Right, you can buy ANY smart coat you like for a return to work. Hit me.

[VenetiaHall]

Returning to work soon after DC2. Work clothes hardly fit me but I'm trying to lose the belly so not wanting to buy more. Going into a more senior role than I left and hoping for promotion in the near future. Wondering if a smart new coat will be what I need to look the part and feel confident going back into an office of bright young things who have had a full night of sleep in the last 3 years...

Any suggestions?

Don't mind about colour, budget etc, just looking for inspiration.

PS I'm up North. It's cold.

I love Busy Clothing

Good value for money, excellent quality and great service

I've got this one - I love it. Excellent for the office, warm and smart for a night out, good with jeans at the weekend:

www.reiss.com/p/single-breasted-long-line-coat-womens-mabel-in-black/?category_id=10347&hInd=3

Padded warm style

uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1.68.4/5404190351

Shorter length military

uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1.68.4/5464286108

Classic maxi length

uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1.68.4/5464411608

Great selection at Jigsaw. They work really well with jeans etc at weekends too.

Professional Nomad - you are bloody wonderful! Normally when people recommend sites they only go up to a 12 or 14 - I love that long black coat!

Thanks a bunch - you are a star!

The prices are good too!

Money no object - Max Mara for a warm coat, Burberry or Aquascutum for a trench coat
Some cash to splash - Jigsaw or Hobbs

Thanks so much for responses. Managed to pick up a nice woollen coat in Debenhams yesterday which was cheap as chips in the sale so thinking I'll splash out for an Aquascutum trench with the rest of the budget.