To be having a meltdown about having to wear a suit again

[suitandheels]

First post on here so please forgive any breaches of forum etiquette.

Currently coming to the end of a very extended spell of being able to work from home whilst I had 4 children; I will shortly have to return to the daily routine of going to the office to work.

I have to dress smartly for work and generally always wore a 'uniform' of pencil skirt and tucked in shirt with a jacket, which before children looked pretty good tbh.

I'm now having a major stress though because I spent the day yesterday trying on my old work clothes and they frankly look awful - I've now got a tummy which I didn't have before, my arse seems to have lost its shape and my legs are all lumpy. I'm currently on a diet to lose a stone or more if I can, but I just want to know what people think about whether a pencil skirt suit is still a realistic option for me now?

I saw a John Lewis personal shopper working with someone in the fitting rooms the other day and was quite impressed, so I second that idea!

Can’t you wear a trouser suit?

Agree, it's not scruffy but the skirt is too small. We've all been there.

If maybe buy a couple of new outfits to make you feel good on your return.

I work in a very corporate environment, for me it's trouser suits or shift dresses and jackets. I find pencil skirts a bit outdated now.

That skirt in the photo doesn't fit you so don't wear that. It doesn't look right.

I'm in law and lots of people go for even non-suit dresses plus a jacket now. As in, not necessarily matching. Even in quite formal environments I've seen it. But you might still look decent in a tailored suit that fits you better, if that's what you prefer. I do think skirt suits are a bit old fashioned now. Trouser suits can be relaxed a bit more.

4 children? So 5 years or so? You need new clothes anyway! You can get perfectly nice jackets, dresses, shoes and bags for next to nothing now, for example in Sainsbury's. If your colleagues buy their stuff from more expensive retailers they won't even know, because quite frankly the difference in price doesn't reflect the difference in quality (unless paying £££). Once you know what you are comfortable in you can spend a bit more. BTW it's impressive you can even get in to your old workwear, but yes, it's too tight.

The clothes don't fit anymore. The look will be fine, you just have to buy it in sizes that fit you these days.

I wear dresses. So easy!

Honestly go and buy some new clothes.
I've just gone back to work after 3 years and 2 stone at home with the children and none of my clothes fit. But more to the point, work 'fashion' has changed since I left. Have a look in Next for black trousers, Zara for jackets & blouses, so you don't spend too much while you're figuring out what suits you now.

I work in a senior position mainly in the city, and I would recommend dresses from Hobbs as well. Don't be afraid of getting the dresses altered to fit, they last for years.

Also LK Bennet for jackets. Jaeger on line is worth a look also.

I’m a senior accountant and wear dresses and a jacket. Hobbs is great and often has matching jackets.

This is lovely and would look great with a black jacket. www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0118-5251-9845L00&productvarid=0118-5251-9845L00-IVRY-NVY-COBLT-12&refpage=dresses

I’d wear this (and have something similar that I’ve worn to meetings). www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0118-4610-9013L00&productvarid=0118-4610-9013L00-COBALT-12&refpage=dresses

This is beautiful on and I’d wear it for office days. www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0118-5996-3786L00&productvarid=0118-5996-3786L00-COBALT-12&refpage=dresses

I’ve got this one in green and wear it to client meetings all the time. It’s so comfortable and extremely flattering (and machine washable and barely needs ironing). www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0118-5085-9045L00&productvarid=0118-5085-9045L00-LIPSTICK-PINK-12&refpage=dresses

There’s loads more on there. I can’t recommend Hobbs dresses for formal workwear enough.

I'd agree on lk bennet for jackets, some of mine are from there, as are my shoes and bags.

Hugo boss are good for trousers and jackets also. I like Hobbs for tops.

If you're looking for cheaper, I also like Asos for trousers as I'm tall. I've just bought a couple of pairs of their tall cigarette pants, navy and black, Y,A.S brand I think, good thick material, some stretch and great with heels and work perfectly with the existing jackets.

We are all different, but cigarette pants and a fitted jacket tend to be quite flattering if all one colour, and I think much more modern than a pencil skirt now.

Also, check you are wearing the right sized bra. You are probably a totally different size now. I went from 34B to 36C to 34DD.

The 36C ones still go on me and do up, but I look so much better when wearing one of my new properly fitting 34DD ones.

And obviously do that before starting to try on any new dresses etc.

Scrap the skirts and wear trousers - much more practical and just as smart.

Primark have some excellent workwear . They have shift dresses and jackets and skirts / trousers that all match . Just buy a bigger size. I bought a suit from there for an interview and everyone commented on how nice it was .. shift dresses are more flattering than pencil shorts IMO.

Hobbs has a sale on so dive in. Good luck, enjoy!

does ig have to be a skirt?

how about smart trousers (or black sculpt&lift jeans), jersey type top, jacket or smart scarf & accessories

Thank you all very much for your advice and helpful links, I'll have a look at those.

It's going to be a hard habit to break tbh though because I've worn pretty much the same thing ever since I started work! I'm not very keen on trousers full stop, always worn skirts for work and home; I'll have a look at some of the dresses you've suggested.

I don’t wear them anyway - trousers like culottes or wide legs are very fashionable in my office.

IMO pencil skirts only look good if you're very slim and toned. They're designed to highlight your tummy and bottom. I wore them a lot in my gym obsessed 20s but wouldn't now! I'm still slim but nolonger athletic.

I'd go shopping for smart tailored trousers and loose fitting blouses. Choose trendy ones with a flattering cut. Or tailored dresses that nip in at your natural waist then flare or drape over the rest.

How old are you op? I think past a certain age pencil skirts do look old fashioned now. If you don't wear trousers or jeans at home or leisure though, dresses might be your thing.

With the right shoes trousers are very flattering, pencil skirts as a pp said are designed to show off the areas you wish to hide.

It does look like it doesn’t quite fit at the moment..... I just bought myself a suit this week for the first time in 8 years! It was a Reiss one from John Lewis and it is gorgeous and looks modern and fashionable which is why i got it. I have mainly work dresses in lots of varying colours (agree with PPs re Hobbs, LK Bennett but would add Zara to the mix..) with black or navy or cream jackets of various textures for the most part for many years. I am senior in the City. I also love a good skirt (M&S do a great ‘tummy flattening’ ) knee length black pencil skirt -which i can wholly recommend - that goes with a myriad of tops and said jackets to make up outfits. All appropriate at work these days and look very professional. I won’t wear the skirt suit i bought full on all the time- i’ll mix the skirt and the jacket in and obkt occasionally wear them together. I can’t stand proper long sleeve work shirts any more (boobs always an issue popping buttons) but i tgjnk they look old fashioned now anyway - i wear sleeveless or fashionable tops under which looks a lot more up to date if you ask me. Best of luck with your new role!!