A new work wardrobe

[fandabbydozier]

I'm in need of a new work wardrobe. Going back after maternity leave shortly 3 stone lighter. Size 12-14, wobbly tummy, 5ft5. Not great with very high heels.
I need ideas! Please help.
I work in a city, business casual dress code. I'm looking for dresses, skirts, tops etc. I've bought some new work trousers already.
I always wear black but feel ready to branch out and add a bit of colour. I have brown hair, brown eyes and am quite pale, slightly yellow/olive skin.
What can you suggest? I'm going shopping on Thursday to restock. Budget is flexible, I really want some good quality items but don't want to spend silly amounts. Over to you, people of mumsnet!

I'm recommending these tops all over the place at the mo

I work in a v casual office and it's ages sincw I've had to put together that kind of wardrobe, but I'd base it around a couple of pairs of slim cigarette trousers in black and navy, a few of the above tops (or something similar - light and easy to wear under a suit jacket if need be), a couple of pencil skirts (I've had good ones from Boden, previously), a couple of long-sleeved silk-type shirts (I like collarless) and a few dresses. I love dresses for work as they're so simple - all you have to coordinate is shoes - but I find it hard to find ones that hit the right a balance of smart/casual.

My working wardrobe is a mixture of Jigsaw, Hobbs, Cos, Uniqlo and even some H&M. Cigarette pants, culottes, wide leg cropped trousers and pencil skirts on the bottom, white shirts and plain tanks on top plus dresses that I wear with less conservative shoes to break things up.

Zara has some nice things and a big sale on. I got a black work dress and a fitted black midi skirt that i'm planning on basing my work wardrobe on. I also bought a pale grey jacket from Miss Selfrige which still has the tags on and i'm undecided about...its a work in progress!

I like those next tops but they are sold out everywhere in black. Im not too keen on the prints. Probably all those recommendations Laquila!

Other work top ideas would be great, shopping day tomorrow.

Thanks all!

I really like [[http://m.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-dresses/day-dresses/wh974/womens-seam-detail-tunic-dress this dress], a staple for me with tights and boots in the winter. Just ordered black and navy.

Sorry, link fail! here

I like that Boden dress but does it cling in the tummy area? It doesn't look very forgiving.

I work in a blue chip but not too formal. I wear a mixture of skirts and trousers but love Pure Collection's jersey wrap tops which they do in a variety of colours which I can wear with both. Check out their sale for some good quality separates at the moment.

Hobbs, Jigsaw and the other shops mentioned above should have some good sales on too at the mo.

I am planning to visit a personal shopper to get my autumn work wardrobe sorted when the time comes. I recently went to an appointment with my mum at debenhams and the service was great. Personal shopper wasn't on commission either so there was no pressure and she was great at putting together lots of outfits from the same clothes iyswim

It's actually quite roomy in the tummy area, a few people said the same on the reviews. Where it's maybe a bit less forgiving is at the back, but i have a big bottom, probably not an issue for most!

I love the idea of a personal shopper but I just don't have the time at the moment.

I've bitten the bullet and ordered the boden dress. I've got free returns so nothing to lose.

Planning to head to Cos, Jigsaw, Uniqlo and H&M tomorrow.

Any suggestion for a good pencil skirt or nice short sleeve blouses?

The personal shshpper appointment was nonly an hour - actually much quicker as she had load a already ready when we got there

I'm in a remarkably similar position other than being very pale skinned.
Where are you going shopping tomorrow? I had a very productive hour at One New Change (St Pauls) yesterday where there is a whole host of work wear shops and, which really helped me, loads of people wearing the sorts of clothes you will be wearing so you get inspired by them (or at least I did). There is Next, Mango, Cos, Hobbs, Reiss, Banana Republic etc.
I then spent all if last night & all of tonight online ordering other bits to go with/around the things I bought yesterday.

Hi peas, shopping in Kingston so most of those shops are there too.
I work at St Pauls so I'm not keen to do my commute before I go back! Does mean I can have a mooch around in my lunch hour next week when back at work though.

Reis and jigsaw are my go to's for work.

Hobbs and LK Bennett also worth a look but I like them less now than I did ten years ago.

Workwear ideas here and here x

If you see this before you go out.

Don't discount Ebay especially outlet stores of Hobbs etc for workwear even used stuff.

Also Massimo Dutti I find better quality than Zara - Zara's hems on workwear skirts etc I also found really badly stitched and came undone easily.

Thanks super, I'm on my way now. Hoping to try lots on and maybe wait for sales for more expensive items. Will check out eBay too for outlets.

Thanks everyone, first morning without kids in a year, enjoying the peace so far!

go to charity shops!

OP - also Ebay brilliant for not only outlets but also sellers who sell workwear generally - I've bought and sold various suits - Reiss, Phase Eight, Fenn Wright & Manson, Hobbs etc and everything I've sold or bought has been excellent condition and great value.

Thanks everyone for your help. I've had a successful day making the most of the sales. I bought a navy pencil skirt from Hobbs, navy jumper from Reiss, grey top from Benetton and a black jacket and two tops from Oasis. All in the sales. No real colour (working up to that) but at least not all black.

Glad you got some nice bits OP.

Benetton are surprisingly good (not that I know that many shops of theirs around any more!) for basics and in nice fabrics, and they tend to last and wash well.

Oasis are also great for tops that look nice with other bits... eg work.