help me find a work wardrobe please

[QueenOfIndecision]

Please be gentle it's my first thread in style and beauty. i never thought i'd be over here having not much of either!
Anyways, I've recently gone back to work after a period as a sahm.
i'm not really a clothesy person but could do with looking good to make me feel confident as i approach new places and situations.
I work in a professional job - similar to a speech and language therapist - but not that! don't want to out myself.
i'm 5ft5, 10st6, 34c carry most of my weight around my middle these days, pale skin dark hair.
i don't have lots to spend but i've lost weight so nothing fits and my pre-DC clothes look a bit outdated now.
i've been wearing black trousers with a smartish purple top of some description virtually all the time since i went back to work and i'm getting bored. i don't like skirts that much as i find tights uncomfortable - have a few in my wardbrobe but never get them out.
Does anyone have any gentle suggestions about what i could wear?

guess my poor dress sense may be beyond mumsnet redemption?

You're a bit limited if you don't like wearing skirts/dresses! Have you thought about trying some different styles/lengths/colours of trousers? E.g. cigarette, cropped, 7/8 length, loose fit (but not with mum boots), tapered, beige, coloured, etc.. You can also change your look instantly with different accessories - shoes maketh the outfit!

Maybe a personal shopper at somewhere like John Lewis might be a good idea to show you some possibilities and how to put outfits together. It sounds as though you might be afraid of colour too (how many purple tops do you own?!) so perhaps you just need to be shown how other things can look good?

I hated tights until I tried Wolford - they are expensive but buy them a size up in 50 denier and they feel like leggings. Opened up the world of dresses

If you like trousers, how about a really good jacket? Great if you carry weight around your middle. Zara have a good selection. Good suggestion from Suburban about having a personal shopper, they can be great for getting new ideas.

My work wear uniform (am around the same weight and height as you Queen) tends to be slim-fit trousers, jacket and a t-shirt style top. The alternative is jacket, skirt and top. Paired with a big necklace or scarf, shoes or boots, you can get loads of wear out of the same pieces.

Black, white, beige, grey are great for neutral pieces - you can then go wild with some leopard print or bright accessories. If you have pale skin, bright colours can look great - blue, emerald green, purple (violet rather than a warm purple). Blue and green look lovely together with dark hair - how about navy trousers, a blue button-up shirt and green jacket?

If you carry weight around your middle (apple shape) you're likely to have good legs - show them off in capri or slim-cut trousers and keep the top half loose.

Good luck with the shopping!

OP, you have the exact same statistics as me! I'm also 10 st 6 and five foot five.

I would say tailoring is key AND good underwear. As you are apple shaped like me, you need to create the illusion of a smaller waist. First, get the right underwear - I like moulded bras as you can't see any nipple action and they give a good shape.

Then, invest in a nice, single breasted (never double) jacket from Next - they do some nice ones with matching shift dresses that you can also wear with a little cardigan.

I'm guessing you have good legs - wrap dresses are always a good staple.

Another look I like is a woollen skirt from Laura Ashley with a jersey top and a blazer from the Boden catalogue. Wearing the heavier material in the skirt works well but never wear bulky tops ie thick woollen jumers - they just exaggerate the weight in your top half and you want to balance it. Jersey material tops are more flattering as you can ruche them around any wobbly bits.

Thick opaque tights in winter look nice - the soft and shiny ones from M and S.

Don't buy shoes that are too delicate looking as remember, you are trying to balance out your figure. A nice pair of knee boots in winter look good with a fairly thick heel.

Also, beware of small, floral patterns which can be very ageing!

Hope that helps.