Stylish plus size clothes for work?

[wheredidIleavemystyle]

I've just got a new job, and for the first time since before lockdown I'm going to be out from behind a computer screen and actually meeting real human beings.

No more zoom culture! PJs with a smart top chucked on isn't going to cut it, any more, is it?!

I've also put on loads of weight over lockdown, I'm a size 24. And really struggling to find shops with clothes I like.

There's literally nothing in my town that stocks my size (except the supermarkets) so it'd need to be online.

Please help, Style and Beauty queens!! What are people wearing to work these days?

Oh, I should probably say the people I will be working with are creative or practical types - think designers, photographers, arts and crafts people, also students.

So it's not really businessey. But I've noticed the staff I've met so far seem to look effortlessly put together. Smart casual, but a very stylish smart casual if that makes sense?

I have NO idea where to start!

Also, I am basically round, so I can't have anything with any waist at all! Tops need to be long-length, tunics or dresses to hide my spare tire.

Or tyre, even.

I like the drop pocket dresses from simply be. Their website is worth a look and they do free returns.

Thanks, I'll have a look. (I do like a dress with pockets :) )

Sorry, got totally mixed up there! They are drape pocket dresses from Yours, who also do free returns.

Shein do some lovely clothes in their curve collection. I've had a few things from them.

You don’t mention your budget so these may be too £££ but the shape should work gb.marinarinaldi.com/sale/woman-clothing-plus-size/dresses

Thanks both, I'll have a look.

Congratulations on the new job! Have a look at the Taking Shape website for something a bit different and smart without being formal. It's not cheap but often has sales. The sizes are very generous so you may need a size down from usual. The quality is good, Ive been wearing some favourite pieces for years.

I am a size 22 and work in an office. I always wear dresses to work - for ease (fewer decisions) and because I think they suit me better.

I used to buy a lot from Navabi but they don’t deliver to the U.K. any more (Brexit).

I buy a lot from John Lewis (Phase 8, another brand I can’t remember the name of). Marina Rinaldi as previously posted has some nice (usually glamorous) clothes. Ralph Lauren has a good Curve range (expensive but some bargains in the sale if you look out). SeaSalt is worth a look. Next online sell lots of ranges of clothes in all sizes.

it’s a shame there’s not much in the High Street as you really need to try stuff on to sea if it suits. But there is a lot online.

www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/women/brands/lauren-curve/20102

Live Unlimited is the brand available from John Lewis I have a lot of clothes from

I haven’t heard of Taking Shape before. I will definitely check them out.

I recently bought a couple of tops for work from M&S in the autograph range.

I don't know your budget but Toast should be having a sale in September. It's worth going in to a shop if you can before the sale so you can get a sense of your size as most people find them very, very oversized, and the brand suits "think designers, photographers, arts and crafts people, also students."

PS, a lot of folks aren't overly excited about the current stock, but their sales always have previous seasons, so it should be posible to pick up a few basics.

I think you need to shop online to get nice stuff in plus sizes. I like simply be, and ASOS.

I'll keep an eye on Ralph Lauren. I have a RL winger coatigan that I got from TK Maxx for about £50 and I love it.

However almost everything on that page I couldn't wear :(

I can't wear a simple shirt or top tucked in because of my spare tyre, it definitely needs hidden!

Actually, come to mention it, I couldn't wear it not tucked in either - standard shirts or other tips just aren't long enough for me, they need to be longline.

Nor can I wear any dress with a hint of a waist, it needs to come out from under the bust (e.g. empire line) or be loose fitting.

But hopefully in they might have something that suits my shape at some point, I'll check back...

I feel like I'm almost swearing to say this, given the heat right now, but I do love a nice jumper dress!

Thanks! And I don't think I've ever heard of them, I'll check them out.

When I was working I used JD Williams a lot.

My work uniform was black linen trousers and an array of shirts / tops and the occasional jacket.

Also go on ebay and look at 'mother of the bride' for some bargains.

maybe try Ulla Popken www.ullapopken.co.uk/en/, I’ve only bought t-shirts so far but good quality at a fair price

Some good suggestions here, thanks everyone.

I've booked a stylist session with John Lewis this afternoon, hoping they can help!

I wanted to do it instore but I found they only do up to size 18 for the real life sessions :(

So, online it is...

I'm enjoying looking at Ulla Popken, thanks @LostItLinda

They have lots of things that are good for hiding spare tyres! Like these - but, are they smart / stylish enough for work? (It's smart casual, rather than businessy).

What would you put them with?

(I would need to wear the printed shirt with another layer underneath as it's not longline - to obscure my massive tummy).

With tops I tend to go for wide leg trousers, I got these tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Black-Crinkle-Wide-Leg-Trouser-/139992542-Black?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct= as I hate / don’t do ironing. However some of the dresses in the new section of ulla popken are worn with narrow trousers www.ullapopken.co.uk/en/dresses/more-dresses/matte-jersey-empire-tunic-a-line-pocket-dress/p/806373620-1128 & I really like that look so will scroll through & see if I can find them!