Help with work wardrobe! If I wear sandals and dresses in the summer, what do I wear in the winter?!

[IrisJoy]

Hi All,

I am really stuck with what to wear for work in the winter.

I like dressing quite simply. In the summer I wear tea dresses or jump suits with menorcan sandals or flip flops. In the winter at home I wear jeans and jumper with chelsea boots or trainers/converse.

But I am always stuck with what to wear for work in the winter. I end up feeling frumpy or just not me. I have looked on pinterest but I can only find either very formal office wear or jeans.

I like the style of people like Michelle Williams. I am a teacher so need to be warm and comfortable with flat shoes! No jeans but don't have to be too formal (primary school).

I don't mind dresses with cardigans, tights and chelsea boots, or loose jumpers with skinny trousers and chelsea boots. But I can never seem to find the right thing and end up looking frumpy. Any other ideas welcome!

I am only 5'1. I am size 8, have ok legs but a big tummy. So can't wear the tight tops and loose trousers combo that is everywhere at the moment.

Please help!!

Bump....

I wear skater type dresses with tights and boots so comfy, cardigan on top if chilly.

I wear skinny trousers with Chelsea boots and a thin sweater, I’m a different body shape to you though, I’m 5’9 and work in an office.
I’ve noticed a lot of the teachers st my dd’s primary school only wear dresses, jersey, or floaty with biker boots, or long boots. You could add a soft blazer or a cardigan?

Thanks both. I think I will have to go for the dress/tights/boots/card combo. I am just not sure how to make sure I don't drift onto frumpy territory. I guess by making sure I ditb get lots of patterns maybe?
Where do you get your jumpers and trousers from? @Candleglow7475 I can never seem to find quite the right thing...

At the moment I’m a size up from where I feel comfortable, so I wear mostly longline shirts with skinny jeans or leggings (mine are leopard print or velvet or always have som point of interest to the design). I keep it from looking frumpy firstly in the way I carry myself, but also by wearing either high heeled shoes, over the knee boots, or shoes with some kind of edge or attitude.

When I’m one size smaller I wear lots of ribbed jumpers/roll necks and pencil skirts (short and long), again with heels, brogues or lace up boots.

I love a good pussy bow blouse with trousers and understated heels.

I wear simple shift dresses, generally with a bit more of an interesting shoe to make more of a statement with it.

I’ve just bought a couple of blanket mini skirts in the M&S sale, I will wear them with a thin knit jumper and flat boots, block heeled brogues, or court shoes.

Oh oops missed the flat shoe bit!

I’d pick Chelsea boots for the days where you want a simple, classic look. One pair in leather and one in suede, maybe?

Thick soled brogues look quite cool and are practical. I’ve got my eye on a grey patent pair from M&S.

Animal print low heeled ankle boots (snake skin is quite big right now) - I’d buy from somewhere like new look to avoid spending too much money. I got a leather pair for £15 in their sale, last year.

Dresses! So simple and easy to wear, and you can change up the footwear according to mood or to change the overall look.

A pair of flat boots from somewhere like Timberland is always a good option. If you pick well they will look good with almost everything and will last a good long while.

Jumpsuits work well with trainers or converse-style shoes.

Thank you @Ninkaninus that's really helpful and some great ideas.i have a couple of pairs of brogues that I love. Hadn't thought of longline shirts.and could wear longline Cardigan over when it's cold.
I am interested that you mention jeans and trainers. I am not sure if we'd be allowed to wear jeans (new school from Sept) but maybe if they are black not blue...? Or converse/trainers... But that look would work with brogues too.
I love dresses becuase they are easy but can never find anything just right. (have to shop petite) I would like something relaxed (soft fabric and loose) but not a jumper dress and fairly plain... Where do you get your dresses?

Lately I’ve been buying mostly from Hobbs, Jigsaw, whistles, Jaeger. And M&S. Usually in the sales, to keep the cost down.

Our dress code at work has just been relaxed by quite a long way (up until very recently jeans were only ok for Fridays), but before that I wore coloured and/or black jeans and jeggings without any problems. I think if it’s not obviously denim you can probably get away with it as long as the overall outfit is professional.

Forgot to say as long as your jumpsuits aren’t too summery looking, you could try wearing a ribbed jumper or roll neck underneath. Again, both formal or casual flat shoes should work nicely with that look.

I bought a pair of suede leopard print flat laced shoes (probably officially trainers but I think I’d get away with them for work wear) from Kurt Geiger, again at a really good price in their sale.

And a pair of leather navy laced shoes (smart enough, again, to be used as work wear IMO) from Jigsaw. Also in the sale.

I’d happily wear each of those with a range of work wear outfits.

These are all great ideas. It's just finding them to fit as I am so short petite.
I don't mind spending a bit more, jigsaw etc if it's the perfect thing as I tend to go quite classic. Then, as you say, I can get cheaper shoes etc to add a more on trend touch.
I am hoping if I go shopping in the Easter holidays I will be able to get some decent winter clothes on sale!

Yes I’m fairly average height so that does make it easier. If you do find that a certain handful of styles or silhouettes from those brands suit you nicely then the good thing is that you can start to buy from eBay too. I like a bargain!

Yes I do the bulk of my buying in end-of-season sales. It’s great.

Hi op I always get my skinny / slim fit pants from next - navy & many black pairs. I get thin sweaters from next and Debenhams ‘The Collection’ mainly. Both do ‘petite’ ranges although I’ve never tried them.
I also wear brogues, some funky black & white and patent ones in warmer weather.

Thank you so much, both of you

Been looking at websites today and found some nice, plain loose fitting jumpsuits. How would I wear them for winter with flats? I was thinking maybe brogues and either a longline Cardigan or a round neck Cardigan? Or may be pumps if the weather's not too cold? Arghh! 😁

I’d say with pumps. Unless your brogues have got s bit of an edge to them, in which case they might work too.

I’d be inclined to put a layer under rather than over, but that’s just me.

I forgot to mention Reiss and Toast.

Fab. Thank you. I have some black patent brogues with a very chick (almost platforms) sole. I was thinking they might work.
How would you work a layer under? I can't find any jumpsuits with long sleeves so would you layer sleeves under a playsuit??

You are my new style guru by the way 😂

@IrisJoy sorry I fell off the thread! Was ill for a whole week and lost track.

I guess it would depend on the jumpsuit, but I have a couple that have mid sleeves and I would probably just put a ribbed polo neck knit or something like that under it, or maybe one of those v neck long sleeved tee shirts. Alternatively you could put a tee under and a big chunky cardigan over. I’d steer away from the thin cardigans as you might stray into matronly territory.

Thanks for the compliment btw! I’m glad no one can see me sitting around in my pyjamas right now...

@Ninkaninus I hope you're feeling better!
I did a bit of shopping but didn't find much. I am going to clear out my wardrobe this week so I can see what I have and where there are gaps so that I know what I am looking for. Wish me luck!