Back to work and no clue what to wear

[TickledOnion]

I've been on maternity for 11 months, due to start work in early Jan. I've just had a look through my old work clothes and realised that I have very little that fits and what does fit looks terrible.

I am 5ft 3, curvy size 12-14 with big thighs, big boobs and a very flabby tummy. My old "uniform" consisted of Next wide leg trouser suits, plain or striped shirts untucked to hide my tummy and ankle boots.

I don't have to wear a suit for work, but I am no good at co-ordinating and cardigans look wrong on top of shirts so suits seem like an easy (but boring) option. I don't often wear skirts or dresses but mostly because I never have the right shoes or tights.

Please help me.

Anyone? Please?

I only ever wear dresses to work, no need to think about putting a top and bottom half together. When I returned to work after 12 months off on ml I bought 3 dresses from Mary Portas at House of Fraser, they were reduced from £120 ish to £40-£50 each and they are such good quality, really heavy thick jersey/wool and really well cut. Don't need ironing either, just wash and put on hanger to dry.

I like the idea of wearing dresses but I don't know what suits me. Don't you need a flattish stomach to wear a dress?
I used to be an hourglass but have put on weight and it's all gone on my middle. So now I just look lumpy and bloated in a dress.

I think it just depends on the style of the dress. I am pear shaped with flat checst and a big bum, I wear dresses that hug a bit but usually some kind of draping over belly. Also I wear control top tights or spanx if I think I need them!

I don;t have big boobs but I have heard good things about pepperberry dresses for those that do. What about something like this?

www.bravissimo.com/pepperberry/products/dresses/work-dresses/cross-front-jersey-dress/bottle-green/pd124bgr/?show=16&sort=1&exclusive=false&new=false&sale=false&level=1