Trying to step away from black trousers and plain top for work - please help.

[mayathebee]

I have recently qualified as a teacher and work in a lovely school with a fairly casual dress code (smart but not business dress). Before retraining I worked in research so my work uniform was jeans, tshirt and a lab coat, which is pretty much what I wear outside of work minus the lab coat.

Since retraining I have managed with 3 pairs of cheap M&S work trousers and a few plain tops. I really want to update my (boring) wardrobe before September but I have no idea what to look for or where to find it. Ideally I’d like to buy a dress and a couple of skirts, a more stylish/flattering pair of trousers, boots and tops to go with them. The problem is I’m not confident with clothes. Firstly I’ve lived in jeans for 40 years and I’m not sure how to put an outfit together, I never know what looks good together. Also, I’m also quite overweight - size 16/18 with a large tummy - and I’m quite hard on myself so it’s difficult to judge what suits me since I think everything looks a bit crap. I’m losing the weight slowly but don’t want to put off buying new stuff as I’ve been doing that for years.

I love my job and I’m probably more confident now than I’ve ever been. I’ve been a bit more adventurous over the summer wearing skirts, shorts and dresses for the first time. Now I want to build up my work wardrobe a bit but I don’t know where to start. Where do I look for flattering clothes for someone my age and size? Any recommendations for styles that work? I’m struggling to find a day to shop with a friend as we all have kids on hols - do any shops have good personal shoppers?

Its worth looking in TKMaxx and Monsoon for work dresses. Monsoon have a sale at the moment. Dresses are great as don't have to think of what top to wear etc. Shift dresses that go straight down in one colour ( not flowery) are very forgiving and fit nicely over a tummy. Buy a good size so you are comfortable.
You might also find stuff in the charity shops...dresses and pencil skirts.

Thanks Junebirthdaygirl - I bought a monsoon dress on eBay last month and really like the fit so that’s a good idea. I always think of monsoon for going out dresses rather than workwear for some reason so I hadn’t thought of looking there. My nearest Monsoon is next to TK Maxx so I’ll check them both out.

Am a teacher as well and buy a lot from ASOS, some nice dresses which can be worn in and out of school. (Was a size 28 so go to was dressed over leggings, now size 18 and still buying from there!)

Thanks Deadheadstickeronacadillac - I’ve never looked at ASOS. Is it easy to return stuff? I’m still not sure I could pick out clothes that suit me online.

If you are happy to do internet shopping can I suggest Boden? Delivery returns and refunds are always good, there are always discount codes, and as long as you stick to the plainer stuff there is lots and lots that is work appropriate. And congratulations on your new career x

Thanks Brillenbar. I might try some real life shopping this weekend to get an idea about which types of dress/skirt suit me then do some online shopping.

Dresses - go to H and M and try on loads to see which styles, lengths, colours and sleeves you like. Even if you don't buy any there, they have a huge selection so you can experiment to see what feels and looks good.

You could also look at wearing pretty printed shirts instead of block colour tops, like this or this blouse. H&M have some, or places like Zara and Mango as well as M&S, Next, the supermarkets. Some of them can be a bit sheer in which case you can wear a vest top underneath for school.

I recently bought a few nice work things from M&S and Debenhams.
I usually wear black so I’ve picked up a few mix and match navy bits- jacket, trousers, dress and skirt (not a suit) and can wear these with different tops I have.
Definitely worth investmenting in trousers you feel comfy in however I much prefer dresses as easy to just chuck on!

Meant to say- fair bit of my working wardrobe is supermarket, mainly Sainsbury’s.

I've bought a couple of dresses from Boden recently. If you can avoid some of the garish patterns, they are great quality and fit me well.

I would also buy a jersey blazer or similar - it will smarten up an outfit without being too restrictive in the classroom.

LockedOutOfMN - that's a good idea. There's a large H&M near us so I'll give it a go. I always assume H&M clothes won't fit but I think they are getting better at stocking bigger sizes.

SweetPeaPods - My tops mainly come from Debenhams. I've looked in M&S but often buy bits (just because they fit and I'm fed up) then feel really frumpy in them later. I do have a few bits from sainsbury and like their trousers. I'll have a look again.

whaettimeislove - I've seen some nice dresses and skirts in Boden but I have no idea what would suit me so I have no idea what to order. My tummy and bottom are huge so anything clingy is out. People recommend wrap dresses but they always look terrible (usually made in clingy jersey fabrics). I also have wide shoulders and a fairly large bust - I think I'd have an hourglass type shape if I didn't have so much weight around my middle. I have a couple of nice A line skirts but I don't know what to wear with them - I can't tuck anything in but if I wear a longer loose top I lose the shape.

A jersey blazer would be a good idea except my lab is always really warm, even before I get 30 pupils using bunsen burners. It's been awful this summer but is cosy even in the winter and I hate being too hot.

Thanks for the help so far. I really appreciate it. I can't believe I've almost reached 40 and I still don't know how to put together a flattering work outfit.

The teachers I know seem to wear a lot of White Stuff.

I actually think it must be a difficult dress code. I work somewhere that has a very formal dress code which is dead easy - suits, tailored separates etc. Casual is also easy - jeans or whatever. It’s the in between I would struggle with. I’d probably end up living in chinos.

What about linen trousers?

These were on my shortlist recently from clearance (I only bought 2 as my size went out of stock). They're all jersey and i sized up to avoid clinging.

I often wear a jersey blazer on the way in to work, but take it off during the day, so it could be part of your "uniform" even though you're not wearing it all the time.

whattimeislove - thanks again. The blazer would be good for days when I'm on duty or at meetings and I bet I use it more than I'd think. I'll definitely watch for one. I really like those dresses so I'm going to browse Boden when the kids are in bed

evilharpy - I'm one of those people who manage to make smart/casual look very very casual so I need to be careful what I choose! I think it might be because I feel self conscious so I buy clothes a size too big to hide my shape (not deliberately). I'd love some smart chino's but they make me look even more bulky around my middle. Maybe I need to try a straighter leg as the narrow legs just accentuates how much I go out at my waist/stomach and I end up with excess material gaping at my waist. I'll check out White Stuff - we have an outlet nearby.

Sorry not replying earlier, ASOS is an absolute doddle to return stuff, fill in returns label, stick bag back together, drop into local parcel shop or get the courier to collect from safe place.