Please help me to complete these outfits (and sorry for long post).

[mayathebee]

Hi. I posted a while ago that at work I live in cheap black trousers and tops and I wanted to update my wardrobe. I am size 16 with a huge pot belly and have felt totally lost when it comes to shopping. Thanks to the helpful advice I now have a couple of wrap dresses, a shift dress and 2 knee length skirts to wear .

I just need a bit of advice to finish off the outfits. I'm sure it's all obvious but I've lost my confidence on putting an outfit together.

1. What shoes should I be looking for? I'm a teacher so I'm on my feet all day and can't do much of a heel. I usually wear ballet flats but I'm not sure they look smart enough with dresses. Can I do long boots with knee length dresses/skirts. I've seen some low heel court shoes but they look like shoes my mum would buy. The skirts and dresses are mostly dark blue and grey - would you wear blue tights and brown boots with the blue and black tights/shoes with the grey?

1. One of the wrap dresses is a bit low in the cleavage for leaning over desks. It needs something small to fill in just the bottom of the wrap bit. Would you buy a very fitted vest/cami, sew in a bit of material or discard the dress (although the rest of it is lovely).

1. Any recommendations for trousers to disguise my huge pot belly? It's handy to have trousers occasionally but I can't find a flattering shape, particularly since I want to wear a looser top to hide my tummy.

I have Friday free to finish my shopping but need to go with an idea of what I'm looking for. Thanks for any help!

2. cami. I have about 10 vests/camis in various colours for this reason.

these are handy for covering up cleavage.

Thanks lights, I'll add those to the list.

MawkishTwaddle - do those fillers stay in place? I'd be worried they'd ruck up.

I've never actually used them because my cleavage is more of a wide valley, but teachers I have known have sworn by them.

Classrooms can get very hot, so camis can be a bit over-warm.

1. comfort is most important. If you're wearing dresses, how about black tights and these?

All from Clark's so good quality, and they look really comfy.

I wear knee-high boots with skirts and dresses. I am also partial to a "Mary Jane" style shoe with a low block heel.

For #3 I have this problem and wear m&s jersey trousers with elasticated waist - they're in the workwear section.

these trousers

I think you are probably the same shape and size as me.

The fillers work well, I use them in summer instead of a cami (which I use in cooler months), I’m also a teacher leaning over desks!

I have ballet flats, but they aren’t great for flattering ankles if you aren’t stick thin. I think a bit of a heel works better. Also most ballet flats are not really supportive enough for feet if you are on them all day- exceptions would be the more expensive brands with arch supports etc.

I’m looking for a pair of grey or navy high fronted shoes for autumn, I’m not quite ready to go into boots with my skirts yet. As it gets cooler I’ll be in chelsea boots with a low heel.

H&M do cheap cotton camis that are good for filling in gaps in dresses.

Clarks shoes and boots are comfortable, and they do some nice styles as well as ugly ones. Generally, I like their boots better than their shoes.

For trousers, try Gap bi-stretch slim ones.