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?

Just a quick idea re trousers needing to be taken up - buy a roll of wonder web (it only cost a couple of quid) and you can take up trousers easily using that and an iron. It really is easy to do and very quick! Obviously when you get paid at the end of the month.

Asda do different leg lengths, so short, medium, long etc. I have always got my work clothes from there in the past as I always find very lovely stuff for cheap. I always got complemented on it like someone else did up thread!

Ive got some black size 18 short leg trousers if you'd like to PM me your address?

Primark shoes are fab. I have a dodgy knee/hip so am heavy on shoes. I walk oddly but they are lovely. Comfy wear well and look great. A colleague told me about them she said they wear better than posh brand and she is right.

M&S do petite trouser lengths in your size (and other stores that are cheaper but I think some of the M&S trousers are really flattering) and Banana Republic often have big discounts and shorter length trousers too

and Asda is a very good idea

I have recently lost a lot of weight and dropped 3 dress sizes. I am also short (5ft 2"). I definitely have at least 1pair of comfy m&s trousers and some blouses in various colours that don't fit me any more. What size top are you? I have a range of size 16-20 clothes available.
Please message me if you are interested as I was going to donate them to charity and would rather you have them.

Why don't you order something from somewhere like very etc so you can pay it off when you get paid, or even in instalments? Just a thought? Or next? If it's only short term?

Ok, I know you're feeling a bit sensitive but you're seeing unnecessary problems 're leg length! you're being a bit defeatist, you can easily hem a pair of trousers yourself, a spool of cotton and a basic sewing kit costs about three quid. Measure how much comes off. Hem them with pins. Tack them. Sew them.

I'm short and plump and Asda length trousers don't work for me either. However, I do get suitable length trousers from Dorothy Perkins and BHS petite ranges that are under £20, and I've been lucky in Tesco and got short black trousers for £6. Where Asda are good for me is cheap shoes. My £8 ballet flats have lasted me for well over a year now which is a bargain. Have a look around all these. Good luck!

Could you afford some cheap scarves or a new lippy, maybe some cheap vest top to wear under old shirts if they are tight and you can wear them half unbottoned- still smart but give you a bit more room? Can you get credit with next on line, trousers and 2 tops and maybe a nice dress ( I have a lovely work dress that was £20 full price. You could spend £100 and get a few bits to brighten up, then set up direct debit for £10- £15 pound a month until you are back on your feet. Asda, tesco or primary for a few cheap accessories, new tights and you could feel loads better. My local college do evenings where you can get your hair done for free as long as you don't mind it taking longer- that can mean the world x good luck and congratulations on your new job xxxx

SeasonalVag if you're a novice sewer, trying to hem things yourself looks crap and is a false economy IMO compared to just buying the right length. I've tried it.

Or sell some things on Gumtree and see what people have fir sake there and e bay x

Don't go. Most people are being helpful :)

What's your colouring like and will you be client facing? Do you do scarves? I know they're a bit marmite but worth putting it out there.

Do you have jewellery and cosmetics?

I'm not your size but I have lots of unused cosmetics and costume jewellery my mother people who barely know me buy me. I charity shop it normally and I'm just about to unpack after moving a year ago have a sort out now I have new wardrobes.

Asda do short leg trousers for up to size 22. I have loads of them at £6 a pair, nice tapered leg too.

Also, Yours do a petite range starting from size 16 up to 32

Bon Marche do little leg length trousers.

Thank you.

I'm reluctant to pay anything 'online'; I really need to try stuff on.

Sewing, even very basic sewing, is completely out.

I don't really suit accessories, they make me look scruffy.

I have no money until the end of the month and I will buy a couple of decent pairs from M & S to see me through. It's the shoes I am expecting will cost - ballet pumps aren't suitable for work.

Personally I favour wonder web for hemming. I also used to get shouted at in textiles I do have a sewing machine though. Had it 9 years and one day I will open the box!

I interview a lot of people for work and work with tops firms. I can usually tell who doesn't have much cash from how they're dressed (lots of students so it varies hugely) but it doesn't matter one jot if I can see they have made an effort and taken care with their appearance. A shirt with a worn collar nicely pressed (with all the buttons sewn on!) clean hair, tidy nails, cheap polyester trousers and shiny shoes or a very dated suit all make a much better impression than someone who looks like they slept in their clothes or ate their breakfast off their tie. Or the ones who look like they think hair washing is an annual event

So you don't need a lot of money. You do need an iron though

I wasn't even allowed to partake in Textiles class - I spent the term "tidying the store room"

If I can manage it, anyone can

Congratulations on your job!

I'm a short size 16. Can you get a black tailored stretchy (ponte type) dress or two, they are a bit forgiving of shapes and you don't get that skirt/blouse/tuck-in problem. They look quite smart with a jacket over and it's only one thing to buy then.

I buy a lot of petite from ebay, my current work trousers are Precis bought bnwt from ebay for about £20. I also look out for petite jackets, if your job is that professional you might find a jacket goes a long way to adding value to your other clothes. If it is something client or public facing, though, where appearance is a big part of it, I would be tempted to invest in a couple of outfits on credit and spread it over the next few months.

I'm sure you will be fine but try to hold your head up high and amaze them with how good you are at your job.

It's sounds to me like it's a confidence and self esteem issue more, you have just had a really difficult and stressful period managing on lower money and now you are worried about how you will come a across. Honestly go to Asda and m and s and get some simple basics - Asda I'd great for work shoes I have a pair of leather courts I wear all the time- cost £25 and I have had them for 5 years! Believe in yourself, you got your new job because people believe you have the skills and the knowledge, don't focus on your clothes, now you are earning clothes can be bought in time. I bet you look 100x better than you think and I bet most colleagues won't even notice your clothes. Your confidence has taken a knock but it's a new year and a new start xxxxxx

I have no money for clothes from asda, for sewing machines, for eBay or for Primark, I appreciate the suggestions but I really don't.

Thank you :)

I'd try local fb selling pages. First off to sell some of your own unsuitable clothes and raise some funds. And then keep an eye out for people selling stuff that might suit you. You could also ask on your local freecycle/freegle.

Also have you got anything else you could sell? Again fb selling page is your friend here.

M&S has court shoes that look perfectly presentable from just under £20.

X-posted there. Good luck in any case. Once you have got yourself sorted people will forget about the first few weeks.

Im sorry but no one has to look awful now days.
I have bought some lovely clothes from charity shops.
TM Lewin ladies shirts for £4 each. A Hobbs skirt recently for a fiver.
Ive been told at work I get the award for the best dresser. I have a professional job on shit money as i work local now and not in London anymore. Go to charity shops you will be surprised what you can pick up.