Where to shop for new work clothes on the cheap?

[longestlurkerever]

I'm going back to the office after mat leave soon. I've just cleared out all my maternity stuff and stuff that's got too scruffy and realised there's nothing left! I'm in a professional job. People tend to dress smartly but not in suits, though I'll need one for occasional use. Where should I go to refresh my work wardrobe without breaking the post-mat-leave bank? I'm a size 12 and tall. Thanks!

Well... I mostly buy expensive work clothes (and cheap weekend clothes!) but I think Mango do great work trousers. I also think silky t-shirts look nice with a non-matching (maybe tweedy/Chanel looking) jacket - both often found in Zara. Or a fitted cardigan? Try to get some slightly more expensive shoes if you can. Good luck!

H&M can be good if you look carefully. Tu (Sainsburys) are worth a look if you're on a really tight budget. Charity shops worth a look for tailored jackets.

La Redoute is good,once you buy one thing they send codes for 50% off the next.

Everything5pounds.com

Exactly as the website says, everything is £5. Got it from a thread here and clothes are all from high street stores, but mostly unlabelled and last season. I bought 8 items for £48 inc postage.

You can return (pay your own postage) if you don't like something.

I found some trousers that were nice in H&M this weekend, picking through carefully. I have a mix of Hobbs, Jigsaw, Cos, some Uniqlo and M&S for work. Banana Republic can be good too.

I got a load of work tops (plain blouse/shell type ones) from Zalando just after Christmas after struggling to find inexpensive tops without godawful patterns on them. Their Zalando Basics range is nice and they do lots of high street brands too. There are usually some pretty good codes for money off as well, I think I got £15 off and free delivery on a £75 spend.

Oh thanks everyone. Some great ideas to check out that I would never have thought of.

i really like tesco f&f range very modern and bang on trend nothing too dear

I've gone a bit mad on that everything 5 pound site (even happier that I don't even have to leave the house to do so!) so thanks for that recommendation. I'll update as to quality etc when it arrives.

Primark

I second the Sainsbury's recommendation. Surprisingly nice ...

However, don't make false economies ... Buy cheap, buy twice etc. Fewer, more expensive items will be better in the long run.

Hobbs, Warehouse , H and M and charity shops.

I get a lot from Sainsburys.

i tend to get half-decent quality trousers and skirts in M&S, GAP, White co, and banana republic, and then supplement with cheapo tops from sainsburys, H&M and primark. Knitwear from uniqlo.

I discovered the £5 site too. Thanks KP. I don't need any more clothes, but I got dazzled by the five poundness of it all.

Will check out Sainsburys too. Love their kids' clothes and they regularly have 25 percent off everything. But my 5 quid hoard has been dispatched so looking forward to its arrival! Randomly got Dd1 a science kit too.

Depending on how old you are RomanOriginals is a good site for work wear.

Thanks. I'm 35. Is that too old or too young?

Have a look.
It's probably about right for some stuff on there.

Thanks. Turns out they have a shop down the road. May go for a mooch one day

Woah someone take my card off me! That £5 site is great! I was restrained and spent £18 but so many good bargains!!

I'm the opposite though, I'd rather spend less on work clothes and more on stuff I can wear out or shoes/ bags.

The trouble is anything more than a fiver for an item of clothing now feels like an unjustifiable extravagance! Especially for work where my main criterion is "does it fit?"

Ebay (filter on new with tags)