Revamping work wardrobe - help!

[UserAtLargeAgain]

So I'm going back to the office after 18 months wfh (which I've hated).

I had a look at all my work clothes and half of them don't fit (combination of lockdown weight game and perimenopause) and I hate the other half.

So I've decided I will probably charity shop most of them and plan a pared down practical wardrobe that I actually want to wear.
Only problem is I have no idea where to start. Dress code is sort of "smart casual" (but people for example wear jeans). I used to wear smarter trousers or skirts with tops and cardigans, but now the cardigans just look frumpy (and it's too cold in the autumn/winter just to wear one layer).
Has anyone done similar and can share how they managed it? Or point me in the direction of suitable websites?

Whatever you been wearing from home? What do you love outside of work style wise?

I think that's the issue. I've mostly livee in shorts/jogging bottoms and baggy T shirts. And on the very few social events since Covid I've worn jeans with a top or a summer dress. I need to smarten up a bit for work.

I'm not really interested in clothes (probably sacrilege for this board). I just need something simple and easy that I can chuck on in the morning and don't have to think too hard about.

I’d head to somewhere like uniqlo or cos to get some staple basics and then build from there.

Don’t know how you normally dress or your field, but I would get a few pairs of neutral pants or skirts. I love black pants because I can wear to work or casually, and a few solid but colorful tops. I like ones from m&s actually. They are inexpensive and easy care. I agree cardigan suddenly look frumpy to me too and I am similar age, etc. if you need layers I would get a blazer or too, maybe knit or softly structured. Good luck. It’s kind of fun to start over.

How do you feel about tiered dresses midi dresses? They're so easy and so comfy and easy to adapt around warm/cold weather

I've got a few pleated midi skirts that look good with a smart v neck t shirt and biker jacket for now and polo neck and boots for winter.

I also wear cropped wide leg trousers with shirts.

Cropped Cigarette pants with V neck top, flat shoes and drapey jacket/cardigan for now and boots/jumper for winter?

I buy all of my trousers and skirts with tasteful 😂 elasticated backs now (Zara do a great pair of crops), I want to look put together but I have to be comfortable.

All the above can be worn with trainers at the weekend too.

Went to the office today for the first time in 18 months.
My colleagues in a smart casual office were in either shirt, no tie and trousers (men), nice t-shirt, jeans, smart trainers (men and women), or tiered dress with black tights and chelsea boots (women). It's not customer facing.

Forgot to mention it was Central London, but for women, the tiered dress was definitely popular on the commute.

Thanks for the suggestions - and interested to hear *Whopping"'s experience. I work in IT and would say many of the stereotypes do apply. I'm in the first tranche of staff back to work (other than those that couldn't work remotely) so I suspect that we may see a similar sort of style of dress.

I wear dresses. If I get cold I wear a blazer or cardigan over the top with tights and smart shoes. In summer, no tights and a heeled sandal.

We do have a dress code, jeans and trainers would not be allowed.

I'm in IT too @UserAtLargeAgain, I would say a neat t-shirt, smartish jeans maybe black ones and vans-type trainers would be fine.

There weren't many women in the office, but midi skirt and jumper or blouse was worn by some of them. Summery shoes/sandals.

I went in the equivalent of shirt, no tie and trousers. I felt not quite right but that was mainly the fit of the clothes, they weren't wrong but that was more to thge fit and them looking a bit like male equivalent of boring outfit.

The advantage of dresses is that you don't have to layer over, you can layer underneath for warmth (thermal vests, long sleeve tops)