Smart work clothes for the old, poor and fat!

[dementedma]

I need smart work clothes. I am 52, size 14/16 with big tummy but good legs and bust. I am skint.
What to wear? I love Hobbs but can't afford it and same goes for the usual suggestions on MN - Reiss, Whistles etc.
Have a couple of nice things from charity shops, but it would be nice to have something new for a change. Don't want fussy or frilly bit happy with bright colours, as well as black or navy. I would love fitted shirts but they won't go over my boobs and tummy!

God when I think of the stuff I gave to charity shops when we emigrated I'd never buy new again, silk lined leather jackets, gap jeans with tags still on. I certainly wish I could buy it all back lol
I honestly try not to buy new these days especially for work

What about looking on eBay but on the Outlet sites. Eg, Boden have a shop on eBay so delivery is usually free and all the clothes are new and the quality should (!!) be consistent.
Or look through the sale / clearance sections of brands you like. Even if you end up buying clothes in the sale now for next spring/ summer.

I buy a lot of Phase Eight in the sales - got several dresses for 20ish quid each back in January. You have to be prepared to buy at the 'wrong' time of year though.

Don't feel it has to be from expensive shops or outlets though - I have got some great things from Primark and H&M and also the supermarket ranges as well and I've also picked up some amazing things at charity shops and TKMaxx got next to nothing.

IMO, it's better to spend money on keeping yourself looking groomed, nice nails and hair, subtle make up and tidy eyebrows etc - as I get older I can't get away with looking even the slightest bit scruffy.. once that's in order you can pull off any clothes a lot better

Size wise I similar to you after being on maternity for a year ! Plus I am 5ft so regular length trousers never fit me.

Is there a large Sainsbury's near you? I went to one this week and didn't know they have a 25% off all clothing (until 22/08). I got
tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Black-Pin-Dot-Tapered-Trousers-/129871552-Black
And
tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Blue-Striped-Jumper/129610993-Blue
The quality now on Sainsburys clothing imho is better than it used to be and now similar to Next/ M&S. It's not quite Hobbs, but on a modest budget this is good value.

M&S Autograph. You get load of moaning on here about M&S and sometimes I join in myself but I think Autograph is very underrated for workwear.

And a friend is in one of those 'Friends of M&S' type schemes and gets sent 25% off everything offers all the time.

Actually it may be 20% off - sorry. But still good cos it's off their current stock, not sales.

Most of my work clothes are from tescos with a few nicer bits from Next and H&M.

Luckily I can get away with floral dresses and flip flops most of the time but whenever I have to get smart, I think a good jacket can make any plain combo look great.

Yes, I rate M&S Autograph too. Some really nice quality stuff.

Thank you all. I like those Sainsbury's trousers.

Uniqlo sometimes have lovely silk shirts that aren't expensive and sometimes other bits. I also have found odd nice bits in H&M, some good white shirts, a couple of good quality dresses but it involved larger London stores and a good trawl.

Supermarkets - carefully chosen pieces from tesco and sainsburies and occasionally asda too but less so these days.

My work clothes mostly come from New Look... usually dresses, or online they have a specific "workwear" section.

I buy loads of my work clothes on ebay - people buy good stuff for interviews/conferences etc and then sell it on in as new condition for a fraction of the price. I'd rather have second hand dresses from Hobbs, Jaeger, LK Bennett than new from M&S most of the time. And even with Next, M&S etc you often find BNWT on ebay so its well worth browsing

I get nearly all my work stuff from H&M. Warehouse and Oasis have great sales and are good for trousers- got my fave work trousers for £12 from Warehouse sale. And ebay for boden tops for work!

Have you got a Boundary Mills near you?
They stock lots of what I would call smart work clothes (although my DP hates the place as its full of 'old people' - he's 58...) He lives TKMaxx.
The clothes can still be expensive at BM but they reduce and reduce and you can get some amazing bargains. I got some £140 Hobbs shoes there recently for £8!
And there is always TKMaxx. You might find my DP there tho! (But he's lovely and not looking for women's work clothes so you won't be fighting over the same item...)

Lives = loves!
Tho DP does live there.....
We even have to go to the ones abroad when we are away

Almost my entire wardrobe is Debenhams in the sales. or not sales when I'm unlucky

Lots of Phase Eight which lasts for years + Betty Jackson at Debenhams.

Put dress on, go to work - no further thought required about outfit

Thanks all.

For bigger boobs try the pepperberry sale.

That sounds like I want to buy bigger boobs!!
But thanks for the tip, haven't heard of them before