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Original poster

Cheap smart work clothes

27 replies

BoyFromTheBigBadCity · 25/02/2017 00:20

I need to get some smart work clothes from cheap ish shops. I don't wear trousers, but any other suggestions?

I haven't worked anywhere with a dress code for a long time, and have put on a dress size so most of what I have doesn't fit now.

OP posts:
Patsy99 · 25/02/2017 00:23

Next & Zara if you pick carefully, avoid the cheap looking fabrics. Both are good for dresses & jackets.

dontbesillyhenry · 25/02/2017 00:28

I wouldn't say 40 pounds a blouse at next is particularly cheap

Patsy99 · 25/02/2017 00:29

Nope - but some of their dresses come in at less than that.

INeedNewShoes · 25/02/2017 00:39

La Redoute. It's hit and miss but very good value when you find the good bits. Make sure you Google for a discount code.

The way I shop with them is to order loads and send the majority back but keep anything I like that's good enough quality. Returns are free and straightforward.

BlueberryMarshmallow · 25/02/2017 00:44

Have you tried the supermarkets? I dress smart for work and have a range of clothes from places like next and Debenhams but find the Asda ones tends to be the cheapest and last longer than all others. It can be very hit and miss what they have in though. If you sign up to the new look newsletter they send you 20% off codes every couple of weeks which comes in handy for blouses and tights :)

ceeveebee · 25/02/2017 00:44

TBH a lot of Sainsbury's and Tesco stuff is not bad!?

Mumsnit · 25/02/2017 07:59

TK Maxx? I bought some bargainous Jaeger shirts there last week for work Smile

Matalan also worth a look as they have quite a big work wear range and some of it isn't bad at all!

emsyj37 · 25/02/2017 08:06

M and S for smart shift dresses -- shoes often ok too
Sainsburys is nice for the price esp when it's 25% off week
TKMaxx for occasional gems
Jaeger outlet for coats, bags and everything really
Blazers in H and M are often nice, and their blouses

emsyj37 · 25/02/2017 08:07

Oh and Shoeaholics for cut price branded shoes. Hobbs outlet often have lovely shoes too.

tattychicken · 25/02/2017 08:32

Yes, Sainsbury's. Have several of their dresses and they wear pretty well, and are good value, partic if you can get them with the 25% off. You can buy online and collect in store too, so like a PP, I tend to buy a load and then take back about half.

PhyllisWig · 25/02/2017 08:51

H&M. Good shirts and tops. Their jersey blazers are good as someone else has said.

They have a few shift dresses and skirts too which might work.

Original poster
BoyFromTheBigBadCity · 25/02/2017 11:32

Fab. Thanks everyone!

OP posts:
Brillenbar · 25/02/2017 12:52

Uniqlo is really excellent for smart neutral basics

ChishandFips33 · 25/02/2017 14:34

I'm liking this skirt from Tesco for £14 - could put a variety of different coloured simple tops/t shirts or jumpers with it (they have some nice coloured lightweight/soft jumpers too!)

Cheap smart work clothes
IamRonnieBiggs · 25/02/2017 14:36

I got a black jacket in Asda for £14 this week

dailystuck71 · 25/02/2017 14:37

I've picked up good quality bits on eBay for work.

BatBelle · 25/02/2017 14:38

I get quite a few of my work tops from Primark- they are usually no more than £10

knowler · 25/02/2017 14:39

I'd echo suggestions for the supermarkets - go for anything on the classic side and in decent looking fabrics. I think that black sometimes looks cheaper than grey or navy as it can go a bit shiny. La redoute is definitely a possibility but always buy with a voucher or during flash sale and size up too.

megletthesecond · 25/02/2017 14:44

Primark. I try to only wash it on a gentle wash and it's fine.

findingmyfeet12 · 25/02/2017 14:45

I'd recommend eBay. For the same price that you'd spend in New Look or H&M you can pick up Jaeger, Hobbs, Whistles, etc.

knowler · 25/02/2017 16:09

feet is right - a lot of the brands have eBay shops. I got a great lk Bennett dress for C.£20.

Original poster
BoyFromTheBigBadCity · 25/02/2017 17:56

I've never really done eBay - is it quite easy to be a buyer?

OP posts:
RemusLupinsChristmasMovie · 25/02/2017 18:04

How smart do you need to be?

These jersey skirts at M&S are v cheap and wash well. If you're tall, they'd probably be too short though. They come in quite a few prints/colours.

These are smarter than a normal t-shirt and drape nicely. Maybe with a jacket over, if you need to be office smart, or a cardigan if you can be more relaxed.

I saw somebody wearing this today and she looked really nice. It looks a bit like a rag on the hanger though, and I haven't tried it on personally.

XiCi · 25/02/2017 18:34

I've also found some really nice work dresses at la redoute. It's 30% off as well at the moment. Asos do some plain black shifts and skater dresses for around £20 that are fine for work as well

MeadowHay · 25/02/2017 18:41

H&M and New Look sometimes, quality variable and recommend always trying on because some of their stuff seems ok at first glance and then awful when you put it on.
Zara although that's not cheap.
TK Maxx, it depends what they have in when you go though.
House of Fraser's outlet, same as TK Maxx.
M&S.
Dorothy Perkins.