What will you be wearing for work this summer - I need inspiration?!

[saltyseadog]

I am really stuck for what to wear, but I'm conscious that I need to get buying now before the decent stuff disappears.

I'm especially keen to hear from fellow tall, athletic build types (athletic is not the same as skinny :( ).

Salty - you sound the same as me. I am 5 ft 10 and a large 10. I do a lot of exercise and am quite toned, but thighs/bottom will never be small.

I am planning to wear lots of dresses or skirts and tops with wedges. I have recently bought a plain black tee and camel top from Zara that i think will go with a lot of things. Have also bought this dress which is v flattering on. I have quite a few knee length skirts that I can wear from previous years, plus if I have no meetings, then maxi skirts or dresses. I bought this maxi skirt to wear with plain black top and either wedges or flats.

I guess it depends on how formal your workplace is as well. I do have a relatively lightweight black linen mix suit from (whisper it....M and S) that is great, and a couple of more formal, but summery, suits from Jigsaw.

PS - there are pics of me in two of those things linked to above on my profile, so you can see how they look on a normal sized 40 year old, as opposed to a size 6-8 20 year old.....

www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33053&storeId=12552&productId=2321828&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208783&parent_categoryId=226988&pageSize=20

www.coast-stores.com/NOLA-FULL-SKIRT-DRESS/Dresses/coast/fcp-product/2224733009

I have got the two dresses above for when I have to go to meetings. I'm normally in jeans, converse, hoodies as I'm ususally in stores or in the garage.
If I'm outdoors it is normally TNF, Berghaus and Rab but I guess their spring/ summer range isn't going to be much use to you!!

I don't go to an office, though I do go to work meetings, and I have bought two pairs of "Audrey Hepburn" style low waisted, very slightly cropped summer trousers from Incotex (one brown, one white) which look smart worn with ballet flats and a blouse and cape (for spring) and a twinset (for summer).

I'm 1m74 and a 10/12.

I love that stripy one on you notyummy! I dont have funds at the moment, but would buy that in a shot!

my budget is unfortunately cheap(!)
I have a couple of nice skirts from previous years and am trying to find tops to go with them at the moment..
I bought the 5th dress on page 19 and these shoes and they had their first outing yesterday!

I would love to spend more on stuff, but I am still looking too!

I've been looking for new workwear (5'9, sz 14 36a) unsuccessfully, so that Oasis dress is a perfect find for me

I've ordered some palazzo pants from ASOS which look lovely, and as they tell you exactly how tall the model is you know if they'll fit. A lot of the dresses would be indecent for work though !

I love the Oasis dress too! 5 foot 7, size 12 big bum 32C! However the Palazzo pants would make me feel like a tent!

This

I quite like the look of the the pleated midi and maxi skirts that have been all over the press recently. However I haven't actually seen any in real life, and I suspect that they would actually emphasise all my worst points!

That Oasis dress comes in black and white as well as camel/black.

Depending on your shape and type of work, shirt dresses could be an option? There are loads of them around this year.

I don't own one, but this dress has got a lot of love from other S and B ladies. In the sale now!

I like that stripey dress Upahill, although suspect it would slightly too short on me. I am a bit of a prude with workwear - plus in summer when I can't hide in opaques I don't particularly like my knees so prefer things that hide them!

I think Dotty Ps and Oasis both have a few dresses that would work as workwear in a lot of offices/workplaces. Not outrageously priced and not all ridiculously short - although I did send back the other Oasis things I had ordered on the basis that they were too short. They were more evening/weekend dresses though.

Bonsoir - I go to work meetings too - and I've just bought myself some capri pants from Paul and Jo (The Outnet) at £55. They look smart but summery and look nice with flatties and wedge heels.

www.theoutnet.com

I love that Phase 8 dress, and the oasis one notyummy!

I will go and try the Oasis one on tomorrow, I am especially pleased as it looks great on you - I always remain unconvinced on Oasis due to the short length of their dresses.

I'll order the Phase 8 dress, although it might be a bit large (no 12s left unfortunately).

Thanks for all of the other suggestions. I do like the stripy DP dress v.much - I saw it in store the other day - but I don't think it will provide me with much bum cheek coverage sadly.