Help I need some work clothes!

[itstheyearzero]

I have been working from home for the last two years, but sadly that is coming to an end and I have a new job that means I have to go into the office again. I have put on a bit of weight in the last couple of years...working from home and giving up smoking contributed to this, and now none of my old work clothes fit me! I'm 5 ft 7 and a size 14, all my old clothes ate size 12. I'm doing 5:2 and have lost 7lb so the weight is coming off albeit slowly, so I don't want to spend too much in case I manage to lose a bit more.

So, can you help? It's an IT company and its a client facing role so I have to look fairly smart,but not necessarily suited and booted. I have a bit of a tummy so at the moment I look best in empire line, but there doesn't seem to be much about. I'm going to town tomorrow, we have Next, M and S, Primark, New Look, H&M, Dotty P's, that's about it really. Anybody seen anything suitable? Having a bit of a panic about it...aaaggghhhh.

I know you don't want to spend a lot if you're losing weight but I think in a new (to you) client facing role you really need to bite the bullet and get at least one good quality outfit.

I really rate Reiss and Hobbs for formal workwear, which is not desperately expensive, as it has a bit of an 'edge' .

I'd also caution against the empire line look with a bit of a tummy. IMO it nearly always looks like maternity wear. You'd almost certainly look infinitely smarter (and slimmer) in a good fitted top and a well cut jacket.

Good luck with your new job

I was having a similar dilemma and I'm roughly the same size/height and bought some quite flattering dresses online from Great Plains in their sale.

Reiss not "desperately expensive" I had a look in there last week at their smart worky-type dresses and they were around the £190 mark, with sale dresses being at least £70! Wish I had your budget ;)

Ditto the well cut jacket though, and there's loads about at the moment in H&M, with DP being good for smart-casual dresses underneath. I just bought four of them

Fitted tops, and put a nice scarf around your neck, then hanging down the front - does wonders to hide a tummy. I often wear a dead plain t-shirt style top (but not casual t-shirt, suitable for work type), with black trousers and then use scarves or long necklaces to give some life to the whole look.

Maybe have one nice work dress or less formal suit (dress and jacket maybe?), and then a few pairs of black/navy trousers, and some jackets to either go with or contrast the trousers. So if black trousers and black t-shirt top, a coloured jacket brightens it up. And can mean you don't look like the same every day even though the basics underneath are.

Definitely make sure you have the right bra - properly fitted, supportive, etc - as that will help it all fit together.

I'm an 18 with a bit of a tummy, but if it ever comes up in conversation in the office, most of the women think I'm a 14. Get the size of top that fits you now, not too loose and definitely not too tight. But if you start out with the plain black basics plan, the jackets can be a bit smaller that the current you (as presumably in a more casual environment, they won't be closed all the time) so you could get the 12 (or even still use what you might have). And the tops are reasonably cheap to get smaller sizes as you loose the weight.

And on trousers, get ones that taper into your leg a bit - do NOT get bootcut or other styles that have masses of material flapping at your ankles. That will also help give you a trimmer profile.

Agree with a lot of the above. Hobbs and LK Bennett are the best bet because the cut is so good but depending on where you live get yourself to a retail outlet where it's all last year's stuff at half price. If, like me, you don't really care what's 'in' or 'this season' then you can get some well cut skirts and trousers for £40 a pop instead of £80 - £100.

Dresses are the way to go with different jackets

Any ideas where I can find tops that are tshirt style but suitable for work without spending a fortune?

maybe try bhs, some nice tops in there right now suitable for work and some 20 and 30% off

wow thanks born all the replies, I popped out for a few wines bite to eat, I'm going to check out allmof the places you suggested now. I have never looked at Reiss or Great Plains, or Hobbs, so will def have a look at those. I'll let you know how I get on!

ooh with dresses what should in wear on my very white legs in this weather???

Ordered two tops from Great Plains in the sale. Bargainous! Thanks for the tip walrus! Off to look at Hobbs now...its going to be an expensive night....

try Cos - i think it's really good for work. i wore a new dress from there this week and got loads of compliments. it was this one

Also, slightly more expensive - Whistles. They should have a 20% off promotion in the autumn and again they have nice clothes.

most of my clothes are from Cos or Whistles at the moment.

Oh..the Cos stuff is stunning. How did I not know about this shop? what's the sizing like ?

It's probably slightly on the larger side I think. i would go for a 38 or 40 if I were you and see how it goes. The website has free returns if you can't get to a shop. It's tricky to shop there online though - everything is much nicer in rl than it is online!

also Jigsaw sale started this week - they may have some nice dresses and jackets too.

Hi me again! Just after some more advice, I tried this dress on today and it looked lovely, really flattering. I didn't buy it as the only one in my size was damaged, so before I order it online do you reckon its suitable for work? I'm thinking of Autumn/winter with tights rather than wearing it now. Or is it too eveningy?

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_038010181460_-1

The dress looks fine and ok for work and if you want to wear it in winter maybe wear it with tights even some wooly ones