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Original poster

oh good god, help me dress myself

34 replies

loombands · 02/09/2014 22:12

I have a new job. And i need to smarten up. Ive only been required to be smart/casual up till now...think English/geography teacher style

I'm useless at this, but i think most effective changes would be some good shirts. I'm a bit plump and misshapen so i don't want really fitted, but don't want big baggy efforts which make me look like a sack of spuds. I'm a bit averse to really formal and would be more comfortable in clothes that have a bit of a twist...even if its just a nice colour/pattern

any suggestions?

also some shoes...im thinking ankle boots?

OP posts:
Amandaclarke · 02/09/2014 22:19

What I have noticed in the last couple of years is that suits are becoming more few and far between, particularly trouser suits - I steadfastly hang onto mine and refuse to give them up as they are a perfect work uniform, however walking around the city today I did feel a bit of a berk as I didn't see any other working women wearing a traditional trouser suit.

I am trying a new look, trying to be smart and corporate but a little less trussed up and formal. I have just bought this dress from Hobbs in both colours and can either wear with a jacket, or a cardigan, opaques and heels or boots.

BOX RED-10&refpage=dresses

minkah · 02/09/2014 22:29

That's a truly fab dress, amandaclarke.

Loom bands, have you looked at gudrunsjoden? Do you like her style?

Original poster
loombands · 02/09/2014 22:36

Ahh..that link doesn't work, but thanks

id be much happier in a dress with suit jacket. I have a couple of suitable dresses. But struggle with jackets also. I have 1 black one i have with bold stitching. Then i bought a grey tweedy one, but that just looks kinda faded/washed out. It might be ok with a black dress

any jacket suggestions?
i also think my long boots aren't professional enough

OP posts:
Amandaclarke · 02/09/2014 22:46

Loombands - dress is the Brunswick from Hobbs, comes in red and blue. I have a short black jacket and a short navy jacket - I could wear both with both dresses colour wise and fit wise jacket has to be short in my opinion as the skirt flares from waist so a longer jacket wouldn't work. I also have a black cardigan and a red cardigan, could wear the black with both and the red with red dress.

I kind of agree about long boots not being professional although some people get away with it and look absolutely fantastic Envy and prefer to stick to opaques and courts or shoe/boots in the winter.

Original poster
loombands · 02/09/2014 22:50

im on laptop now...link working Smile

that dress is great!!

and theres a lot of other nice stuff on there too

ill have a look at gudrunsjoden now minkah thanks Smile

another problem.....i really dont wear heels. what could i wear with this skirt for example?....sandals in the summer and boots in the winter?

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0214-7004-3671L00&productvarid=0214-7004-3671L00-NAVY-18&refpage=skirts/smart-skirts

OP posts:
schmee · 02/09/2014 22:55

Love love love the gudrunsjoden tip minkah.

Monsoon, Boden and M&S did some great jersey blazers in the summer. Their not on their sites at the moment but you might find some on ebay e.g. this

Give a sense of structure without actually being structured.

I think long boots are OK in the workplace, but you might be better with coloured opaque tights and court shoes.

If your lumps and bumps include big boobs, bravissimo might be a good place for shirts, but really I think dresses with a jacket over the top are a much better option.

schmee · 02/09/2014 22:56

Have you thought about booking a personal shopper?

TongueBiter · 02/09/2014 23:02

Amanda - I refuse to stop wearing my traditional trousersuits too Smile I would love to wear more dresses but not always practical at work, and I HATE, LOATHE AND DETEST TIGHTS!!

Amandaclarke · 02/09/2014 23:04

Could you bear to wear a kitten heel?

www.marksandspencer.com/pointed-toe-mid-heel-court-shoes-with-insolia/p/p22327889

or

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0213-S1A5-015H550&productvarid=0213-S1A5-015H550-BLACK-39&refpage=shoes-boots/low-heel-shoes

or

www.dunelondon.com/annielou-pointed-toe-kitten-heel-court-shoe-0085503940169011/

or a flatter block heel

www.next.co.uk/x547000s4#896041x54

Personally I think you need some sort of heel with a skirt or dress - flats work with trousers or for when you running for the train but that's it!

Original poster
loombands · 02/09/2014 23:08

i feel too self conscious to get a personal shopper Blush And would feel obliged to buy summat even if i didnt like it

not loving Gudrun...not for work at least

OP posts:
Original poster
loombands · 02/09/2014 23:10

no no no NO to kitten heels!!

but yes maybe to those little block type heels...i also think a platform type thingy might be ok. I really do wish i wore heels, because i can see it really looks good!

OP posts:
Original poster
loombands · 02/09/2014 23:11

but...those Next block heels have too pointy a toe. I like round toes

OP posts:
mirpuppet · 02/09/2014 23:12

When I went to John Lewis the personal shopper did not accompany to the till -- so no pressure to buy.

I think you should try it -- I have also done - house of fraser; debenehams and independent personal shopper. All good experiences.

Amandaclarke · 02/09/2014 23:13

Message loud and clear - no kitten heels :)

So a round toe and a block heel or a wedge? right give me a minute....

mirpuppet · 02/09/2014 23:14

I'm I looking at the right gudrunsjoden?

Could someone please link

I would not wear those clothes to work.

Amandaclarke · 02/09/2014 23:17

Think I am looking at the wrong page too mirpuppet! If rounding up wilderbest was my new job - perfect!

Minkah - help us out please Smile

Original poster
loombands · 02/09/2014 23:28

is this nice?

OP posts:
Amandaclarke · 02/09/2014 23:33

Yes it's gorgeous - however are you big busted? If yes I would stay away from a high neck and buy V necks with a nice necklace and good underwear.

Original poster
loombands · 02/09/2014 23:35

Oh, i really like the Dune ones!! especially the first ones....do they count as heels?

OP posts:
Original poster
loombands · 02/09/2014 23:37

im 36E bust...is that big? t is a bit droopy Grin

im 5ft8inch...16 on the bottom, 14 on the top (sometimes a 16)

OP posts:
minkah · 02/09/2014 23:39

Ha ha, the gudrunsjoden website probably fixing you by showing all her clothing put together.

You would just pick some pieces, to spice up a plainer work wardrobe.

I made the suggestion with regard to you saying you prefer clothes with a bit of a twist, with colour and pattern.

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minkah · 02/09/2014 23:40

Hmmmm. Image upload fail!

TongueBiter · 02/09/2014 23:42

OP have you had a bra intervention? I'm at least a 16 on top and wear a 32gg - not any of the 36/38 DD/E bras that I used to think fitted me!

Amandaclarke · 02/09/2014 23:42

Yes that's quite big IMHO but you never know what someone else's body looks like and I am not sure of your proportions.

Personally I am 5'7" and a 36DD - inbetween a 14 and 16, usually a 14 on top and a 16 on bottom. That dress would put a stone on me in an instant and also make me look really frumpy, however if you put a V in the neck and with a great bra I would suddenly lose that stone and become a vixen Wink

And no the shoes do not count as heels :)