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Original poster

Can you style me for my new job (plus size)

21 replies

partysong · 26/08/2019 14:43

For the NHS - in a senior management role with some patient contact.

I love fashion, my idea taste is usually things like Zara but I've been too big to fit into them for a while. Currently a size 20, intend to be an 18 by the time I start. 5 foot 8, size 9 feet. Dark hair.

I've just bought some trousers from uniglo (1 wide leg, one slim fit) but I'm not sure they're flattering. I usually wear knee length dresses but they aren't massively stylish.

Am relatively flexible on budget.

Any idea?

OP posts:
Original poster
partysong · 26/08/2019 17:34

Bump?

OP posts:
Elision · 26/08/2019 17:49

Knee length is fine - I have several knee-length shirt dresses which look quite professional. Why don’t you think they do? Just avoid jersey and wrap dresses.

Uniqlo trousers are great. Their tops can be a bit shapeless and frumpy, though. My daily look is trousers in black or grey, a good blouse that fits well and has a small bit of feminine detail but no ruffles or stupid fluffy sleeves, Manolo Blahnik pointed flats (I walk a lot at work) and a good bag- a giant black Chanel flap or a brown leather Loewe hammock bag. If you can’t (or don’t want to) afford real designer, please just get a nice-looking unbranded high street bag. Michael Kors/Ted Baker/etc are cringeworthy.

Ilikethisone · 26/08/2019 20:04

I am in senior management. Not nhs though.

All our female senior staff where trousers or knee length skirts and dresses.

I generally tend to shop at next. The next tailoring dresses are decent quality for the price. I get a new one everytime I get paid. Theres a next near where I work so pick it up there.

Also, do you mind linking the trousers. I am a size 16 and looking for some wide leg ones. Thank you

Fstar · 26/08/2019 20:05

If budget no issue i would buy from torrid, i hot some nice bits for work and activewear too

www.torrid.com/

Original poster
partysong · 26/08/2019 21:52

@Ilikethisone - the website doesn't work that well for me so I can't get a direct link but wide leg trousers were here www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/women/bottoms/trousers-leggings-sweatpants

@Elision it's not so much that knee length doesn't look professional- just the ones I have aren't very stylish (they're not awful, block colours - just not something I love) intend on getting either a simple leather bag or something from Zara.

OP posts:
user1471560044 · 26/08/2019 22:45

I'm a senior manager - tho creative industries so perhaps (?) more relaxed dress codes. I'm a bit fatter and a bit shorter than you so widelegs can be tricky (I just look wide all over) but I love then on other women with fine-knit sweaters.

If it's helpful, I tend to focus on quality materials and proper fit: so neat wool mix 7/8 trousers or great quality denim with silk shirts or cashmere v-necks; properly heavy jersey wrap or shift dresses with interesting jewellery; good weight linen and cotton shirts with a bit of stretch in them so they fit well.

I don't think it all needs to be super expensive - I have some decent shirts and trousers from M&S, and good dresses from Boden. Knitwear from Pure. Odd things from Kin. I like Arket/Cos, Toast and Oliver Bonas for accessories and spend money on decent boots and trainers.

I wear quite a lot of black, navy and charcoal but also strong block colour and graphic patterns. I just try to make everything look meant if you know what I mean?

Good luck! I'm also soon to start a new job and I'm enjoying working through my new wardrobe.

Original poster
partysong · 26/08/2019 23:12

Thanks @user1471560044 that's really helpful - what kind of tops do you wear with your trousers? I love the slim fit trousers but they make my belly look huge!

OP posts:
permanentlyfrazzled1 · 27/08/2019 00:07

Peplum style tops can help disguise a belly. Congratulations and good luck with the new job!

user1471560044 · 27/08/2019 12:33

Oh I have a proper tummy @partysong. I tend to like a slim quite thick cotton shirt that comes to my hip - so you get tummy coverage without it getting long and tunic-y. I do sometimes like a half tuck with a silk or other floppy shirt to keep things neat. For me the thing is not wearing a fitted stretchy top with a narrow trouser - that's when I start to look spherical!

Original poster
partysong · 27/08/2019 17:38

Thank you both

I can't find anything that doesn't make me look huge with the trousers so they're gonna go back I think. Probably be sticking with dresses

OP posts:
FenellaMaxwell · 27/08/2019 17:43

I’m NHS management and a size 18/20. You know Zara does XXL dresses now? They’re a size 18/20. Today I’m wearing this dress and these shoes.

Original poster
partysong · 27/08/2019 18:03

Ooh do they really fit @FenellaMaxwell?

I used to be an XL in Zara when I was size 14 (10 years ago)

Ps. I bet you look amazing!

OP posts:
FenellaMaxwell · 27/08/2019 18:08

They do! I’m a mostly boob size 20 as well! I also have The Dress and wear that to work all the time. They’ve brought it out in a new black and red print now for winter....

Original poster
partysong · 27/08/2019 18:20

Ooh thank you! I've just downloaded the app

OP posts:
FenellaMaxwell · 27/08/2019 18:26

Come back and share your haul once you get it!

FenellaMaxwell · 27/08/2019 18:27

PS hopefully we aren’t at the same Trust/Division or we run the risk of looking silly at meetings.... Grin

clucky3 · 27/08/2019 18:38

I'm the same size, height and shoe size as you OP. I tend to wear dresses for work as they are more flattering to my thunder thighs. I find long tall sally has some really good work dresses, I usually get at least one each year there. Other places that I find good are M&S (bit hit and miss to be honest) and some of the less flowery stuff at Boden. I only buy boden in the sale as it's expensive but it's really good quality and lasts Well. I used to work in NHS senior management and wore all these then. Examples from current collections that I'd try would be:

https://www.longtallsally.com/dresses/modern-ditsy-wrap-midi-dress-05AF024/p?option=05AF024MUL

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/hazel-midi-dress-ruby-ring/sty-w0396-dpr?cat=C1S22G4G7577

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/hadley-ottoman-midi-dress-navy-post-box-red/sty-j0474-nav?cat=C11_S2G44_G757

I also just scanned all of the midi dresses at M&S and couldn't see a single one that looked nice

clucky3 · 27/08/2019 18:40

So off to check out Zara dresses...

clucky3 · 27/08/2019 18:44

@Fstar how does the sizing work at torrid? Could you compare it to a particular UK shop? I'm a bit lost with US sizing

Amara123 · 27/08/2019 18:52

Hi!

I had to recently buy an entire work wardrobe after my maternity leave and I booked an appointment with a personal shopper in a department store. It was brilliant! Tried on lots of things I wouldn't normally pick and got a great capsule wardrobe going. You should try that?

Fstar · 27/08/2019 20:23

@clucky3 im larger on top and have to get a 22 in some tops, torrid size 2 is perfect. They have a uk conversion chart, id say on par with debenhams, m and s sizing. The gym bras are brilliant too

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