Professional NOT corporate capsule wardrobe

[Squishedpickle]

Hi! I'm trying to create a capsule wardrobe for a new job and have absolutely no idea where to begin! Please can anyone help?

My budget is fairly slender, though I will be happy to buy more stuff once I am properly earning again. I need to have a few outfits to get going with though.

The brief is professional but not at all corporate. I need to look competent and put together, but nothing too out there or revealing clothes. I'm a size 16 hourglass shape. No jeans allowed.

Please help me with your recommendations as I am clueless! I have not been working for the last 3 years so don't even have any basics to build from.

Thank you!

I like tesco for budget stuff (maybe unbelievable).

I got a pair of dark green chinos recently. I wear with a leopard print t shirt (from hush but could get cheaper), for work a pair of brown flats (loafers or brogues) . Add a nice jacket and you have a put together look. Currently wearing this with a denim jacket also from tesco but they had a nice cream jacket in I was considering going back for to wear with different blouse/top for work.

I'm doing khaki/animal print/ light pink/ browns/ denim at the moment but black with big clumpy black boots or shoes looks good for winter. John Lewis have anyday which is a good budget range with a modern look. I have my eye on black wide leg pants (wear with nice luxe t-shirt and my new denim jacket)

I wear tailored high-waisted linen trousers with a fitted-ish T-shirt, culottes with a blouse/shirt tucked in, jersey t-shirt or elongated vest dresses with a blazer, cropped boxy v- neck cardigans (v useful for hourglass as doesn’t hide waist, goes with all of the above), chunky sandals.

Thanks!

H&M have got some lovely coordinated ‘work’ wear in at the moment in muted pinks, greens, greys and navys. They all go together so 3 tops and 3 trousers or skirts would make for a nice easy capsule wardrobe.

Thank you so much @ShandaLear that's really helpful!