Professional Clothing

[MitziK]

Yes, I know I post on stuff like this normally, but it's always easier to tell somebody else rather than take your own advice.

I'm being made redundant. I'm not that fussed about it, other than the little inconvenience of needing to keep a roof over our heads and buy cat food, as I'm not able to keep up with the physical demands anymore (I have Psoriatic Arthritis and it's a Right Bastard when your job includes scuttling around on the floor, hefting equipment around, repairing random items at a moment's notice and then having to look super appropriate at events when nobody can see you're wearing steel toecap boots with your little black dress behind the scenes )

I need something like my old jobs back - admin - a nice little office with a desk, computer no random tools and soldering irons in the pen pot heating that works, a real lunchbreak and no more 18 hour days.

Trouble is, after so long, I have exactly one black midi skirt and two pairs of black trousers that just slide under the Workplace appropriate description bar if you turn a blind eye to the patches where they've been worn thin. I usually wear 3/4 sleeve tops or T-shirts because it's hard bloody work. They're all knackered.

I'm also 46, fat, huge belly pooch and stumpy little legs and genuinely cannot wear court shoes, irrespective of the width fitting, or any heels at all. My joints can't take it. I hate feeling restricted and need to be able to move around and breathe, rather than truss myself up with shapewear - tights three times a year are quite enough discomfort for me.

But I need to look smart and respectable enough that somebody who works in HR will think 'this person is worth ignoring the health issues, age and almost entirely independent working practices for and hiring anyway'.

If I have a nice thing to go to (ha ha ha ha - we're too skint for such events), I'd go for a punky/toned down rockabilly look. It suits me. If I can wake up rather than bury my head in my pillow and wish for a quick death , I can do wonders with makeup in five minutes. My hair can be sorted.

My problem is clothes that I don't look uncomfortable in, as I need to look capable and confident. And maybe not quite as old and tired as I am.

I have ordered these Trousers in Navy Blue (a huge change to my customary blacks) and, yes, Black. My main reasoning was;

Trousers = I have one midi skirt. That's enough. And I hate shaving my legs/sticking my nails through tights when I'm still mostly asleep.
Wide leg = comfortable
Heavy Fabric = hard wearing and should drape well
Turnups = slightly retro feel/less mutton/I detest tight trousers
Pockets = they should be the law in all clothing
Belt loops = I can never get trousers that fit my huge arse and belly droop without a huge gap at the back

I ordered a length longer than usual because I saw they were ankle grazers. Which I also hate because my screwed up ankles are permanently swollen from the arthritis, I'd still have to shave if that part is visible and nobody likes cold ankles. This means they should fall onto the top of the shoe without forming a scraggy puddle at my heel.

and a pair of wide fit, plain black leather loafers for support, hopefully comfort and conforming to expectations. I hate the tassels, but I'm hoping I won't notice them once I've got the things on.

Loafers

I'm maxed out on spending now, especially as I need to get some more hair dye to hide the thick white stripe emerging from the top of my gingery head, but I need to plan for the rest of the outfit.

I've found employers are sympathetic to young people not looking super smart because they're skint - but fat, old birds? Less so.

Is there any advice on what I could team these with/whether they're good enough for an ageing punk bassist trying to come across as vaguely respectable but not too old and ill for them to employ?

Apart from the white stripe, I'm a faded redhead, complete with a million freckles, green eyes, a stupid childlike upturned nose and a fundamental aversion to anything that isn't black, red or green (or a deep bluey teal at a pinch).

Take a look on jd williams or simply be website. There is a code wrap3 you can enter at checkout for free delivery and 10% off which is JDW10.
They cater for the curvier lady. Trousers in short length and cheap maxi skirts. Elasticated ones you can pull up a bit so they are the right length.
They do some nice tops and flat shoes. Happy job hunting (and clothes hunting!)

I have no idea style wise but you're very funny and write really well.

Okay what height and actual clothes size are you?

5'6" and top size 16/18. Bottoms - somewhere between 18 and 28, as it's mostly the loose skin that gets in the way making things not fit, rather than my waist (18).

Basically, I look rather like I've melted from my diaphragm downwards.

You sound like my twin.

I have just bought some chiffon shirts to replace the Jersey tops I've always worn with black trousers. I have bought a grey check blazer from H&m which works really well.

A jacket or blazer - crucial.
Crisp white shirts - don't date and last for years. (I have one that I have been wearing for twenty years). Bravissimo are good for shirts that fit over boobs.

Yes I agree with PP you sound ace. Come and work where I do! I have a colleague same age, size and shape as you, she looks great in shift dresses worn over trousers and boots. And she has a blazer (lapels covered in pin badges) and I think she always looks great.

Workwear isn't about court shoes and pencil skirts any more. Smart flat shoes or boots are fine. I would say loose top or bottom but not both, be a bit brave with colour and accessories, wear a jacket if you can find one you like but doesn't need to be a matched suit.

With those trousers and shoes you could still wear long-sleeved t-shirt style tops with a jacket/blazer over the top. Have a look at Landsend for tops (they have good discounts in the sale). Depending on where you work you could probably get away with a cardigan rather than a jacket (although a jacket would be better for an interview).

www.marksandspencer.com/oversized-long-sleeve-shirt/p/p60258764?prevPage=plp

Shirts like this are good, especially if they’re the kind that never creases. Comfy but still smart.

I think only very corporate office for heels. All my work shoes are flat, this winter I have been wearing flat rubber soled Chelsea boots with everything.

Personally I don’t like collared and button up blouses and shirts they make me look lumpy and frumpy because if you’re shape isn’t right for the cut they don’t fit right. I wear shell tops, I like the Boden Carey bouse but you can get similar cheaper in next and m &s. for instance this top with your new trousers and black shoes would look smart.

If you have a smart overcoat you can possibly get away without a blazer for interview but it is something to consider.

Thank you!

I'll get looking at those recommendations - and probably start panicking slightly more if I actually get any interviews .

My ideal would be somewhere I don't actually have to conform to any particular code - but I'd still have to get through the interview in the first place!

I'm a 16/18 but quite toned. I used to wear separates a lot then discovered dresses, in black and navy, which because i hate my legs i team with boots three quarters of the year. I saw some lovely work dresses in John Lewis in the sale for 26 quid down from 90. A real bargain. So if you need to invest in office clothes they are much easier to wear. You don't really need to think about what to put on in the morning, iyswim. Its worth going to a personal shopper in JL and just trying loads on. A ps means you try things you wouldnt normally try. Take photos of what you like, then find the shapes and drapes, and styles that suit you, online, where it's cheaper.

Well , still no success on the job front, but those trousers were perfect in every way - buying standard 7/8 when I'm normally a short made them the perfect length and the material is so thick, they feel and drape as though they are far more expensive than they were.

And the shoes might pinch a little on the toes after a full day on my feet, but they fit well with tights, and they're slimmer/less heavy in profile than I expected. I might try and stretch to a decent pair of brown/tan Oxfords to wear with the blue trousers (or any of my dark green/grey things).

Part of the rummaging through my wardrobes meant I rediscovered my knee length boots which I'd thought the ex lodger had nicked when she moved out, which means they can be worn with skirts, especially when I found several unopened packs of autumn coloured tights (that's how often I wear smart clothes - I probably got them about five years ago) and a couple of shirts in complimentary tones.

I will get some more things like you kindly suggested when a new job is more likely/been offered, though.

Not wearing them for the remainder of my notice period. They can stick with my usual all black and cheap. This place doesn't deserve me at my smartest.