Start from scratch work wardrobe

[darksparrow]

Help.

I am going back to work in an office after 5 years of freelance/SAHM. I have nothing - looked in the work bag and it is dire and all too small . I'm a size 14 apple atm but want to be smaller!

So I need to start from scratch. It is not going to be a suit kind of place, local authority office, so I am thinking more skirts and smart cardigans. I prefer skirts to trousers as I have good legs and find them more comfortable.

I've not been paid yet, so need smart but cheap and thinking along the lines of:

2 skirts
2 plain dresses
3 cardigans
5 tops

Is this enough?

I have 2 pairs of black shoes and a pair of navy shoe boots. I have a nice light grey wool smart coat.

I've had my colours done and want to avoid black - navy and grey are good base colours for me. Not too sure where to go. My Dsis has said go to Next for the dresses - I'm not too sure. Budget as low as possible but I don't want to look cheap - want to look like the boss (have a team to manage - yikes). Anyone got any ideas? Cannot face Primark....

Congratulations on your new job!

I'd aim for 6-9 different outfits (not a multiple of 5, otherwise Monday becomes Dress A day, Tuesday Skirt and Top B day, etc.).

Perhaps add another skirt or dress, and a jacket for meetings and times when you would like to look a bit more formal?

Ebay and charity shops are good for good quality cheaper clothes.

What season are you?

Next dresses on ebay (all sleeveless - could wear with a slightly stretchy shirt underneath)

structured mid-grey

really like this one but might be too dark?

tailored with a scoop neck

and a few other bits:

Great Plains bird skirt

pretty jumper from the same seller but might be a bit informal

grey M&S Autograph skirt

Whistles navy tweed

Phase Eight wrap dress

Am in a similar situation, back to work in January after preg/mat leave. Have just got a few tops from Lands' End and although they are not the most exciting of items, they're good quality, came in petite fittings (I'm little) and I found a 20% off code somewhere when I ordered so decent value.