Work wear nightmare! Help me!!!

[Fruitbatdancer]

I know iabu.
I’m a size 22/24.
I have a fancy new big job in the city and I’m actually going to have to go into the office sometimes after hiding in my home office for 18 months. I’ve hired a personal trainer, but ya know, miricles don’t happen overnight.
I am classic apple, all
Tummy no arse. Big boobs. I need to look put together!
I need 2 outfits I think, one dress maybe and one top and trousers with jacket/ suit? I need a coat, oh and new shoes, and a scarf that says ‘designer’ but I have no idea what’s cool! Is Burberry still a thing? Jesus. I am so uncool. I like v neck not high neck as my boobs are only thing I love! Motherhood has stolen what (very) little style and glam I had.

Any ideas welcome. Budget entirely flexible! Style more important that ££££!

Else I’m going in loungewear and I’ll be fired week 1!!

I'm same size. I shop at simply be a lot. Jo browns dresses are lovely for work. I need to wear a blazer every day. I prefer sainsburys for blazers than ones I've bought at simply be, but it sounds like you have a better budget than me.

Try looking for a few wrap style tops and dresses. Work wonders for most shapes especially big boobs. Also they will work well if you do lose weight/drop a size or two. I am a 22 on top but 26 on bottom and they work for me. I have a wrap coat from M&S that buttons up but also has a belt and i always feel so smart when i wear it. I wouldn't worry about a designer scarf (mine get makeup on). I wear a lovely black pashmina that goes with everything and is super warm.

If you want something designer, get a designer bag.

A few pieces that make you feel fabulous will help no end.

Ok, I strongly recommend Hobbs for a work dress. I’m a similar shape to you and they do good, solid styles in interesting colours if you don’t want a black/grey uniform. I think colour can carry you a long way.

Boden can also do some nice dresses, but a bit less formal, so may not be what you want. I find that even “work formal” is a lot less formal that it was, but may depend on your employer as some as still very old school.

As an aside you you want/need a trouser suit? I find they are much less flattering that a dress, the jackets do nothing for a decently sized chest and it’s hard not to look bigger than you are. I go with nice cardigans, or if I want to wear trousers a tailored slim fit pair in a print/colour, loose top and fitted blazer.

I’m rubbish at shoes and accessories so can’t help there 😕

Hope this helps & good luck with the new job!

Join the Style Sisterhood Facebook group and search for 'apple'...there will be loads of ideas. Or you could go to a big department store and get a personal shopper for half a day?

Good luck in your new job!!

Following as I’m in a similar situation.

I do have a couple of cocoon dresses from Roman which are super flattering for an apple, have pockets!! and are smart enough for work wear.

Also second wrap dresses.

I’ve gone from a job where I had to wear uniform, to then WFH for 18 months, to then having to go back in the office having put on a fair amount of weight, so I’ve had to start from scratch with my work wardrobe. I feel your pain!

You could also go somewhere like John Lewis and get a Personal Shopper appointment. I’m a size 18 and having a nightmare getting an outfit for a wedding so I have an appointment there this weekend. I used them a couple of years ago for another wedding and they were very helpful, and got to try on many different styles and colours that I would never have considered before.

I think a couple of dresses and jackets may be more flattering than trousers/skirts and a jacket.

Studio 8 and Frank Lyman both have great dresses in larger sizes, although you'll have to work your way through a lot of stuff that's aimed at wedding guests.

For a classic statement scarf, you can't beat Liberty.

I also think the personal shopper idea is a good one.

Also try Cos and Kin at John Lewis. Both good at oversized and cuts are flattering. Try a shirt dress from Cos, they come up big in some things.

Hello and congrats on the new job! You need a blazer that can go over dresses - I would actually get 2, one smart black one and one tailored jersey one which is a bit softer but will still make you look put together. Then you can wear simple comfortable dresses, tights and flats (I assume as an apple shape you have nice legs?).

I did a personal shopper thing at fenwicks when I needed a suit for work. It was suggested on here. It was amazing. They brought loads and loads of stuff from a whole price range of 30 quid up to 600. It really let me relax and just try stuff on without getting flustered. I came out with the most amazing suit that was completely flattering. I've lost some weight since then and I'm actually loathe to lose more as it effects the fit of the suit! 😂. Def get a personal shopping appointment in a department store. Best thing I did!

You don't mention your size and style, but I'm a similar size to you in professional services on the City. Much of my workwear is from Studio 8 / John Lewis / Navabi. Often dresses with black tights, Smart heels fron van Dahl, and statement Jewelry. Sometimes wear a blazer but not always. I sometimes buy dresses and get shoulder pads inserted for a more office look

I have gone down a few sizes now but I found Boden was best for work clothes when I was size 20/22. I stuck to dresses, was never able to find trousers or a suit that would look nice for work. The Boden dresses that were made from “ponte” were my go to. I would have liked a jacket but could never find one that looked right on me either, but I think a long sleeve dress with a scarf was smart enough.

Ok - get a Missoni scarf from tkmax, currently massively reduced and all of them elegant and easy to style with anything

For the suit, try some suit separates from the curve range at Asos, you can order a few and find one that best suits you

Definitely get a good quality wrap dress - look at monsoon and go for either a navy or dark green rather than black

A good pair of ankle boots will go with both, get some with a curved top as it will look more flattering with tights and make your legs look longer and leaner

Oh! And for the coat, go for a wool blend or a Mac type fitted style with a flared waist, it’ll be much better than a straight Coat with either outfit

Dress -
www.asos.com/asos-curve/asos-design-curve-batwing-twist-front-midi-skater-dress-in-navy/prd/200574866?ctaref=we+recommend+carousel_0&featureref1=we+recommend+pers

Scarf - www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/accessories/hats-scarves+gloves/scarves/multicoloured-zig-zag-scarf/p/19444598?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=OrganicShopping&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&utm_term=1944459809999&gclid=CjwKCAiAm7OMBhAQEiwArvGi3LE2JF-XDrsOIxdCtZfyaDKh6-zUhvABrs0cZ405qvye4q5P2gfPaxoCu1AQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Have a look at Monsoon for nice tailored office dresses, they go up to a 24 these days. I wore their dresses for the last 15yrs in a smart office and court environment.

Also in the same situation, so following. And shoes. I've got feet that can't countenance anything more than flip flops or trainers after so long.

Went to the office in my trusty brogues last week and feet are shredded.

I'm an 18-20, always corporate before but it's a bit more relaxed, no idea.

OP my strong recommendation would be to book a personal shopper appointment at John Lewis on Oxfordshire street. They are excellent and will fix this for you within one two hour appointment.

Oxford street not Oxfordshire! Dyac.

@user1477249785 John Lewis are absolutely crap for plus sizes though - do they carry much in store there? They don't elsewhere in their stores.

Hi op, I'm exactly the same size as you. I love 'Yours clothing' I get a lot from them and find they have lots that you can dress up and down. Hope that helps

I take a size 18, so lots easier to find, although often buying the largest size available.
I find separate jackets and trousers more flattering than a suit - a way of injecting pattern or colour withut it being a huge blob. I also like short boxy jackets rather than blazer style - but I'm not especially tall.
I wear dresses more in summer - but long knitted skirts are flattering on days I don't fancy wearing trousers.

Next used to do decent workwear in plus sizes. Also try Thread which sources from loads of different stores and actually works well if you put in all your details about sizes and style preferences etc at the start. Good range of prices and styles. And I think you get 20% off when you submit your first order.

Once you know what size you are in certain brands, get on Vinted.

People are selling their work wardrobes with not going in as much & there’s some absolute bargains to be had.

What colours suit you?