I need a new work wardrobe - teacher

[Dragonlette]

Help me please.

I really need to get some new work clothes as some of mine are really, truly awful. I HATE shopping with a passion because nothing looks good on me, so I just don't do it. As a result the tops I wear for school are about 10 years old and are looking very old, faded and work out.

I usually wear black/dark trousers and a top. I am now down to 5 tops that are suitable for work, so wear them on a sort of weekly rotation.

I am fairly tall (5'9") and lots of tops ride up when I write on the board, showing my midriff, which I don't want. It can't be low cut, I need to be able to lean over a desk without flashing my cleavage at the teenagers. My classroom is INCREDIBLY HOT, so no jumpers/knitwear, short sleeves are best. I'm a size 18, apple shape, mid-30s. I'm willing to consider any style that people think might be suitable, but don't want to spend tons of money because I'm in the process of attempting to lose weight (I've lost 1st so far but obviously have 3 or 4 st more to lose)

So, please help me find something suitable, I know you lot will have a lot more ideas than I do.

Nice choices dragon, they looks like just my sort of thing! We're the dresses Mantaray ones too from debenhams?

I am surprised because as an apple that empire/ under bust line looks awful on me- like I am pregnant.
But perhaps you have narrower ribs? Were the dresses empire line too?

I am a teacher and also apple shaped. I am a bit shorter than you at 5 foot 7 but I wear this a lot and always get complemented.

Dress

My work wardrobe is nearly all dresses- it saves time in the mornings to only have one item to put on. Boden is fab- their sale dresses are cheap, flattering and smart. Marks and Spencers good too,their wrap dresses add a waist to my apple shape.

To avoid flashing cleavage, I wear a black crop top under plungier neck lines.

Yes the dresses were Mantaray ones from Debenhams.

I've tried on other empire line tops that have made me look pregnant Tanaqui, but these ones just seem to sit right and looked pretty good (as good as I'm likely to get at prices I can afford anyway)