Can anyone help me with work wear please?

[Swirlingasong]

I've spent the past 12 years either crawling around on the floor after dc or doing a job where jeans and a nice top were perfectly acceptable. However, I have just got a new job where I will have to be in an actual office 2 or 3 days a week. It's not super-smart corporate suit territory, but it's not jeans either. What on earth do I wear? Can anyone help please?

I'm thinking of getting maybe a couple of dresses, but I really like having pockets and can't find anything. I'm slim, size 10/12, 5' 8"ish, late 30s and don't have a huge budget, maybe up to £30 for a dress? Thank you!

Dresses are easiest and cheapest as they're a while outfit. Try h&m, Dorothy Perkins and Next to start with.

H&m also have a range of nice skinny trousers in lots of colours which look nice with fine knit jumpers, blouses and tops.

Pinterest is good for outfit ideas, just type in office outfits.

Good luck in your new job.

Matalan do a great range of coordinated stuff - long and shorter skirts, trousers, jackets - but I agree dresses are by far the easiest for work. None of that 'oh but I can't wear those trousers today, the tops I have clean/ironed don't go with it' (or does that only happen to me?).

I've had some great ones from Asda and Matalan - £12-£20 each, knee length. Ideally you want versatile ones that can go with flats, heels, boots, tan or opaque tights, jacket or cardigan so you don't have to keep going out and replacing them by season.

Thank you both, I will check them out.

I have a capsule wardrobe. Try searching this in Pinterest. It takes the stress out of the whole morning routine with kids.
And yes, dresses are the easiest option really.

I second H&M. They have lots of great trousers for under £20 which easily match with tops and jumpers. Their dresses are also great.

Ones like this also don’t tend to need ironing and wash well:

m2.hm.com/m/en_gb/productpage.0612064007.html

I have just bought some great work dresses from H&M. Long sleeves with ties at the cuff and come to just above the knee - and they have pockets! Only £17.99 and they have about half a dozen different ones - some plain, some patterned.
They have an offer on just now that you get 25% off if you download the app and order from there.

Some more that would look good with black tights:

m2.hm.com/m/en_gb/productpage.0618287002.html

m2.hm.com/m/en_gb/productpage.0634379001.html

m2.hm.com/m/en_gb/productpage.0575839012.html

I've recently kitted DD out for an office job , all from H&M . Couple of skirts, pair of trousers , cotton shirts and 2 jackets. The {{http://m2.hm.com/m/en_gb/productpage.0349867002.html jackets}} are really nice and wash well.

Forgotten how to do links .

The last one LadyPenelope linked to is the one I've got. Looks great with opaque tights, low shoes and a statement necklace.

Uniqlo is brilliant for this scenario. I have bought loads of trousers from there as they offer a free alteration service for shorties like me.

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/women/featured/back-to-work