What do you wear to work? (Office)

[blinkowl]

I'm starting a new job in an office next month where they all seem to wear suits or very smart / well put together outfits for every day wear.

I'm usually a jeans-and-top / dress-and-leggings person, this is alien to me- help!

I'm going shopping next week. What should I look for that doesn't break the bank - and suits someone on the larger side?

hollinhurst84 thanks for that, I'm having a look now.

OK, do these work together for an office or does it look like I'm off out for the evening?

Swap the leggings for trousers and some smarter shoes and you might get away with it?

I've bought some jersey blazers from M&S which I find smarter than a cardigan but not as formal as a suit, and I wear them with wide-legged trousers or a dress.

I also bought a lovely black and cream printed jersey jacket from Tesco the other day, and a coral sleeveless top with a frill down the front...really nice together.

How do I do links please?

www.clothingattesco.com/womens-coats+jackets/f+f-aztec-jacquard-jacket/invt/jf613504

"Swap the leggings for trousers and some smarter shoes and you might get away with it?"

Is that a polite way of saying no, not really?

Acornantics ooh I like that.

I am going to say something a bit different. Yes get some clothes for the week BUT rather than just going 'SUITS ARGHHHHHH' leave it for a month, if you can. Every office has an unwritten dress code or level of buying. Really without knowing the level it is hard to say what is the best buy. You might find that is is a bit different to your first impression. I am dirty blonde and Navy 3 button suit is the most flattering for me. I think navy works the best on most colourings and a 3 button jacket for a suit is the kindest!! House of frasier has clearance so you might be able to pick up something there Happy shopping!

tanukiton good advice thanks! And I'll check out House of Fraser.

And I'm glad you know what I mean about 3 button.

I do need something to get through the first few weeks though or I'll be going in in jeans! The impression I've had for my limited contact with them is they're really smart. There's a fair bit of client-facing stuff and in general it's in an industry that like to be seen to be respectable rather than fashionable IYSWIM.

I have that Monsoon blue stripey dress and get compliments every time I wear it. It could work in a formal environment if you had heeled court shoes and a proper hairdo. I've never found a jacket or cardigan that works with it, though, probably because of the cowl neck, except for a cropped denim jacket,( which is not smart enough for work).
When I was lawyering, I did wear jersey dresses, which was OK for high street firms but not corporate.
I've seen " ponte" dresses, which are a sort of thick jersey ( so comfortable) but more formal and tailored. I think Boden does them, but you can get them in lots of places, like m& s. Black or navy plus different scarves/ jewellery would get you through the first few weeks.

Make sure it's confy! I was very skinny pre baby, and baby, the sands of time have shifted!

I'm now not very comfortable with tight clothes around the waist and sitting with a snug waistband is horrible.

I find nice thick Jersey dresses work well and night some from Phase 8 that fall nicely from boob to waist and cover a multitude of sins.

DelphiniumBlue, it's a lovely dress isn't it :)

I'm not sure if it is smart enough though - I don't have a "proper hair do" (maybe I need one!) I'll wait and see with that one ...

Reckon I need to hold out for a 3 buttoned suit, there must be one somewhere! And as you say, scarves and jewelry for the first few weeks.

I'll google Pointe dresses, never heard of them before ...

originalmavis I hadn't thought of Phase 8.

Aren't they aimed at slightly older woman? That could work as I plainly have a body shape nearer older woman than the youngster-slim-people that the high st seems to design for!

I'll give them a go.

Got some eBay parcels today. Won a lovely Monsoon summer dress but depressingly it's WAY too small! But also got a top that might do for work, that's the same size and plenty of room so hopefully the Monsoon one is just sized small.

Try Planet clothes - cut for generous sizes, and lots of workwear.

Some examples on ebay:

here

dress here

dress

dress

Bought this recently, for work with fitted navy or cream tshirt, tucked in, and I absolutely love it. I'm 6ft so the midi skirt with a ballet pump or slight wedge heel works well for me.

Looks terrible on the website though, I wouldn't have ordered it from that pic!

www.marksandspencer.com/striped-skater-skirt/p/p22452775?extid=TP_F_CT_B_260911_290_CreoGe

Not sure about age - I bought a stack of phase 8 dresses when I was late 30s and they weren't grannyish. I suppose it's the shoes and accessories that 'make' the outfit.

Delphinium
What do you mean by a proper hairdo?

Structure always
Tailored cropped trousers
I Never buy Jersey nor cardigans. They don't look work ready and they accentuate any wobble on me
Knitwear but structured and not tight
Silk t shirts are nice but I find difficult to find
I prefer boots to shoes as I do watch how people walk in court shoes and I think the majority struggle. It often looks slightly awkward/painful
Loafers
I keep it simple and always go for thicker fabrics
Cos, other stories and occassionally banana republic for trousers

Sorry, late back to the thread!
Mamamia, by proper hairdo, I mean decent cut, in a style, or maybe a neat updo, as opposed to au natural loose and messy. Groomed is what I should have said.