 16 with size 6 feet, I've got a bag if stuff waiting to go to the charity shop. PM me and I would be happy to send anything work suitable.

I know, but asda trousers will be too long. I need shops that allow for fat people to have short legs!

Clarks sturdy leather courts are £24 in the sale.

I think you have to think strategically- yes, ideally you would get those £50 work shoes, but if you have no money, you get the £16 linked to from above, and wear those. Or get charity shop shoes, some people can't stand this thought, but I can (only take nearly new looking ones) and have some lovely winter boots. They cannot not have your size!

OP

Another petite in height but not in waist here, a 26" leg, but a size 18 waist. And you are right, it is difficult, if you are small in height manufacturers tend to think you are in proportion all over, which is not always true. I have managed to find trousers in M&S, BHS, and occasionally the supermarkets, although I am aware it does depend on your waist size, and yes £20-£25 is about average, although you can sometimes pick them up cheaper.

Knee-length skirts I tend to avoid because the tend to make me look even fatter, but if a full length skirt would be acceptable they often work for me.

Shoes I would probably scrimp on at present if possible and buy a couple of cheap pairs from the supermarket or somewhere like shoezone, and replace in a few months as you can.

If you want, I can try and find some links for trousers?

I think you're being abit defeatist op, I am a weird shape- 2 sizes difference between top and bottom, XL legs, tiny shoulders, wide feet, high instep etc etc but there are still sales bargains and supermarket clothes to be had. I just got some wide fit shoes for £24 in clarks sale and some great long leg wide trousers in H&M.
If you really can't be doing with inexpensive clothes ( they're all made in the same factories you know) then open a Next catalogue account and shop from their labels collection which has tons of designer work wear. You can make the minimum payment until you can afford more.

????
I understand you want a professional looking wardrobe, but honestly, expecting to spend £100 on two items is ridiculous. Very few people can tell the difference between Jigsaw/Sainsbury's (or equivalent) for items like plain black shoes and skirts.Spend £15 on a pair of trousers from Dorothy Perkins and the same or less for black brogues for now, and you can always replace them later when you have more money. You do know that lots of brands make exactly the same clothes in the same sweatshops workhouses, and just add the label and inflate the price depending on the brand right?
e.g. DPs and Warehouse, both owned by arcadia group - the material and cut of a plain black skirt could be almost identical but the price £20 more for warehouse.

Cheaper clothes that fit will always look much better than ill-fitting expensive stuff.

Be honest with yourself, if you don't think you'll lose the weight to fit back into your old stuff in the near future then can you ebay that if it's good quality? Even if you sell a few blouses for a fiver or so it can go towards your new wardrobe.

Just take them all and pay it forward when you get back on your feet. Good luck in the new job! Well done everyone offering clothes, very generous and lovely to see it.

MrsUltra

Did you tell them it was from Asda?

Marks and Spencer's is my staple.

Unfortunately, I don't have £24 just at the moment - barely have £2.40!

I don't think I'm being defeatist; besides, I don't even have spare money for asda clothes until the end of the month :)

OK - thank you for the thoughts, and especially for the offers which I didn't expect and am incredibly touched by, but the AIBU warriors are coming out, and I'm a tad too fragile for people hurling abuse at me because asda clothes don't fit, so I'll take my leave.

Thank you again :)

Taking trousers/ skirts up to the right length is very, very easy. Seriously, it's the only alteration job I'm capable of. And you don't need a sewing machine- you just need needle and thread (and an iron to press the hems with afterwards). You're just one Youtube tutorial away from possessing all the trousers you need for £100!

Hi, bless you. I'm a firm believer that you can dress well on a budget. I'm a cheapskate and constantly get told I dress well. Just now is probably the best time to have a look, January sales. I don't know your style but I have a nice pair of trousers from new look, they're stretchy and fitted, straight cut. Fit nice into boots and look nice with shoes. Only £15, I think they would look great with some nice blouses. Also, new looks shoes are really good quality for a good price

I am also feeling the pinch this month, OP, so I do know where you are coming from. However, it also seems you are really out of practice of choosing clothes and sourcing them, so in that time period, I would look in some of the main supermarkets and see what you like, try some stuff on, so when you get paid, you can swing into action.

Also, if anyone on here has spare stuff, just take it, what's the difference between that and freecycle, except for postage? Clothes-waste is a huge problem!

Sorry op, ignore me, took too long to post and missed your petite requirement. Next petite go up to 18.