Size 18 work clothes - please help

[DerelictWreck]

I have an interview this week for a consultancy. The role will mean being in and out of big corporates so would need to look professional and stylish if I get it.

Even if not I want to sort out my work wardrobe. I live in leggings and jumpers as current office is casual and I've fallen into a rut. Help me please?! I'm going to Oxford Street tomorrow and want to come out with a load of staples. Essentially have no budget but would rather gets a fair few things than spend £££ on each item.

The thing I'm most stuck on is comfortable work trousers for plus size women - M&S seems to think this means jogging bottoms . Can anyone recommend?

I am a size 18-20 and literally never wear anything other than black tights/black shift dress as I find it the most comfortable. Depends where you carry your weight though I guess! I make the dress/tights combo look very different with accessories/shoes/jackers though so I don't look boring if that makes sense.

I agree it is very difficult to get good trousers - John Lewis on Oxford Street has always got a fairly good selection of brands up to a size 18 though and is my go to if I want something out of my usual M&S/Monsoon/Mango comfort zone!

Good luck!

Uniqlo do nice stretch trousers that don’t look stretchy. They don’t dig in or bag anywhere, and they stretch in every direction so you don’t need to do a trouser-hitch after bending down. Especially good for apple shape, which I am.

Do uniqlo go up to an 18?

I've an hour-glass figure so hoping to find some trousers that fit but aware that if they're big enough for my thighs then they're usually to big for my waist!

Will definitely be trying John Lewis but sometimes the number of brands in there is overwhelming, especially not knowing who goes beyond a size 16!

Oh and Enid where do you get jackets from? I've big boos so often find that an extra extra challenge!

ASOS have a very good curve range

Uniqlo XL is 18/20, and quite a bit of their stuff goes up to XL, the trousers might not suit an hourglass though.

Have you tried la redoute or violeta by mango? Some really nice classic stuff there.

I actually got a couple of pairs of trousers from M&S and from what I recall the Oxford Street branch has a reasonable selection. H&M is also not bad but sizing is quite random.

House of Fraser seems to have a Studio 8 concession although that can be a bit £££ and I find them better for tops than trousers

This dress from gap im a 22 and wear xxl so xl should work for you. Its a lovely quality jersey that doesnt lose its shape or cling. Great by itself in warm weather or with a cardigan/waterfall jacket and tights (snag brand tights are brilliant) in the winter. I wear bright coloured tights or jackets or jewellery to vary it up.

www.gap.co.uk/gap/modern-boatneck-dress/000384721.html?dwvar_000384721_color=000384721003&dwvar_000384721_fit=regular&cgid=#q=Boatneck%2Bdress&lang=en_GB&start=4

www.gap.co.uk/gap/modern-boatneck-dress/000384721.html?dwvar_000384721_color=000384721003&dwvar_000384721_fit=regular&cgid=#q=Boatneck%2Bdress&lang=en_GB&start=4

ASOS curve has served me well in the past, but is usually a bit more patterned than I prefer - live in greys and blacks but that's a challenge for another day!

Not tried either Mango range so will check that out. Would like to avoid the situation of sitting in a changing roomed armed with things I like but can't fit into, so any suggestions on ranges with fit my size would be great!

Boden is my go to for work trousers.

Thanks Lwmommy - didn't even think of Gap!

I was pleasantly surprised in Jigsaw yesterday. Quite a lot in an 18. But a lot had sleeves that end before the elbow, which don't work for me. Who'd have thought there would be a whole new body part to hate .

Sea salt dress, snag tights, unbuttoned Cardigan or a blazer type thing

Honestly Hobbs is the best place for plain heavy duty dresses that last ages.

Another option a lot of larger female consultants go for for in the city is Monsoon. Again plain, heavy duty dresses.

But Monsoon is probably better if you need a size 20 plus. I find them a little weird in sizing if you are a size 14-18.

I'm actually ok for dresses - I find fatface a life saver there. It's more trousers, blazers, smart tops etc that I need.

Plus comfy heels - where do you get comfy heels from?! Not massive stilettos but something to add class to a dress or the dream comfy cigarette trousers I choose to believe exist out there!

Am picking this up tomorrow - what do we think?

www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-fran-shift-dress-navy-ivory/p4061046?size=18

I find Phase 8 sizing a bit big around the waist. You might need to drop a size.

I got some great black trousers from M&S recently, in the holy grail size of 18L. They're wide fit with a crease down the middle and hang really nicely. To date they have also not required any ironing.

Derelict Evans wedges are good. I’m on about my fifth or sixth pair (over ten years) a wedge will take the pressure off the heel and are easier to wear all day

Boden for work trousers, Mint Velvet and Phase Eight for tops and dresses

Marks and Spencers do stretchy all round work trousers. Not the absolute smartest things in the world but perfectly serviceable... in a variety of fits too. Eg: www.marksandspencer.com/slim-leg-trousers/p/p60228308?extid=ps_gglpla_Women&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_tWgkv6E4gIVyZPtCh1tJA1QEAQYASABEgKX8fD_BwE

With an hourglass figure I suggest jumpsuits. Wide leg cropped silk jumpsuits look amazing for workwear. I have a black one and live in it with black tights and black heels.