what should I wear to work in an office?

[Newbiecrafter]

Hello

Not sure the title is right but I am starting a part time job next week that will possibly become more full time after the initial part time bit.

I haven't worked in over 8 years. I have had 2 dc since and my body is much bigger than it was and I have lived in jeans and jumpers pretty much the whole time.

I used tow ear suits and still like the idea of that as its a uniform that needs no thinking about.

I'm also conscious of my huge boobs, 32gg and my hips/bottom, so like to cover up. Offices with a/c cause embarrassing nipple issues so again a suit seems to hide that.

I am stuck as to where to buy one though. none of my old ones fit. :(

I tried on a jacket in M&S. Needed a 16 but the sleeves in M&S are always too short for me even though I don't have very long arms . Also the bust are of the jacket was all wrong, so possibly the 16 was too big but the 14 was too tight esp on the arms.

I also tried on a suit in next. needed an 18 in the jacket. Quite liked the jacket but it cut me across my widest part of my hips and didn't look that great. the matching trousers were fine. I was hoping to go for a Tall jacket in next but they are all sold out.

This is only a short term work placement so don't want to spend loads but also want to feel good, or as good as I can considering I am so much bigger than before. I want to feel confident and professional, but the options I've discovered so far are not making me feel like that.

Any ideas or suggestions for what/where else I could try?

many thanks in advance,
xxx

Personally, I'd go for dresses with either a jacket or cardigan. Unless it's an exceptionally smart (think city finance and law) workplace a good dress can look very smart.

Would the fit of this work?

If not, how about something like this or this from Phase Eight? I find wrap dresses flattering to a larger bust, they often drape well over the bum / tummy area and the jersey is usually thick enough to deal with air con issues!

I wear a lot of dresses to work, usually with heels or boots and a cardigan if needed. Alternatively smart, tailored trousers (spend as much as you can afford) with cardigans rather than a jacket.

Can you get molded bras to cope with the nipple issues? I wear them for that reason.

I wear a suit for interviews but other than that I wear trousers/skirt, top and cardigan; dress and cardigan on top/shirt under. Suit jackets just don't work with me. Scarves are good for the office for the draft of the a/c (and will cover cold boobs)

Thank you all for your help.

Overtired, those dresses are really lovely. I just don't like my legs as I have quite prominent veins and could wear tights but would find that a bit faffy. I am much less conscious in trousers.

I like the idea of cardi's and tops, but often find cardi's too short and they cut across me in the wrong place. but if they are too long, they make me look bigger and scruffy.

I am very lumpy and bumpy and un toned, so hide inside the structure of a suit. I always have, so maybe I've just not looked at the right sort of top/cardi combo's.

I'm not very good at clothes or shopping for myself as I never like what I look like, so tend to stick with boring stuff. I'm also unable to relax or be comfortable unless I feel 'okay' if that makes sense.

for the work I do need smart rather than smart casual.

thanks again for your help.

I work in an office and no-one ever wears a suit. If that's definitely the dress code then fair enough but if you're not sure then I'd hang on before splashing out on one. What about those trousers with a less structured, jersey jacket (not matching)? That would still look smart and it might fit in better.

can you give us some idea of the work environment? How tall are you? What about a longer line blazer like this? What about a sort or stuctured boucle jacket? Or a dress cut for boobs/curves like this

Keep thinking about the cardi/top combos. Could anyone link to some so I can get an idea of what they might look like please?

Hettie, it'll be in the city, and the lady who interviewed me was wearing a suit and so were a few of the other ladies I saw.

I'm 5'6 size 16-18 and very lumpy bumpy curvy.

I have big boobs and big thighs and very varicose veined legs, so feel oodles more confident if I'm covered up and look professional,

Thanks again for your help everyone.

The sleeves in the M&S jackets might be purposely short. Bracelet length rather than full length sleeves seems to be a summer thing. Either that or I have Mr Tickle arms.
I hope the job goes well. I advise getting minimal clothes to get you through the first week and do your shopping after you have seen what everyone else wears.

I'd personally buy jackets and skirts/trousers but not necessarily a suit. Try different colours which you can mix and match. Mango had a great boyfriend blazer in a really dark green a few weeks ago. Really structured and lovely.

If you need a suit, you need a suit!

This jacket is a great shape and a bargain. Would go with straight or wide-legged trousers.

Tesco have a good selection- and have a look at Matalan

This jacket with these trousers would work well.

Can you get to a TKMaxx?

I'd wear a suit if I was interviewing someone, but not the rest of the time.

I'd probably one of the least smart in the office, but end up wearing trousers from Next/ M&S / DP, and tops like phase 8 or marks I also have some fine knitted things (M&S again) for cooler days. Many of my colleagues would team those with a scarf or necklace or jacket.

Congrats on the new job

thanks everyone.

I'm going to try and get to some of the recommended shops today. I managed to find a next jacket in their tall selection which I can collect today so hoping the length of that works for my hips. Also ordered some trousers in bootcut style as I prefer that shape on me. so might have found something that works.

The M&S sleeve length has always been a problem for me. Their sleeves always stop on the point of my wrist where I would have a watch on. very weird as I'm not overly tall or long limbed.

I'm also going to look at the cardigan/top options, but like the idea of waiting to see what exactly people wear when I'm there.

Thanks so much for the links. I wouldn't have thought of Tesco or Matalan. I might order the jacket from house of fraser but worried that the length might be too short. looks lovely though and a lovely cut to it.

Thanks again SO much for your help. Still not confident but feel slightly less clueless about where to try. xxx

A tee shirt bra would solve the nipple issue.

Might it also be with having a look at Ebay?

I'm a similar shape to you, and I've had some lovely Farhi trousers for a uni placement that there's no way I could afford new, as well as 2 Pepperberry tops that are cut for big boobs.

They do lovely suits too.

Structured jackets from Zara are good and lookout pulled together than cardigans in me. I manage to look scuffy if I don't wear a jacket. I don't wear blazers but those boucle jackets that Zara do so well.

Workwear tutorial on here

This is the 3rd time I've posted this link this morning - people are going to be thinking I work for Reiss - I don't!

REISS is quite expensive but looks can be created with less expensive clothes obviously..