Please Help - Going back to work clothes - capsule wardrobe needed, what should I get?

[womblingalong]

Am going back to work this week, 3 days a week, have not really bought work clothes since preg with DD, (Autumn 2003!). The silhoueetes have all changed now, and most of my old stuff is looking v shabby and past it.

Went to shops last week, MIL had DS for day, and came back with zip, nada, nothing.

Am paralysed ith chice, don't know what I need/what will suit me.

Please can anyone help me, I will be forever grateful?

I am 5ft and curvy, BFing norks, so no dresses, big thighs and arms, dark hair and eyes, olive skin, what shall I doooooo?

P.S. Have already got black flannel straight legs, brown & beige wideleg trousers and one top, purple.

The trousers sound a good starting point so I'd recommend getting some tops to go with them - wear the purple one with the black trousers, or, if they're both quite plain, try it with the brown ones and then maybe tie it in with a necklace in both colours. Wrap tops are good, or square necked T shirt type ones that skim gently over waist and hips - I got a nice black one in M & S but their other colours are generally pretty grim. M & S also do cheapo jumpers with v necks which are fine with skirts or trousers - though again, some of the colours are truly vile (but they will probably have black and brown). I like pashminas or chunky necklaces to lift fairly basic outfits.

Mrs Badger is good at this.

Copied from a previous thread where someone wanted a capsule work wardrobe for £50

one pair footwear (boots/shoes as you like but keep them polished and looked after)
one smartish jacket (not part of suit)
two smartish trousers
scarf/wrap thing
four or five tops (sleeve length will depend on aircon, heating etc - you can always leave jacket and/or they're a bit of a minefield in the winter unless scarf on if it's icy)

I don't wear black (and am evangelical about getting others to stop, it's so unimaginative), so if this was me picking from clothes I've actually got I'd do:

tan low-heeled boots
cream linen/cotton jacket
one pair chocolate brown trous
one pair tan trous
cotton tops with flattering necklines in
brown s/s
brown l/s
terracotta 3/4 s
olive green 3/4 s
one cream blouse in case need to be v formal
orange patterned scarf

but there's nothing to stop you getting black shoes/trous/jacket/scarf and coloured tops, or whatever colour combo you like.

HTH

Thanks Jayne and Overun,

Has anyone got any ideas on what shapes, this smock/tunic hing ver very fitted leggings/skinny trews does not really work for me I think?

bump please, any other ideas?

what do you do? How smart do you have to be?

wideleg trousers meant to be very good i believe (look ghastly in them myself), could be flattering for you with a fitted-ish top.

what shops are you going to? it can be helpful to limit your choice a bit rather than getting overwhelmed. monsoon if you are curvy? wrap tops brilliant if you're not quite in proportion. gap have some nice wrap merino cardies in teal and burgundy.

I usually shop at Gap/Jigsaw/Topshop/Muji/Dept Stores.

I work in brand management, don't need to be suited and booted, in fact can wear jeans, BUT I doneed to look sharp/on trend, and would like to look professional, so am ging to try and avoid jeans most of the time.

bump for morning style queens please!

.

pleeeeeeease anyone?? I am desperate & short of time!

someone has already pasted by stapel guidance

try a personal shopper in Topshop