What the hell can I wear to work once the weather is warmer?

[MrsJoshDun]

This is my first time ever with a non uniform job.

For the last few months I’ve worn mainly dresses with opaque tights and ankle boots. I’m a size 16/18 (working on losing weight).

I think I look better in dresses or a top and skirt than trousers. But am not sure what to do about my legs when I can’t wear opaque tights. I don’t want to do bare legs as I get bad thigh rub (even when a size 12). So what else? Skirts
/dresses and nude tights?

Or bite the bullet and find some trousers which look ok.....I don’t like waistbands much. So fashionable elasticated waist trousers would be ok I guess but don’t want to look like I’ve been shopping in the back of the Sunday Times Magazine supplement.

I can be fairly casual btw, certainly not office smart. Some of the guys wear jeans. But I would prefer smart casual rather than casual.

You can get anti chafe shorts for under dresses in summer. Maybe try those?

I've got a couple of trousers similar to these for warmer weather, you can get long length ones as well. Very comfy and can be smart, although I appreciate not to everyone's taste

I do have some anti chafe shorts but most of my dresses are so short I worry about flashing the shorts. Maybe I need longer dresses! . I also worry that my lower legs don’t look good enough to be bare.

Culottes are a good idea, will investigate some styles of those, thanks.

I love culottes and think they can look really elegant! You can get them in a jumpsuit/all in onr style which is good as they you don't have to decide on a top. How about a few maxidresses too, which anti chafe shorts underneath as they are my go to in warm weather when i don't want to show leg. Also try some gradual tanner (st Tropez everyday gradual is lovely) applied every few nights will give you a bit more confidence to get your legs out as a slight tan always looks nice and hides imperfections.

If you're in the UK, just keep wearing the tights in the summer but lose the boots. If you can wear trousers, you can wear tights? It won't be that hot and your office is probably air conditioned?

If not, how about a long stretchy tube skirt and a loose tunic or shirt over the top?

long utility shirts with leggings or leggings
short and maci plain skirt
long dress plain and a lace cardi
wide long trousers and a shirt or a crochet top or a blouse
high waisted maxi skirt and a cropped top
choose non synthetic tactics shower 2 times a day and tie hair up. minimal waterproof make up .. non sticky dog cream, sunglasses, good comfortable shoes or sandals.
If you choose good fabrics for summer thats half the battle.
solid plain neutrals are easy to wear.

or

Next do 'tailored Joggers' with a smart front but elasticated waist. They are the best invention ever! So smart and versatile. Ankle skimmers so perfect for summer!

or

This sort of thing

You can buy anti chaffing cream that works

You could try Skorts - which can look elegant

Go to H&M and try on some different styles of trousers. If you're allowed to wear the slightly cropped one (just above the ankles), those are nice in warmer weather.

OP are you a CMW or office based?

Last summer I ended up mostly wearing some smart tailored shorts with a smart top and sensible flats or if I wore dresses I used talc on the old chub rub or wore DHs under armour shorts underneath depending on length. I loved the tailored shorts though, felt smart enough but still cool.

I think nude tights are fine, as long as they are not too thick and they are the right shade of nude.
Nude tights should IMO be barely visible and just even out the skin a tiny bit.

I always wear nude tights to work in summer and it tops 30deg where I live. Good quality tights are pretty much invisible to the eye but bake your legs look so much better. Personally I don't think bare legs are appropriate in an office environment unless you're blessed with tanned blemish free legs.

Sorry not much help on the outfit front am I!?

It always gets too hot for opaque tights in UK! I'm already too hot in my office, but that's they insist on having the heating on 23!

Wide leg trousers are good, I find them comfier than other waistbands.

Gunty. I’m out of the nhs now. Still do bank work on labour ward but main job nothing to do with nhs!

Ladytesticlee. Thanks for the links, love some of those ideas.

Will also look at H&M, next joggers and nude tights.

How did you get out!?!

Ah I was just wondering as had seen previous posts and wondered whether despite being non-uniform you were still bound by uniform code for footwear/elbow coverage etc

I like these Linen pull on trousers. If it's smart/casual I think they're smart enough?

Those linen trousers are nice. I’m not very tall so I need to be careful with wide leg type trousers like culottes that they don’t make me an odd shape but I think those linen ones would be ok.

What about leggings and tunic tops?
M&S do some nice jersey trousers with an elasticated waist which are smart enough for work.

I simply wear exactly the same dresses or skirts and tops but with nude tights and loafers.

I also don't really like trousers for work, I'm a size 14 but all my weight is on my tummy so trousers just don't work for me, other than jeans.

The trousers are from a website called Yours clothing MrsJD if you're interested!

I always think it's best to go for cooler fabrics in looser styles when it's hot. Nothing worse than tight waistbands and feeling all constricted.

ToriRay can you link to the Next joggers please? I’ve had a search but can’t find any smart style joggers on the website and they sound exactly like I’m looking for to get out of wearing jeans for work. Thanks