Please please can you help me to find a work wardrobe on a tight budget that is not business dress but not casual jeans either. Can anyone rise to the challenge?

[Notalone]

I am a university student in my 3rd year about to do a mental health placement. This is my last placement before I qualify after which I hope to find a job in a similar environment. I have lived in jeans etc for the past 3 years and now need a wardrobe suitable for work that is smartish but not business smart. I used to work in an office but after 3 years I feel really out of the loop!

I have a very tight budget so can anyone suggest some ideas / looks / actual pieces I could consider buying. Apparently leggings are ok providing the rest of the outfit is smart if this helps at all?

Thanks in advance

I would try to dress a bit smarter than leggings, it just makes you look more professional.

I think black fitted trousers (next or m and s) with a three quarter length sleeve shirt, a nice cardigan.

www.marksandspencer.com/Wide-Leg-Plain-Stretch-Trousers/dp/B004ECQ1DA?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_8&nodeId=547483031&sr=1-8&qid=1295946856&pf_rd_r=0CCQ9EA7MCY9C10FVXN2&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=547483031&pf_rd_p=215570647&pf_rd_s=related-items-3

www.marksandspencer.com/Una-Cotton-Print-Appliqu%C3%A9-Shirt/dp/B003XTDDN6?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_6&nodeId=590600031&sr=1-6&qid=1295946903&pf_rd_r=1ZDZAWVEBREHN14Z97WE&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=590600031&pf_rd_p=215570647&pf_rd_s=related-items-3

cardigan

Oooh - I really like those trousers and the cardie. Not as keen on the shirt but this is a really good start. Thanks Cristiane!

this is quite nice

there is an enormous range though. and you could try charity shops, i always find good tops there.

Now that shirt is lovely! Actually that is a really good idea. I love charity shops and have found some great bargains but always tend to go to the same rails. My local charity shop does have a "smarter" rail which I usually bypass so I think I need to have a dig in there at some point soon

these skirts are the basis of my work wardrobe. I wear them with uniqulo long sleeve T shirts and, usually knee high black boots.

I've found some fab things in charity shops but some of the stuff in Asda is quite good too. I have a waterfall cardi from there like the one Cristiane linked to, but it only cost £9.

There is quite a bit of stuff in their sale

Slug - I love knee high boots and skirt combo's - the tops are great value. I always assumed Uniqlo were really expensive for some reason so that is a pleasant surprise. I like the gold clover skirt on your link too but it is probably a bit beyond my paltry budget at present.

twolittlemonkeys - not been to ASDA in ages as we don't have a car at present. We have a fab Asda living store a few miles away too that has a huge range of clothes and I really miss going there. I will have to see if they do online ordering, but I am a bit wary of sale items and not being able to try things on. Are sale items refundable if they don't fit or look right do you know?