Looking professional on a VERY tight budget

[fortheloveofgodgivemeaminute]

Looking for suggestions from you wise MNetters on how to look good with no money...
Have been on maternity leave having 2 DDs in the last 2 years...our financial situation has changed from ok to stretched.
Have to return to work-boo. Need website addresses/suggestions for updating wardrobe appropriate to second level teaching.
I am 42, size 8,5"1.(Used to be an indie/boho chick-now I'm just frazzled and old!)
All suggestions much appreciated.

I saw some really nice looking tailored dresses in Tesco - I think it was this one - for £15 today. Decent fabric, didn't look cheap. M&S sale started today too.

Depends on the formality of your school. I wear a lot of wrap dresses, cardigans (my favourite are £18), with leggings (more value for money per wear than tights) and boots which imo look smart, easy to sort out in the morning and cheaper than separates.

Marksies get ripped apart on here (most of the time for good reasons) but their work wear is pretty good. Last year I got a pencil skirt with a nice pleated detail on the back for £18, and a white shirt for a fiver or something. Both standing up really well despite constant wear. They have a rainbow-selection of crew neck cardies for £18 each- very soft and easy to pop over shirts or dresses. Wash well too. Think capsule wardrobe, get a few good bits now that you can add to as and when you have a bit of spare cash. Way better than having loads of different cheap looking outfits that you feel like crap in!

Another vote for Tesco - their workwear and shift dresses are excellent value.

How about the House of Fraser outlet on E-bay?

Some beautiful dresses (Kenneth Cole, Pied a Terre) at £10-15. Depending on your style there are also bargainous trousers & tops. Delivery is free if your order is over £50 (you could probably buy a few dresses, pairs of trousers or tops for that).

I am trying to justify buying two dresses that I would wear at work; I'm currently on maternity leave!

Yes, horrible photo, lovely cardigans

Supermarket dresses until you are into the swing of getting paid.

If you can, try to make your hair look 'expensive'. It will make all the difference to your outfit.

Adding a scarf to a otherwise plain outfit always makes me feel a bit more 'finished'...so a few scarfs to change the look of an outfit. That way you can get some basics to begin with in safe interchangeable colours, then add as you go along. I agree with the combination of leggings, tunic tops, dresses, cropped cardigans, ankle boots. Oh and few nice pairs of earrings or necklace:) As for where to get them, Primark, Asda, Sainsburys should all be good for basics - have a look at the leggings thread on here, Sainsburys ones are recommended!

Thanks for the suggestions folks..one other question.Have any of you had your colours done-and if so,was it worth it?
Trying to avoid falling into my usual play it safe head to toe black lady Macbeth vibe, but not sure what colours really suit me now.

As a size 8 it's easy to look smart and stylish in cheaper clothes - agree with all the suggestions. If budget stretches to it, try Hawes and Curtis for shirts (about £25 each in the sale and look super smart and last for years). Also try eBay for second hand good quality.

I am looking around too. I find H&M pretty good. There are usually some smartish shirts and the odd dress. Tesco's stuff looks okay but it's usually made of polyester Gap sales are worth a look.

I would go with colors that you like. I find that most people (except my DF) pick colors that suit them. I prefer brown to black. I would forgo the cost of getting colors done and visit a few of the fancier shops, if you don't have any friends who can assit with colors, often the sales people are very good at finding what colors suit you. (you don't have to buy the clothes!)

Also, I have found many good deals at thrift stores. I also look for unlined suits as they can often be washed rather than dry cleaned (money!) and cost a good deal less than lined clothes. If you can stand them.

And I choose sort of a palette -as I said, I like browns, they go with greens and rust colors so I can have a few pairs of pants, or one or two jackets and they all corrdinate nicely. I don't have to buy sets.

Good luck!

Dresses will be cheaper than jacket - shirt- skirt combo. Get three/four if possible and rotate them with different scarves/coloured tights. Boring but inexpensive and workable for months!

Sucks, how have I not known of the ebay HOF before?It's fab!!
Also, while you're all doing so well(!), what type of boots would be most suitable?
Once upon a time, I did actually manage to dress myself, but 3 years of wearing maternity clothes and my slummy mummy clothes of not quite PJs but not fully dressed uniform has hit my style mojo.
That, coupled with the financial restraints, has made it daunting. I really appreciate people taking the time to help.

I know ankle boots are on trend, but personally I like the long flat boot if on my feet all day - got a fab pair from John Lewis in the sale.

I agree re H&M and eBay. I've also managed to find really nice ponte dresses in Sainsburys for about £15. If you just keep it simple (shift dress, opaque tights, smart shoes) you'll look great and it won't cost too much.

For smart work shoes on a budget I'd try T K Maxx or hold out for M&S or Clarks sales.

Glad to be of assistance

Do spill, what has caught your eye on the HoF EBay site? It's a relatively new discovery for me too, but some of the reductions are amazing! I am watching 3 dresses, a pair of jeans, a pair of trousers, a top and a blazer. The whole lot would only cost £68, though. I have been trying to justify the spend to DH myself. I may buy to celebrate DC4 sleeping from 9.30pm to 5am overnight. Makes sense as I did most of my online browsing while breastfeeding at night, so hopefully I won't be doing as much of that! I also just got paid for a lecture I did before going on maternity leave, a small windfall I'd forgotten about.

Re boots, I have two pairs of knee high flat boots that get a lot of wear. One pair black, the other tan. If you choose a smart pair they'll look good with dresses/skinny jeans/leggings. As a PP said TK Maxx is good & you can shop online.

How about these? Or these? Or these black ones? All under £60.

I also got these shoe boots on sale on the regular HoF site.

I recently gave into the ankle boot & bought a pair of high heeled lace ups in the Zara sale (for £9.99!). I can't find them online now, but sales on Zara/Mango/Oasis sites might all be worth a look too.

Off to EBay to place my order, I think!

Sucks...,I loved a swallow print dress, a Linea jacket and a few other tops. Actually enjoyed the process of seeing nice things at reasonable prices!
Don't know how to link them in to show you-boo.
We've had a tough few years financially as DH 's employer went under, we had our DDs and now he's got some temporary work, we'll be forking out for childcare.
It can make it hard to justify spending on yourself when there's a never ending stream of bills to be paid.However, neither do I want to return to work looking like the wreck of the hesperus.
This thread has really perked me up.