What are your must-haves for a professional/office role

[NotAMumbutOnMN]

I will soon be starting a new role, which is a managerial role and office based. My current role has been mainly technical so I could get away with jeans etc. I would really like suggestions of what might be suitable for a late 20s, size 16 person as most of the women around me seem to be either quite older or really thin, so I am not sure what would be suitable. I would really appreciate any suggestions and in particular any helpful tips regarding what staples are needed that I can then work around and which shops would be suitable for buying appropriate clothes. Thanks a lot

Jersey dresses
Blazer
Wedges

Thanks...any suggestions for shops I should look at?

One word: Oasis. They have great work blouses which are so easy to iron. I despise having to iron shirts on a Sunday evening. Suits I just get from Next. I work in a very professional profession - most women wear black/grey/blue skirts or trousers suits and tops and heels. Suit dresses are nice too, again Next have some nice ones.

I gave dresses from People Tree, Me&Em, Phase 8 and Pepperberry.
Wedges all from White Stuff - several pairs,because they fit me really well.
I actually wear cardies rather than Blazers atm because I no longer management. I collect cashmere/cashmere mix ones old and new in sales/ebay/charity shops etc.

Thanks...will look the shops up and have a look. Haven't heard/considered quite a number of them.

My work 'uniform' is pencil skirts with jumpers in winter and silk shirts in summer, with heels. I also have quite a few dresses for when cô-ordinating an outfit is all too much of a morning. I am a bit older than you, but I buy from Whistles (sale only, natural fabrics only - which is getting more difficult as they focus more on horrible polyester), Hobbs (sale/outlet stores - in amongst the frumpy clothes they have some beautiful pieces), Jaeger Outlet (I have had amazing bargains, like beautiful wool pencil skirts reduced from £150 to £17!) but it may be too old for you and Banana Reoublic - especially good for silk tops. I also like Cos, but it is quite variable in terms of fit.

I'm afraid that unlike previous posters, I would avoid Next like the plague. Their fabrics are not great plus so many people shop there, the chance of running into other people wearing the same thing is pretty high.

Wrap and jersey dresses

Smart cardigans

Smart skirts

Shirts

I like Hobbs and Jaeger and both tend to have good online sales. Also some ASOS and la redoute

For workwear I shop at banana Republic, jaeger sales, a bit of Boden, French connection and the odd thing from warehouse/oasis. I hate next. It all looks cheap to me, sorry!

Yes, agree with oly and others re Next. Much better to look in Hobbs, Jaeger, L K Bennett.

Pencil skirts, silk short sleave top plus a well tailored blazer. Getting a bespoke blazer to deal massive boobs has made me look and feel so much more together now. It was a pricey one off but if your weight is stable and you have boobs it could be a good investment.

Any button down situation doesn't work for me and I find smart t shirt plus cardigan looks too casual.

Yes to hobb and banana. Also j crew for pencil skirts. Cos for silk tops too.

Finally a comfortable pair of heels 3inch or lower!

Lots of good dresses on this thread.

Dresses def easier than styling separates when you want to chuck something on in the morning. I have found good work dresses in Reiss, French Connection, Oasis, Zara and actually some fab cheap ones in H&M! Wearing a black slightly scuba esque high neck shift today from there had lots of compliments and it cost 30 quid. Also lots of jackets essential.

I usually do trouser suits with a smart top, short-sleeved in summer.
I got some lovely silk tops from Jigsaw last year.
Blazer over dress or blazer with cropped trousers also OK.
Just a personal preference, but I do not think dresses and cardigans are smart enough.
Second Jaeger as a good source, as well as Austin Reed (sales only) for work staples.

Dresses, every day. M&s ones from eBay. Easy peasy, no messing about having to think about matching stuff, hang up to dry, no ironing, 5 in a week. Job done.

They are shift 'office' suitable ones by the way. Aka 'wiggle' dresses. Whatever that means

clean, tidy, non-smelly (including perfume), non-jangly; doesn't mean no jewellery but don't rattle.

things that fit; no visible knickers (or worse) when you bend, no gaping buttons.

shoes that allow you to walk, not teeter.

probably not a cardigan - most offices are stinking hot anyway so you won't need one. Think layers of smart tops, but I doubt you'll need them.

who cares if someone else is wearing the same BTW? No man would bother.

I am early thirties have recently lost a lot of weight but used to be a size 14-16 and wore (and still wear) dresses with a cardigan or jacket, pencil skirt, blouse and cardigan, cropped trousers blouse and jacket or trouser suits. I shop at Zara, Oasis, H&M (especially blouses from here)and the occasional dress from Next

Dresses from planet, phase eight, fen wright Manson and sometimes m and s. All bought in the sale. Either see through or 100 denier tights and black court shoes from clarks with either Mary jane or bows or some detailing.

Black leather bag.

Job done