Office clothes when you’re apple shaped…

[Susurrar]

I need help putting together a fairly smart office wardrobe. I’m size 16-18, tall and very apple shaped - I carry all the surplus weight around my waist, I have large boobs and good legs.
In my current job I’ve just been wearing shirts and jeans as we’re mostly smart casual. I’m starting a new job in in 3 months and will need to up my game by quite a bit.
I find that typical work clothes (pencil skirts, smart trousers with shirts/tops tucked in) just accentuate my fat belly… can you inspire me with some suggestions please?

The right type of dress. Some elastic waisted dresses can look great as they create an in at the waist, but they need to be the right size so they don’t blouse out too much around or the elastic slide up to under boob.
Apart from that, I’m following for others comments!

@timeisnotaline I would love to find that kind of a dress, I find that because I’m quite tall, the waist always sits too high and makes me look pregnant. Maybe I’m just not looking at the right brands though.

Long shirts that you don't tuck in and long blazers to match. I hate jackets that taper off over the butt, looks hideous on most people. I've worked in Georgia for a few years though and tailoring is cheap there, so had a whole set of them custom-made. ("Yes I know the fashion is for shorter- if I wanted fashion I'd buy off the rack!") Oh and they've all got inside pockets too!!

@GrumpyPanda that could work, what sort of trousers do you tend to wear then? It has to be something quite fitted to balance it out, doesn’t it?

Don't have much choice in trousers as unlike you I am stuck with fat and not terribly long legs. (Another reason why long tops work well for me - basically long enough to cover the butt, like male jackets but tailored for a woman). So skinny fit won't work, I just have ordinary straight dark slacks and also a couple of tailored suits in the same style for more formal occasions. I actually often combine with large size men's shirts - they work quite well with boobs if you turn over the cuffs, and are long enough to go well with my jackets. But that might be a bit too informal for you- I'm in academe. I'd also look at tunics, and I have a really really long black cardigan I picked up at Escada ages ago - straight, unadorned, goes down to mid-thigh and looks fabulous.

Thank you! I’ll start looking at blazers, wish tailoring was cheaper 😞

Some smart black trousers- like this
Boob and tummy friendly tops like these 1 2 3 4
With a fitted blazer or similar jacket.
You don't need a tailor if you get a style that suits you and the right size- try a lot on!

Definitely dresses, I find them the most comfortable as my waist is bigger compared to the rest of me. Details above the waist like a v-neck are good as they draw the eye away from the middle, I like wide sleeves too I think they also draw the eye away from my middle. If I wear trousers I find floaty wide leg cropped ones are good as they seem to balance out proportions.

Same issue here!

Starting a new job from a role that came with a uniform. Going into a really varied position - needs to be comfortable as elements of working with public/sitting on floor, also suitable for meetings/office working

5ft 7, huge boobs, apple shaped and not bad legs. Love the look of wide fit trousers but no idea where to go with tops . Love blazers, thinking I might get a couple of bright ones.

I've been trawling the shops hoping for inspiration! I hate my current uniform, but at least I don't have to think about what to wear!

I wear wrap dresses or any dress that has an under bust seam, mostly midi length with ankle boots. Anything where the seam is any lower than under bust just accentuates my tummy.

Well cut shirt dresses are worth a look, so I'm afraid a lot of trying on is inevitable - you want something that skims your tummy and isn't too voluminous as that makes it look as if you've got even more to hide than you have! I've bought some nice smart ones from Cos in the past. With trousers, I find that anything wide-legged doesn't work for me as the waistband needs to fit around my widest part, and that results in masses of surplus material. So, something straight legged with a forgiving waistband is best - Uniqlo do some nice ones -and I've also had some good results with smart black jean-cut trousers from M&S.

www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.puff-sleeve-midi-dress-black.1060860002.html

I’ve been wearing this black dress OP to compliments, similar to you, weight gain all on belly and corporate office. It skims the body but the structure at sleeves and style stops it looking slouchy and looks smart. I tried one of Cos dresses a
fitted at waist and would have needed to go another two sizes up (which would drown everywhere else). The Cos gathered dress which was sell out completely swamped me and looked like a hospital gown on me.

Watching with interest as I really need more than one dress! Like @Shakeitshakeitbaby , I’ve been looking at dresses that are loose below bust but worry they look too casual. Boden just released this which I might try www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/ruched-bodice-dress-black/sty-d0298-blk

this is reduced and still available in size 16, although I usually avoid jersey because it clings, this looks like the pleats will keep it hanging straight down, rather than embracing belly www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/v-neck-jersey-midi-dress-black/sty-d0074-blk

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1040761002.html

This is the kind of style I tend to go for. Can look casual or smart depending on accessories.

Update: I spent eternity at John Lewis today (at least a couple of hours) and I’ve walked out with a dress from Studio 8 (which I had ordered online and collected today) - very flattering wrap style and a pair of trousers from Whistles - skinny but stretchy, they look really good with a loose top. It’s a start.

I can't tuck in either, it makes me look ridiculous. So I tend to wear smart stretchy tops rather than shirts. I've had nice ones in the past from phase eight and Boden. I also have a sort of "fashion" jacket with three quarter sleeves rather than a formal suit jacket (v cheap from new look I think).

Ooh are you able to link to the products please op @Susurrar ?

@BakeOffRewatch of course!

trousers:
www.johnlewis.com/whistles-super-stretch-trousers-black/p4794506
they really are a fabulous fit, just what I needed to go with my shirts and looser tops

dress:
www.johnlewis.com/studio-8-monica-wrap-dress-black/p4129188?size=24#product
disclaimer: I know it’s polyester, so not great but the fit is fantastic

Oh they’re both really nice.

I would worry about tucking belly (overhanging) into trousers or do they smooth out that area? I used to wear trousers like that but thought belly would not be accommodated.

Thank you for sharing!

Love that dress!

I've got lots of work stuff from Studio 8 - it seems to be a really good fit on me, just wish they did more natural fabrics.

Boden do a silk/viscose mix top that’s good for apple shapes. Sort of skims over the tummy and finishes at hip length so doesn’t need to be tucked in. It used to be called Ravello but I’ve just had a look and there seems to be an updated version called Florence. Lots of colours and would go well with those whistles trousers.

I have a colleague who wears tailored pinafores in grey or navy over a shirt and looks super-smart.

Follow someone like Emily Jane Johnston or Fat Fabulous and 40 on instagram they are both tall at least 5’11’ and size 18 and put together some fab colourful less traditional outfits (not all office appropriate but some outfits and elements might work) but shows you, you can wear bright colours and different shapes and styles as a plus sized tall. A lot from the high street M&S, Yours, Long Tall Sally and 2nd hand from the latter.
Look at a curve leopard print skirt from Never Fully Dressed with a plain top black, neutral or bright top just seen it on someone who is a size 18 and 6ft and it looks very flattering.
Maybe look at Boden (long clothing), Asos goes up to a 20 in tall, Monsoon 22, Next 20 in tall, Karen Millen Curve a lot of the models are 5’10 etc etc etc.

Hi!

Have you tried to use blazers? With skinny jeans? That works for me all the time

good luck! 😉