Back to work after several years, new work clothes needed

[NewJob2018]

I’ve landed myself a great job after several years break.

I’m going through the paperwork and the dress code apparently has recently been changed to “casual but professional”.

I’m assuming no jeans.

I wore a patterned wrap dress and heels to the interview.

The work is office based with occasional meetings with clients. I’ll spend most of my time at meetings, chasing colleagues for updates and at my computer compiling reports.

I’m a 5’3” apple with large norks. 18 Top, 14/16 Bottoms. New company has an on site employee gym so I’m planning on changing my shape.

I dislike ironing.

I can wear a medium heel or flats.

I like dresses for convenience. I think leggings plus tunic might be a bit too casual. Skirt/trousers plus tops ok I think. High necks are a complete no on me.

Don’t want to spend a fortune.

Any help organising my new wardrobe is hugely appreciated!

Naked it is then

Good dresses are the way forward, you only need to think about one thing and not trying to get things that go together. Wrap dresses sound like a great plan. Can throw on a blazer if you need to look smarter, cardigan if cold. My workwear is pretty much all Boden dresses, with a couple of whistles thrown in

check out gap and banana republic. They have decent sales.

I'm a different shape but I'm wearing cigarette pants, square or crew neck plain jumpers, with brogues and a big necklace. Cigarette pants can be smartened up with a blazer and smarter top if needed. Wrap dresses also sound good to me.

Uniqlo!

COS and UNIQLO are good but do cater more for columns than hourglasses so you need to use the search function well. And UNIQLO is pretty small, as a size 10 I wear medium, COS has more generous sizing and favours baggy clothes generally. Baukjen is good for dresses but not so sure for shorties. Boden does have the advantage of a wide range of sizes and a petite range but once you discount the bright patterns it's often a choice between black and navy.

I mostly wear dresses to work - I buy in the sales from Hobbs, Boden and Landsend. Basic black, navy and dark red and a few more muted patterns. Plain dress with a cardigan in the office or a blazer for meetings works well.

M&S also have some jersey skirts which are nice with a blouse or even a nice blouse and jumper.

Bravissimo and Dorothy Perkins have nice flattering bodycon dresses if that suits your style. Some are wrap or wrap effect and flattering on bigger busts.

These are all Boden. Maybe get a couple of basic colours to start with and then add to your wardrobe. If you can, order lots to try on and then use free returns.

Thanks all, I’ve got loads to check out now.