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Original poster

How to dress for casual office? (Plus sized)

45 replies

Usererror1999 · 27/10/2022 22:09

Starting a new job and will be in the office a few days a week

Just spoken to a woman I know who has just started and she was telling me that the dress code is really casual: usually jeans.

i have no idea what to wear! I rarely wear jeans: usually at work I wear fairly standard office dresses. And then I dress very casually (ie leggings and long t shirts) when at home / taking the dog out / taking the kids out.

to make matter worse, I’m plus sized and just a bit frumpy looking in general. Can anyone give me some idea and inspiration? Photos particularly appreciated

OP posts:
Thread gallery
15
Bigslippers · 27/10/2022 22:21

Firstly congratulations on your new job - how exciting

Secondly don’t worry about your size

I would start with a pair of denim jeans, boots and a few bright tops.. team up with long cardi.

Casual office wear is great as you will wear the clothes in everyday life

How to dress for casual office? (Plus sized)
How to dress for casual office? (Plus sized)
How to dress for casual office? (Plus sized)
How to dress for casual office? (Plus sized)
Original poster
Usererror1999 · 27/10/2022 22:34

Thanks so much! It’s just that I’m so much out my comfort zone dressing casually and being relatively trendy. I love my normal office dresses lol

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 27/10/2022 22:37

Just wear office dresses if thats what you feel most happy in. Who cares if you aren't casually dressed? As long as you feel comfortable.

I have a very relaxed workplace and am plump (and frumpy) and my go-to if I'm in the office (wfh mainly) is a pair of really wide leg black polka dot trousers, white converse and a black thin knit sweater. Comfy, relaxed, but not jeans.

moistmingemist · 27/10/2022 22:38

Go smart first day and then play it by ear. Sometimes I wear jeans and DM's other times I wear dress with tights and shoes. I'm a size 22 53 year old wearing what I want.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 27/10/2022 22:38

Oh, and I sometimes wear black leggings with a dress over (and again, converse). I'm sar at my desk for the most part so honestly couldn't care much less.

Lurkerlot · 27/10/2022 22:39

You can always dress down office dresses by wearing them with leggings and ankle boots

Original poster
Usererror1999 · 27/10/2022 22:42

thanks so much! I have a couple of dresses that could be dressed down. But not many. Is there any way any of you could link me to the polka dot trousers? X

OP posts:
Workyticket · 27/10/2022 22:43

I'm.a chunky 16. I'm living in a selection of these from SimplyBe with Vans or Converse and a blazer or cardigan

How to dress for casual office? (Plus sized)
Original poster
Usererror1999 · 27/10/2022 22:44

That’s actually quite nice! Where do you get blazers from? X

OP posts:
rainydaysandcake · 27/10/2022 22:46

What size are you and what kind of office ?

Original poster
Usererror1999 · 27/10/2022 23:35

Size 18 in tops and dresses, but size 20 in most jeans

OP posts:
Original poster
Usererror1999 · 27/10/2022 23:36

It’s a start up fintech

OP posts:
SpaceOP · 27/10/2022 23:45

How smart are your smart dresses? A friend (infinitely more stylish than me) once told me that always choose to be over dressed rather than risk being underdressed. Some.of.my old.smart work dresses I wear now for less smart clients just with flat shoes, casual cardigans etc. Personally, I think that's fine.

Over time, you can buy more casual dresses if you like. You will find yourself gravitating to them to reflect how other people dress.

I would not swap to jeans if they aren't something you usually wear. And please, no leggings with t shirts for work. If you do want to experiment with trousers, i agree that palazzo pants or some kind of comfortable fit ones would be better.

Original poster
Usererror1999 · 28/10/2022 00:25

@SpaceOP definitely no leggings and t shirts in the workplace! When I say t shirts, I mean t shirt dresses.

most of my dresses are jersey floral type (mostly boden but some from next). My friend suggested wearing these with trainers (ie converse type) or DMs, which I might try.

at the moment when I’m in the office, I’m usually the only woman from our dept in the office, and to be honest, the guys wouldn’t notice or care what I’m wearing at all

i do have a few pairs of smartish jeggings: but I understand that these are now out of fashion. Happy to wear them when out and about with my friends and family, but don’t want to stand out as a middle aged frump at work

OP posts:
daisyjgrey · 28/10/2022 01:56

I bought about four pairs of black wide legged slightly cropped trousers from H&M, plus a black midi dress and I generally wear those with white converse (the dress works with my dr marten Chelsea's as well). You can dress them up or down depending on what you're doing. H&M do good basics and their core range goes to 18, and they have good plus range as well.

Penguinsaregreat · 28/10/2022 06:51

I’d start with wearing your more casual dresses. Seriously I don’t think anyone is going to care that much.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 28/10/2022 07:54

Usererror1999 · 27/10/2022 22:42

thanks so much! I have a couple of dresses that could be dressed down. But not many. Is there any way any of you could link me to the polka dot trousers? X

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/c/women/wide-leg-trousers?INITD=PLP-WWTrousers-WideLeg

They aren't in the sainbury website anymore but lots of other colors/patterns

KirstenBlest · 28/10/2022 08:37

Wear your office dresses. I don't want to wear my not-work clothes at work, although I'll wear jeans on Fridays.

OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 28/10/2022 08:42

Wear your dresses! I have work dresses for 4 reasons
I like them and buying them
They are flattering to my shape
Super easy in the morning as nothing to match
I like having a separate work - home wardrobe

Grab some long cardis to make them a bit more informal and then you do you.

BigusBumus1 · 28/10/2022 08:48

Side stripe trousers are always a greta alternative to jeans withut being as casual as leggings. Cheap from Tu
More expensive from Saint & Sofia

Wear with a matching colour fine knit jumper or a long sleeved white t-shirt with a matching colour short sleeved t-shirt over the top and nice white trainers

NotLactoseFree · 28/10/2022 08:50

T-shirt dresses are probably fine, if you feel comfortable in them and they cover all the relevant "bits". Perhaps start keeping an eye out for something half way between super casual t-shirt dress and super tailored work dress and I'd agree with your friend - leggings and trainers are great for dressing down. As are chunky cardigans at this time of year.

RandomUsernameHere · 28/10/2022 08:50

I'd just wear your normal office clothes you feel comfortable in. I'm sure jeans are not expected, just because some people wear them.

Blondiana · 28/10/2022 08:57

I have big hips and thighs and lean towards dresses + leggings or panty hose + nice shoes as my go-to smart-casual look. An A-line dress will hide any belly. But I am not sure if that's your vibe.

Rainbowshine · 28/10/2022 09:00

I also am plus size (22) and wear a lot of dresses, with tights and smart shoes for when we have meetings or events and then might wear more casual shoes normally. A lot of other people wear more casual clothes but no one says anything. You never know the management might appreciate that someone is trying to look smart and hope the others take note!

PeloFondo · 28/10/2022 09:07

We are smart casual and I'm always the most dressed up BlushGrin but I feel more comfortable like that
Tend to wear dresses or skirts nearly every day, wear what you feel comfy in