Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Office wear for pear shape?

4 replies

Supertree · 17/09/2020 21:39

I got a job! But I have no idea of how to find clothes which are relatively cheap, comfy and look good. I’ve been interviewing in an outfit I bought from Matalan, this jacket and trousers with a lace top, or sometimes with a fine knit cardigan instead of the jacket.
www.matalan.co.uk/product/detail/s2760747_c228/grey-essential-suit-jacket-grey
The jacket and top look great, and are a size 10. The trousers are a 12 and a nightmare. See how they skim the models legs? They are tight on me, particularly over my chunky knees, and huge on my waist. I wore a belt and it’s just ridiculous because the belt can’t cope with the excess of folded up fabric. I have quite a small frame and small shoulders with a long upper body and quite a big bum and short legs, particuarly my lower legs. I’m actually now having to wear size 14 knickers and tbh size 10 is often loose on my waist. How on earth am I ever going to be comfortable?

I was thinking of maybe getting a stretchy high waisted pencil skirt which I can pair with lots of tops but not sure if it’ll look cheap. Trousers are what I would really like to buy but they fit me so badly. I saw a pair of elasticated waist trousers on the Asos website, by the brand y.a.s but they are sold in out my size. I see a lot of knee length skirts which look bloody awful on me as they make my legs look so short and cut off at the fattest part of my leg, which is the knee. They also tend to highlight my wide hips and cover over any kind of shape I might have. I feel like such a weird bodied freak!

OP posts:
EwwSprouts · 17/09/2020 22:02

I find skinny leg trousers don't flatter. Monsoon as a brand have a waist to hip ratio better for the curvy.

These are £22 in the sale. I would wear with a heeled ankle boot. www.monsoon.co.uk/charlotte-short-length-trousers-in-linen-blend-blue-84933461.html?dwvar_84933461_color=NAVY&quantity=1

Incrediblytired · 17/09/2020 22:04

Oh I’m the same!

How smart is your office? I would consider a fit and flare dress with tights or leggings

thedevilinablackdress · 18/09/2020 08:51

Realistically, to get trousers to fit your shape, you'd probably need to get them tailored, or go for an elasticated waist. I speak from experience. I used to get work trousers from COS. Or eBay.
As PP mentioned a dress, or maybe an A-line or flared skirt would work better.

Supertree · 18/09/2020 12:10

I’ve found a pair with an elasticated back and belt loops at topshop so I’ve ordered those. Thanks for advice, it’s crazy that it is so hard to buy a pair of trousers. I don’t even look curvy, I look completely average and it is annoying. It seems like such a waste of money to pay to get cheap trousers altered. Office isn’t too smart, just smart casual I suppose. So basic things like trousers, skirts, smartish blouses and shirts, fine knit jumpers is what I was thinking. Might have to forget the skirt idea because I only really like midi at the shortest and it might just be a bit much for the office. Thanks for the suggestions, they’ve given me some good ideas.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page