New job in office need help to get work clothes ideas on a very tight budget please

[Nickname0]

I'm starting a new job in September in a senior school office - they have no set uniform (they did in my old school tops and trousers so not used to wearing skirts) other than to dress smart. I'm on a very tight budget atm and need ideas on outfits that you can mix and match I'm age 30 and a size 14 (quite busty with biggish hips)

How many outfits should I buy? What colour shoes goes with grey trousers? Im shit at clothes! Please help style and beauty

side note I cannot wear heels

My last job provided the uniform it was navy pin stripe trouser suit with a blue and white blouse and it was OK but felt it was a bit fuddy duddy

Primark do smart trousers for £8 a pair. I wear them for work, they are comfy and surprisingly well made. They are slim fitting 7/8 length. They also do lightweight blouses for £6 and cotton cardigans for about the same. I'd buy 3 of each and make sure they co ordinate so can all be mixed and matched. Sorted for £60!
Shoes either loafers or brogues, as they always look smart.

Thanks bored I'll get to primark at the weekend and have a look ours is tiny so might have to go to into the bigger one in the city centre

You don't have to buy too much all at once - there is nothing wrong, imo, with wearing the same outfit a couple of times a week, even though it means doing laundry more often. Remember get away with wearing almost exactly the same thing over and over!
Follow Bored's advice, and then you can always add in another nice pair of trousers/shirt etc later, once you have began to earn money again. Plus you'll know by then what your colleagues wear.

Just make sure you try it all on instore! I bought two pairs of exactly the same trousers, one pair was much tighter than the other!

Thanks squishy I was worried about rotating outfits and wondering what other people's opinions were on wearing outfits in the same week. Also I wanted to keep work and everyday wear clothes seperate do other people do this? I have a few blazers and tops that I wear but don't want them to be seen as work clothes and then wearing them at the weekend

Bored this happened me at christmas with simplybe I got two pairs of size 14 jeans of the same fit only different colours and only one will actually go up over my thighs!

I find the supermarkets - Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury's - good for wearable, washable work clothes.

I'd get a couple of pairs of trousers, 2 cardigans, a blazer, 3/4 tops, a skirt, a 'trouser' pair of shoes and a 'skirt' pair of shoes and two dresses.

I'd wear black shoes with grey trousers myself.

F&F clothing on the Tesco website also good for work clothes - especially the 50% off section!

I'm in he same position. Same dress size. So watching this thread for ideas.

Nickname I used to keep my work stuff separate but have found I've gravitated to naturally dressing a bit smarter so there's has been some cross over!

I started off with 2 pairs of trousers, 2 cardigans and a blazer. I wore blouses and tops. Primark is good, as are the supermarkets and I quite liked peacocks blouses.

eBay!

Banana Republic, Boden, Gap, Cos at Primark prices.

Go in store, work out what size you are then get bits as you see them on eBay in much nicer fabrics that wash well.

My first year of teaching I was SO poor and did this; now I've got a nice work wardrobe padded out with Primark and New Look.

I used to love matalan trousers when I was working and Next clearance was fab - I used to buy my suits there as had to wear one a couple of times a week. A couple of times I got tops/blouses from matalan too but mostly Primark or the supermarkets.

Maybe you could try local selling sites? I know one of mine always seems to have gorgeous workwear.

If I was buying for work at the moment I'd be getting stuff like:

www.tesco.com/direct/ff-tie-waist-jersey-dress/530-3583.prd?skuId=180-9776

www.tesco.com/direct/ff-double-frill-modal-rich-half-sleeve-top/542-8729.prd

www.tesco.com/direct/ff-tencel-open-front-jacket/590-5864.prd

www.tesco.com/direct/ff-floral-print-flared-skirt/298-0676.prd

www.tesco.com/direct/ff-bird-print-ladder-trim-y-neck-shirt/680-3787.prd

www.tesco.com/direct/ff-signature-pleated-midi-skirt/278-3032.prd

direct.asda.com/george/women/jumpers-cardigans/crew-neck-cardigan-navy/GEM559482,default,pd.html

direct.asda.com/george/women/jumpers-cardigans/crew-neck-jumper/GEM564462,default,pd.html

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Stone-Linen-Cardigan/131200336-Stone

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Red-Embroidered-Top/131238377-Red

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Multicoloured-Floral-Woven-Hem-Top/131899247-MultiColoured

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Cream-Broderie-Tee/131406836-Cream

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Navy-Stripe-Collar-Top/131991916-Navy

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Lime-Skinny-Rib-Jumper/131124206-Lime

I don't know what your colours are etc but these all come in a 14!

George at Asda is really good value and good for work wear. I would buy 5 tops if you are working 5 days, they can start from approx £8.

Charity shops are awesome for work wear. If you are quite small, you can get children's school uniform trousers, skirts etc quite cheaply in Asda, Tesco etc. (I wear my daughter's age 13-14 that she grew out of years ago (now 19) and they are indestructible.)

Sorry - doh! Just saw you have said size 14.

Tons of stuff in charity shops in size 14s!

I second eBay, and if you think you could be comfortable get dresses - a dress is a whole outfit but if you buy trousers you then need a top!

Thank you all for replying! I will be visiting charity shops, having a look on eBay and online and tesco, asda etc.

Syne thank you for your links I have a few items in my basket now

Very grateful to you all

I second charity shops. I get all my work clothes from them. I'm a size 12 and there's loads it size, you'll be the same. Also Primark do wee sleeveless blouses for £4 I wear mine a lot, even in winter with a cardigan