Dressing smart for work

[crazymuseummumtobe]

This sounds like such a whinge, but I'm really struggling to dress smart for work. Thankfully this is 100% pressure in putting on myself, I'm in a back office role and it's definitely not business smart. But I'm currently going to work in blue jeans, pull on trainers (even my shoes are all too small suddenly), and a range of mat t-shirts. I t afford a whole new work wardrobe, and am currently trying to find some black skinny mat jeans that will stay up.

How did you manage work dressing when suddenly your whole wardrobe doesn't fit anymore?

Thanks.

Seraphine dresses are perfect workwear. Try eBay

Oh plus jackets last a much longer time through pregnancy so I've found that I can wear maternity jeans and a vest top and still feel relatively smart by wearing a smart jacket

I got some maternity jeans from eBay and H&M in the sale.
Also wore wrap dresses with a cardigan / blazer also from eBay
I did live in ballet pumps as my feet got wider and bigger
Then wore jeans and jumpers in the winter before I took my maternity leave

I'm wearing whatever the hell I feel comfy in whether they like it or not!! Haven't got the money to buy a new maternity work wardrobe!

I wore floaty maternity dresses from asda in the sale with maternity leggings and flat shoes.
I looked fairly smart but definitely not as smart as I usually would.

Thanks for the tips, ladies. Ballet pumps are a good idea for smartening up a bit once I'm at work. I think I'll have to stick to trainers for my commute, 2 x 25 minute walk plus time on the train!

I’ve been in maternity jeans and boots and “smart” shirts - 90% of my interaction is via phone, email or video conference so from the waist up no one cares. Even if I was client facing I’d like to think being pregnant they’d make some concessions..

I picked up some bargain Isabella Oliver, Seraphine and Mamas&papas dresses from eBay (about £5 each) and a pair of cheap black trousers from Asda.

I got two pairs of black trousers and a pair of jeans.

I got a couple of H&M maternity t-shirt style tops, and 1 maternity shirt.

I decided to sacrifice a M&S polonecked jumper to maternity (I had 3 the same - it actually shrank back into shape afterwards!!) as it was winter. And I bought 1 cardigan to go around the bump over the tops and shirt.

I dressed up the tops and jumper with different coloured scarves I already had (I had 2 black tops, a white and then I think 2/3 other plain coloured ones). And I had 1 chunky necklace to make it different...

I lived in a pair of yoga pants which went under the bump when at home....

Ditto the dresses - I have one from seraphine and a couple of others from Dorothy Perkins (think they were £10-15 each in the sale). Wore them with the same boring lace-ups I’ve always worn, and my work cardigans that are now comically small but don’t look terrible just left hanging by my sides.

I bought a pair of black leggings feel jeans from H&M and am wearing maternity basic tops with my summer kimono jackets open.
Alternatively, leggings and a couple of jersey maternity dresses that can be worn in/out of work.

Most workplaces know that it's not worth a pregnant woman buying a whole new wardrobe so cut them some slack.

Shoes are my real issue at the moment for me.

I've got a load of dresses from eBay, Dorothy Perkins and boohoo and just rotate them with leggings/tights and ballet pumps. I couldn't wear trainers to work (not allowed) but look smart enough.

Boohoo maternity changed my life. Cheap floaty dresses have seen me through the summer and are now seeing me into autumn with the addition of leggings and a cardigan. SO much more comfortable than trousers.

Before boohoo educated me, I was spending a fortune on bloody ASOS maternity clothes which I massively regret! Doesn't have to be great quality or expenny when you only need them to last 9 months!

congrats OP

Charity Shop blazers to smarten up your outfit?