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Original poster

help me find a work wardrobe!

16 replies

shelley72 · 18/04/2011 15:17

i am going back to work in 2 weeks Sad and all my pre preg work clothes are now too big. so lovely people i need help with a work wardrobe. i will be working 3 days a week and there is no dress code. i also need something that i can express / feed in. am thinking tops and trousers but open to suggestions! will also need footwear and poss new underwear too. am 37, 5ft7 and size 12 (10/12 top).

however the challenge for you is that i dont want to spend a fotune (thiink high st prices) as i will be earning less than before, more nursery fees and have redundancy threat looming.

so any ideas please???

OP posts:
Original poster
shelley72 · 19/04/2011 07:50

please? am really struggling to find anything suitable. work in an office so need to look presentable but no need for suits etc. wondering if a dress would be good - easy to put on without having to think too much?

tia

ps have just realised that i have started lying about my age Blush, im actually 38 if it makes a difference to what i should be wearing!

OP posts:
Gillybobs · 19/04/2011 08:19

I recently discovered dresses for work and havent looked back! Years of trying to pair up trousers/skirts and tops are now behing me.

Ive bought a few from M&S and they are fantastic, pull them on, add a pair of earrings and your dressed .

Something like this? easy to accessorize/dressup

I'd get a few similar things then some nice court shoes, structured bag (Next always good for these) and few bits of costume jewellery. Maybe get a nice bright cropped cardi to go over the dresses if its cool?

If your budget will stretch to it I think a nice trench coat is brilliant for work, makes me feel very pulled together. Again, M&S and Next are ideal

Good luck

sowhatshallido · 19/04/2011 08:34

I really like that dress! I may have to go to M and S!

nappydaysagain · 19/04/2011 08:39

I'm going back to work in 2 weeks too. Just reading your post made my heart sink Sad. I suppose I ought to be sorting out a work wardrobe too instead of trying to block all work related thoughts from my mind.

I'll keep watching this thread.

Original poster
shelley72 · 19/04/2011 12:12

nappydays me too, have just been for a look for nursery clothes for DD and cried all the way home. mat leave has gone so quick. i know i am not going to be able to leave her. my heart is breaking. even shopping cant cheer me up Sad

gillybobs i do like that dress but it would mean showing my fat legs. any way i could disguise them?

OP posts:
Gillybobs · 19/04/2011 13:01

I wear my dresses with opaques in the winter and nude fishnet tights in the spring summer, I am very pale skinned and dont always have time to fake tan so find nude fishnets a life saver, hides a multitude but no sweaty (sorry) issues. Get them from dept stores.

forehead · 19/04/2011 14:05

DP, have got a sale today . Go online.

Gillybobs · 19/04/2011 14:21

I tried that Forehead, there is almost nothing left already! : (

nappydaysagain · 19/04/2011 17:27

Well I've just been shopping and got a few bits in preparation for my return. I can't link Blush sorry.

I got a couple of new bras as all of my current ones are nursing bras. I'm not planning on expressing at work as DS3 will be 11 months (I don't even know if this is going to work as I'm still feeding him twice in the day as well as morning and before bed). I thought if I got some tshirt bras they would be suitable as they are thick.

I went to Zara and got a lovely knee length (on me as I'm only 5 foot) navy skirt which is slightly pleased and has a brown belt, and a spotty sort of blouse/top. I also got a bretton t-shirt which I keep seeing recommended on here.

I bought some very practical work flip flops in Accessorize Grin. Ok not work practical but very pretty and I will prob wear for work anyway!

This should do me for now as I'm only going back a couple of days a week. I did feel quite tearful just getting stuff for work though Sad.

Hope I'm not hi-jacking the thread, just wanted to share the torture of returning!

Original poster
shelley72 · 19/04/2011 20:00

not at all! good to share the pain Wink. i too have a nearly 11 month old who feeds like crazy so not sure how that will work out!

off to check out zara now, thanks!

OP posts:
Emo76 · 19/04/2011 20:29

Hello, I think Oasis is a great stop for work things though I am not sure how breast escaping friendly their things are. They usually have good sales on though so worth a shot. Also Warehouse! Good luck, I am a recent returner myself so feeling your pain.

nappydaysagain · 19/04/2011 20:42

Are you going to be expressing at work shelley72? I was hoping to avoid this and haven't even discussed with work that I'm breastfeeding so no arrangements have been made if I need to express.

When I was out shopping today DS3 went without a BF from around 9 until 3.30pm which is the longest he's gone and I didn't feel too uncomfortable. When I'm back at work I'll feed first thing (around 7am) but wont be at my mum's to pick him up until aound 5.15 pm so I'm hoping it will all work out.

Original poster
shelley72 · 20/04/2011 08:02

yes i was planning to at least try to express - despite my managers recommendation that i really should wean her off BF at her age Angry. hence the need for boob escaping tops to keep it S&BWink. DD is dairy intolerant so a bit limited in what she can have drink-wise and she has never taken EBM either. am not sure how much i can express as she's never gone longer than about 4 hours between feedsShock or been without me that long. we have a settling visit this morning and its going to be hard Sad

OP posts:
nappydaysagain · 20/04/2011 20:27

Sorry not had chance to mumsnet until now. How did it go this morning? Hope it wasn't too hard on you both.

Angry at what your manager said to you, do you have a HR Department who might be more supportive and give advice to your manager?

Original poster
shelley72 · 21/04/2011 08:24

quick msg as we have been up ALL night, DD has a sickness bug. it was hard. i left her a whole half hour. she cried. i cried (lots, all day). went out for a wander and i could still hear her cry. will try again next week Sad. DS eventually settled so she prob will too but she is so much more attached to me. doesnt help that im going back to a job i hate for very little reward.

as for work, i BF DSfor 19.5 months and expressed when i went back to work with him so really they should know better than try to offer their bloody stupid opinions advice!

shopping wise, i bought a pair of black trousers in oasis sale (£15, bargain) and bright blue drapey top and a white t shirt in oasis. also have my eye on this in BR sale dress. also got a cheap pair of shoes in next. not particularly stylish or beautiful but resent payiong lots for work!!!

OP posts:
nappydaysagain · 22/04/2011 17:22

Aah hopefully she'll be a bit more settled next time.

Glad you've got a few bits sorted for work.

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