work wardrobe for office job after 10 years in nhs uniform. HELP!

[Jellybabyjen]

Starting a new job in 2 weeks, working for local council, office based but variety of offices & out & about with community charities/groups on an almost daily basis.

I am totally clueless about what to buy to wear, have been in NHS for last 10 years-no work clothes required! I know suits are too much but are black trousers & a top the way to go? And what about shoes??

I'm 30, size 10 and have dyed red hair, I want to look professional- I usually have quite quirky dress sense, bright patterns, 50s dresses etc out of work but just have no idea where to start buying. Help me lovely ladies!!

Councils are fairly low key unless you're a manager so you might find your normal dress sense works fine.

I do wear suits just for ease. They're only from M&S so not expensive. I have a variety of minimal iron tops to wear with them.

Find clothes you're confident in but don't flash the flesh if you're meeting outside clients.

I love dorothy Perkins skater dresses, cheap and cheerful, modest but smart with flats and tights. I work in quite a smart office and am about your age and size with red hair!

Thanks, I'm thinking some dresses and ballet pumps as well as the staple work trousers & tops. Credit card about to take a battering!

Lovely have a local Dorothy Perkins so will head there tomorrow. Thanks ladies, I bought a pencil skirt suit for the interview but felt pretty uncomfortable. Especially as interviewers were quite casual!

Try Matalan for smart casual dresses. I also find some good tops and dresses in sainsburys. How about getting a couple of things and then reevaluate again in 6 weeks after you get a feel for the place?

That's good advice Jakadaal,its tough to know what's going to be suitable for office/commmunity/lots of time in the car as it is quite a rural area. Any suggestions for shoes? I'm thinking Clarks for comfort but from the website they don't look the most stylish!

I bought a pair of Fly London patent black wedges when I returned to work 3 years ago and they are still going strong. Other than that I quite like Clark's or m&s.

I work in an NHS office and find that workwear is relatively relaxed and the suits only come out for big meetings