Return to work: clueless and need help

[PeriComoToes]

It's been 15 years since I was at work. Back then I was a fit size 10/12 and worked in an office. Now a size 18, menopausal apple with big thighs and chunky arms. No idea what to wear.

I'll be working in a trendy gift shop. I could be working on the shop floor or in the dusty back room. I need clothes that will serve both purposes as I won't know what I'll be doing until I get there each day.

Footwear easy, it'll be smart trainer type shoes like Vega/Stan smiths. But the rest?

I hate jeans, wrap dresses and 50s style. I need layers as I feel the cold but am prone to hot flushes. No light colours incase I get gunk on me from the back room, easy care fabrics too but hate polyester trousers.

I went to the interview in a Zara dress, jacket and platform brogues but this was a thin summer dress and I don't want to wear a jacket all day.

I have no clue what to wear. Help please!

Clearly I am beyond help

Bumping for the Saturday crowd

Ooh OP I feel clueless about work clothes at the mo so came on here hoping to see some good ideas from the S&B dwellers. Sorry, that’s not much help to you though.

How about something like this to wear on top wehn you're in the backroom - it's kind of cool looking for shop front too, if you need to take a turn serving.

And dont buy too much until you see how the days pan out and have a better idea of what you need.

good luck with your new job.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Women-Pinafore-Apron-Casual-Dungaree-Overall-Wrap-Pocket-Bib-Mini-Dress-UK-10-18/153588250303?hash=item23c292b6bf&var&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&enc=AQAEAAADMKvsXIZtBqdkfsZsMtzFbFsbX3WcW5fmB%2Fx7ZbaZTyexXsFhof%2BVPCPX%2FHneCavnjsDNoKDucDnEVaP%2BNQ1ab2YA65I5al3WGGZocSHUkTxWy9bFdmgmCo1GmINCaJiSEAtDirVb%2BMRNnrUKsZrS%2BiyKc7wCOG%2BQ0mHgWZT18PYVTfV174NRZ2SjphSPAN3arViNfmo4uo0towAqP6eQcZuUT%2FmqqNTUY08jZp4WqdcW%2Fi4iyt7mwRz6X1jXHUGl%2Blhh5pELJgQlG%2B%2FhScS91JsZsBOhfP1RpB8sIypKTRpjjTrU6rdLiV8B%2B3wXBfS1BQ9hM%2FFZoOoZ72%2F8rFzJlGLipKWxanjQ%2FbL9%2BSespD8xayj3IPoTEqnA69c%2FkIbVVDldwbJiSgDdDo68w1MoY0HsydRs%2FHC0Xyn27CtvId%2Bw%2Fr0k6IR%2FaodQgg%2F3V6%2BRLM2smCZKsMQp4tMc0C6pdbAltEYTjD3JDqT5SBmeKEopH8Gk%2BgIFgFqBlfoctD43jwfjtwucLQrCzVEwhjFp5DfunHrhqJDE1ASa%2B01yAtILOraixriAkKyDKmWrjSsBPlCqINvr9YWxcrxJE7tx0qMiWquUVm8ngEr38r%2FdX2lEdkhczC07pCpfT5autaEyQdf06dFgpmhKSNU%2Bwc%2FyYJ7UZ5J7iGQQCX3yW0kb3NpqpjfuO9%2B%2BUcAEqdYvvkKvCombyvPUaJ%2FcQDs3vjexlKWeEhR9RL%2BkwA59Soxmr5vG2tKNUGB4Yn1tc4Q%2BSTT59De6Jz4bCbqjX8qUeUiovaow7TYU5y6f23a98kUOMUgkzjpypklGxTDDTdcRgQj2NWq9Itj707dRu8Y9mQfdCs%2FtKVESfiuroKt74Y6z7k3su89eWdE73PWcXM3mLU9dby1h9gmol5FfqXUrfN5%2FyxCb3217oZAjrULHlXihEllgD0snHmWMD1WPwBOlzpg8UV8f0NjRtXkU8Lgj6EUxqq9f7L1d9lpY5VAuRF4KVSFB%2FZXqGPWefZ0EjUCEf3z%2FmgfjUZc7bN5ZjROVGM%2B%2FrER7J58dQXenM0o74uucgsBn7BFu4ige6cfSmxb2pS1hBw%3D%3D&checksum=153588250303db3ffdd9db7d4e4abead1484397d8c86

crikey its a huge link ( sorry!)

Thank you for replying! I am oldish and a size 18 so think I would look more like your nan than someone hip and trendy. Or a Martha.

I'd buy quality cotton stretch ankle grazer trousers, Richmond trousers by boden are my favourite but uniqlo 7/8s are good too. Look great with trainers but could easily work with ankle boots in winter.

I like good jersey tops with a slight batwing cut, more flattering on my apple shape, Baukjen do the best quality and they wash and wear so well. I also like Zara blouse type tops...You could later a thermal t or vest underneath them if you're worried about temperatures? Or what about uniqlo knitwear, their 360 boat neck cotton sweater is a great shape, looks smart and comes in good colours.

Thanks Gilly some good suggestions there though Not sure 7/8 would work on me as I am thunderous of thigh. Perhaps some dark wide legs would work.

I need to be able to take things off incase I get hot so thermal underwear won't work.

Am going to Google the tops

Do you mean this type of top Gilly

www.baukjen.com/collections/tops-tees/products/ella-top-classic-navy

I really like that. Am in shock about Baukjen. I thought it was all mad coloured lagen look type stuff. Far from it!

OP What about Seasalt stuff?

Not knowing your colouring/style I won't anything specific - but you can layer tunics over polo tops or stripey tops.

I also find old school DM's vv comfortable & warm when you are on your feet all day - with thick socks & leggings, tunic and then big cardigan over the top which you can take on/off

Sorry - just re-read my post above - and realised its a bit vague

this red cardigan would be a "statement" type ting which you could wear over dark navy chinos (rolled up) or thick leggings, then a tunic top or a Breton style top (Baukjen, Joules - the Harbour one, or Seasalt). You can then take off big cardi if a flush comes on. If you do get cold later on - the M&S heatgen or Uniqlo thermal tops as layers under would work. They are ok to wear on their own if you did have a proper red faced melt.

Toast or Plumo are other online shops which you could look at for ideas to then put together elsewhere (they are far too £££ IMO)