Austerity wardrobe?

[Changebagsandgladrags]

I'm going back to work in 6 weeks and I need work clothes (5 days a week). Work in an office, but don't need suits, just smart.

Have £50.

I have some grey trousers which fit OK. In have a pinky vesty top, a black dress which just about fits.

Black shoes (flat)

That's it, I am buggered aren't I?

I buy workplace basics from Tesco and Asda, they're cheap enough to build a capsule wardrobe of work clothes over a relatively short time.

Ebay. You could get loads with fifty quid.

Primark

Charity shops

I was going to suggest Primark as well.

You need to shop wisely but it can be done.

Agree with Primark, and Asda. Also look at H&M.

Maybe try a white shirt that you could wear different coloured vest tops under, Primark do a great range for £2 each.

I'd say another pair of trousers, maybe navy? Also a couple of scarfs too.

It is possible!!
First you need to add a few key items. These are all h&m as it was easier but you could find similar in the supermarkets, primark, etc.
A white shirt
www.hm.com/gb/product/96271?article=96271-A

A black pencil skirt
www.hm.com/gb/product/99244?article=99244-B#article=99244-D

A cardigan
www.hm.com/gb/product/95969?article=95969-F#article=95969-C

A belt
www.hm.com/gb/product/98339?article=98339-A#article=98339-A

These come to about £40 so you could add a pop of colour with another skinny belt or neck scarf, and with your next pay packet invest in another pair of shoes- maybe a kitten heel and another cardigan too.

Day 1 - black pencil skirt, white shirt, cardi, belt and your black flats
Day 2 - your grey trousers, your pink top and your black flats
Day 3 - your black dress, cardi and your black flats
Day 4 - your grey trousers, white shirt, cardi and your black flats
Day 5 - your black dress, belt and your black flats

Hope this helps in some way :-)

Mlp76 - I hope you're blogging or have a column or something. That has to be one of the single most helpful posts I have ever seen on here.

Changebags - hope your return to work is a good one.

Ha ha no, and I have never even posted before but love clothes and lurking on here!

I am actually in the early stages of labour and this has been keeping my mind busy in the early hours!!! Thank you for the positive comment :-) xx

Mip76 I just wanted to add what a helpful reply that was! I am constantly striving to create a capsule wardrobe for work and you explained it so well. Hope your labour is going ok

Ebay is your friend! Enter exactly what you want even down to brand and see what comes up. You may find you can afford more and better quality and some of the clothes are vgc

This is going to sound mad. I have just done a wardrobe cull, mostly getting rid of worn out or dated stuff. I do have a Next skirt suit size 12t in mulberry. It's one of their cheaper ones so not fantastic quality and very definitely a 12 so always been too big for me. Still has tags on and off to charity shop unless you want me to post it to you? Also a White with black polka dots top from kalico, jersey fitted style. I bought to wear to office - it's quite smart - but a mad purchase as I am very pale. Again has tags on - is a big size 8, would be a 10 in a less mature shop. Please PM if either any good for building up your capsule.

Ebay is your friend! Enter exactly what you want even down to brand and see what comes up. You may find you can afford more and better quality and some of the clothes are vgc

I second that. You should be able to get plain basic skirts and trousers by decent labels like DKNY, Jigsaw and so on for just a few pounds. They don't go for anything like as much money as pretty dresses or more fashiony styles do.

Mlp - thanks for that. Really helpful for me. too. Can't believe you posted that while in labour. Respect.

I will often wear a black top and black trousers with boots and change the scarf and jewellry.

so I have scarves in red, turquoise and black and white, green, blue and just chop and change for a while.

Til I get bored and go to a sale somewhere.

What sort of scarf? And jewellery for that matter. I can't get the hang of accessories but I like the sound of that outfit.

Mip, another fan of your styling! Seriously, you should blog or share your expertise in some way. But I'm guessing you'll be busy in the coming months.... best of luck with labour!

Op don't have much to add but to say I get a lot of officey-stuff in primark and new look have some cheap blouses too. Well worth a look. Make sure your hair and nails are neat and you'll be fab.