Help! Where do you buy your smart office wear?

[TheTurdMilliner]

Hi all,

I’ve recently lost a lot of weight and none of my business suits or skirts fit me. I now work in a relatively casual office so it’s not been a problem but I’ve got some regular meetings coming up which requires smart officewear.

I used to use Next a lot for this, but not overly impressed with them of late. Same with M&S - I can never find anything in there!

Does anyone have any suggestions for where to buy suits and workwear from?

Thanks!

depends on budget? Matalan and H&M do some nice pieces. The collection/ben de lisi/phase 8 at debenhams? Reiss, LK Bennett.

I love Hobbs for workwear. I went to Debenhams to try a couple of styles on and find my size and then bought, admittedly old season, on eBay for around £30.

ebay. I've just bought a lovely pinstriped trouser suit for £1.99. I've also picked up several Karen Millen (love those) suits for around £20 and an Armani one (that is unfortunately now too big).

I have about 5 nice Boden dresses that I wear on rotation with a couple from Whistles. I get complimented a lot. The Boden ones in particular wash really well. There's about 5 more I want and am resisting.

I agree that Debenhams have some nice work wear ranges at a good price

Thanks all, budget is not designer (unfortunately) but I’m willing to pay for decent quality and fit. Just found next got a bit weird last year.

Will check out Debenhams and H&M

I was going to say Hobbs too.

I like Winser London but I only buy on eBay.

Debenhams is the same price point as Next. Wallis may also have things. H&M or Dorothy Perkins usually a bit cheaper (as is Sainsbury's which has surprisingly good stuff). Hobbs and John Lewis are a bit more expensive (1.5 to 2 times the price). Boden is closer to Hobbs than Debenhams.

John Lewis for suits
Hobbs got dresses
Boden for skirts
Oasis for tops
M&s and LK Bennett for smart shoes
John Lewis for tights or Tesco (I'm tall and struggle)

eBay is a good source of all the above brands too at a fraction of the price - I've been successful overall on eBay risk taking

I love Karen Millen and Coast for work but I'm getting more casual and probably heading down the Boden dress line. Better for days spent crawling around under desks!