Winter work wear

[beavington]

Stuck in a rut wearing the same old garb at work. I blend in with the walls and dont dress my age at all (mid 20s). I was going to invest in some nice cropped trousers from mango in the summer but i dont have any nice blouses or baggy tops to go with so wanted to save money a little. In the end i didnt save and it got to july and i wrote the summer off (mistake!) so thought i should wait til winter to reinvent myself.

All this time ive been thinking up nice dresses to wear with tights and boots that i already have (mid calf biker type boots i guess you could call them - v practical )

Now i feel very conscious of suddenly turning up in dresses but desperately want to be rid of my wide leg trousers and plain tee shirt combo.

What do other people wear?

If anyone can suggest things for me id be very grateful. My out of work garb is pretty much skinny jeans and jumper or t shirt (one overhaul at a time!). I like a ditsy print but im still not very daring. Im quite a casual neutral person but i want a more stylish version of this and not the scruffy look i have now. Im a cold fish who works in a cold office so long sleeves preferred. Nothing too formal or ott.

Unfortunately my budget is pretty miniscule but i only wear 3 days a week so if an item is versatile i may be willing to pay more.

Please fix me

something like this? asos
could be dressed up a bit with a blazer/scarf when you feel a bit more daring.
would look good with opaques and ankle boots

i also wear a long skater type version of the same thing, like this but not as fancy asos ted baker

Buy three winter dresses. Dark colours like black, dark grey, dark green, navy, maroon etc.

Winter blazer or fitted cardigans

Tights

You can add long sleeve top under dresses if no sleeves, and wear without tights into spring/ summer depending on how thick they are

OP, I could have written th exact same thing. I work as a data analyst in a family provider setting. I am also the main contact for my role so I feel I should he presenting myself better, not only to boosty confidence but to ensure I look professional too.

I really don't ever wear colour. Black, white, grey, navy. I might rarely wear some black trousers and a light blue vest top with cardigan. I feel quite frumpy when I am only 24!

Just wanted to let you know that you're not the only one confused and wanting to reinvent yourself for the winter.

Thanks for the replies.

peasandlove that first dress is too clingy for me. It would look nice on others but i wouldnt be comfortable. Im fine with skinny jeans but not bodycon dresses / skirts / tight tops!

artandco im struggling to find dresses that are 'right'. Something that ill feel right in. Ill link in next post (tablet deletes post when i flick between tabs) a dress ive been thinking about but not sure if its a but frumpy!!

Its hard to get out of a rut isnt it pixa my puchases are so few and far between and my entire wardrobe is so dull that when i do buy something it tends to be very basic and boring because it needs to match what i already have, plus i would feel silly in something i dont normally wear because i am so stuck in this habit. Even scarves seem ott on me but they dont on anyone else.

How do people wear boots with slimfit trousers in winter? I cant imagine its a good look but i have heard it mentioned on S&B before.

Is this frumpy? shop.mango.com/GB/p0/women/clothing/dresses/belt-printed-dress/?id=33023526_N1&n=1&s=prendas.vestidosprendas&ident=0__0_1412938745804&ts=1412938745804 i like it but its a bit expensive so looking for similar styles. Ive not tried it on - do people reckon it would be frumpy on a 5'4" with tights?

shop.mango.com/GB/p0/women/clothing/dresses/daytime/printed-flowy-dress/?id=33080172_4G&n=1&s=prendas.cardigans&ident=0__0_1412940195833&ts=1412940195833

shop.mango.com/GB/p0/women/clothing/dresses/daytime/elastic-waist-dress/?id=33060174_5W&n=1&s=prendas.cardigans&ident=0__0_1412940195833&ts=1412940195833

Do you reckon i could wear black tights with that? The other coloured dress is tooooo bright for me!

Never bought anything from mango but im liking what theyve got at the moment!

Those dresses look too thin for winter. I would freeze in something like that!

Can you find a thicher jersey or ponte dress in a plain neutral colour that suits you and gradually start to dress it up over time by adding coloured scarves, belts, bag etc?
I can't post links from my phone but will try to later on the computer.
What size and shape are you?

This would be fab with black tights and boots.

I'd say you need thicker, that is a very light dress. Ponte is good, or what about knitted/sweater dresses? Worn with tights and boots or even leggings when it's ffffreeeezing.

this sort of thing maybe?
Look up knitwear dresses you may find something.
I've recently changed my look at work as I was getting fed up.
But I'm much older so I've gone a bit more mature.
these dresses are very flattering.
I have different version and wear them with shrug/bolero type things to get the arm length I want.
I wear with knee high boots or heels.

I guess youre right! I was thinking of wearing a black base layer top underneath but that plus black tights would probably look a bit silly and detract from the niceness of the dress. Plus its just giving me more tings to buy. Im a size 10 but happily wear a 12 on top because i like a bit of bagginess. 5'4" or 5"4' i forget which

Tethersend thats nice but far too pink for me!

Hellsbells i love that first link and will definitely be buying it! The second link is too elegant for me!

I know im a pita! Want to look smarter but in a casual way

ANother similar to hells links
thicker jumper dress to wear with heavy tights/leggings and boots
still quite light but not as much as the first ones
this is quite a heavy jersey and the pattern is subtle in the grey version

If you wear skinnies out of work how about some slim leg trews (oasis/warehouse/gap) with heels, silky top and a blazer.

Have a look at massimo dutti, banana republic and cos for ideas.

stats i love 3 of those dresses thank you the second one is too clingy for me ah youre all making this look so easy its great!

bill i fancied the slim leg trousers in the summer but not sure about it as a winter option. I have really cluncky mid calf biker boots. Dont do heels whatsoever so would be a waste of money. At most i would buy some ankle boots but this would be a big push budget wise. If you have any ideas how one can pull off slim leg trousers and boots id be mega interested

I thought it might be!

you say you prefer to wear a 12 on top but you are a 10.. Do you have bits to hide, so to speak, or is it just a comfort/confidence factor?

this would look great with thick opaques and ankle boots
not sure about the wrap feature but it might disguise tummys or something. It's a lovely thick fabric
asos skater

by the way i liked both those printed dressess from mango, but agree they would be too thin for winter. Why dont you go in an try them on and see how you feel in them and the cut though, see how they fit you?

I have this from H&M and I love it. It's good with opaques and ankle boots or brogues/flats. It looks fairly flimsy, but it's well lined so even though I'm always freezing, I was fine on a very cold day recently. There is a lot in H&M at the moment if you wanted to try out a few different looks. I love this one but it flares too much over my hips.

stats

peas no if i try to look at myself objectively then figure wise im not too bad when im covered up (undressed is another story!!). Its a combo of comfort and confidence. I dont feel myself in clingy / formal clothes. That dress has a lovely cut and i would admire it on someone else but i would feel absolutely ridiculous in it myself. Unfortunately money dictates that my overhaul must only include safe bets i live quite rural so am having to rely on online shopping only.

I love that first one fruits! Just had a little search on h and m and i really like this print but is it me or is it a really crap cut. Do you reckon it would look alright on? Would look sooooo nice if it had a normal straight hem! tablet.hm.com/gb/product/42171?article=42171-A&cm_vc=PRA1

well the good thing with asos etc is free returns. Why dont you get a couple of things that arent your usual comfort zone and try them with an honest friend (not one who will be too scared to hurt your feelings by saying something might not be great) or post a pic here, mumsnetters are very honest

that h&m dress is cute. Again with thick opaques. I dont like how they've styled it with the knee boots, only a model could pull that off

I think i will you know you lot have been more helpful than RL friend! I usually end up agreeing that i like something that is so not me because i feel awkward saying no for the fiftieth time!

Theres thigh boots all over the h and m site its very distracting! I think my colleagues would positively shit themselves if i marched through the office in a pair

Ill update you guys with my purchases (only because ill probably be feeling wobbly!)

If anyone has any ideas re trousers im all ears

Some great links on this thread.

Good luck op and do update

I think you should look at a pair of ankle boots btw, as they go with the sort of dresses you're looking at, and would work with slim trousers as well. Biker boots are not going to be as versatile, especially with work clothes.