Whole new wardrobe

[Freshstarts22]

I’m so stuck. I need all new clothes due to a career change.
I have been reading threads and lots of talk of boots, dresses, skirts. I own none of these.

My wardrobe consists of baggy trousers and t shirts, occasionally a hoodie. I own jeans but absolutely can’t stand the feel of them, plus can’t wear them to work.

I don’t know where to begin, I’m now overweight, I’m conscious about what I look like and I also hate tight or fitted clothes. I have some issues with feeling restricted in clothes and sensory issues. I run hot too so tend to avoid jumpers and things that sit tight around the arms as I sweat.

Id love some nice boots but don’t own a single item of clothing that I could wear boots with. I only wear trainers.

I need some staple outfits for work that I can build on. Please help. Trousers are what I struggle with the most. Something that isn’t leggings, jeans or tracksuits but not completely formal work trousers.

What is your new career and is there a dress code?

Can you say more about what you look like OP, so we can help with what shapes and colours might suit you?

Do they have a dress code? I wear ironed black jeans to work quite often, with a nice shirt or blouse. Smart enough but still
comfy

OP I was similar. I went to a massive Sainsburys with a friend and bought 3 work outfits in the summer and some shoes (I work 3 days a week and they fit with each other so I could make lots of outfits). Try out some different looks before you go the whole hog.

of course you could go to a department store, not a supermarket but I was aware of my budget!

I recently updated the capsule work wardrobe for winter too. Just need to find some better shoes

Could you try stitch fix or similar?

John Lewis have a free personal stylist app x

You sound a bit like me. I feek like a fish out of water in anything too formal or tailored, I get hot and sweaty easily and I'm really particular about the feel of fabrics. I can't wear acrylic/nylon/polyester, or wool.

For work (fairly formal office) I like midi dresses in jersey cotton or viscose, with chunky ankle boots and a cardigan or soft jersey blazer. I recently bought this and love it:
www.marksandspencer.com/printed-tie-waist-midi-shirt-dress/p/clp60566090?color=GREENMIX&prevPage=srp

I really like Hobbs for dresses too, pricier but I've had some great ones from Ebay and Vinted.

I am probably not in a position to give advise and I struggle with clothes shopping.
However, there was a very inspirational thread on here a long time ago that sort of stuck with me.
The op had a spreadsheet and bought one item at a time I think with a budget for each item.
Maybe you could write a list of what you need and take it shopping with you. Maybe even concentrating on one or two things at a time.
Ie.
Tesco and sainsbury tomoro. Look for black trousers and a blouse.
If you are doing well look for boots and cardigan.
Not sure if that would be helpful.
Alternatively maybe you doing this online on somewhere like the John Lewis website.

I've had some good thick jersey trousers that are comfy, but not restrictive to wear. I got them from H&M, but seen similar in Sainsburys.

I wear them with a stretchy blazer/jacket, then loose-fitting jersey tops.

I feel your pain. It's horrible to have to spend money on clothes when you don't know what suits you.

Absolutely do a free John Lewis personal style appointment.

Set yourself an annual budget for 'work clothes' and save up for some colour and style analysis, which will pay for its self over time by helping you avoid mistakes.

Ask around especially anyone whose look you admire. I've been lucky with https://www.houseofcolour.co.uk though know great consultants who work with http://www.colourmebeautiful.co.uk

I currently use a lady who can work with you online. PM me if you would be interested. All the best.

My best tip is to not worry to much about having a direct outfit for every day. I copy Barack Obama who in office always wore a blue suit because it saved him one decision every day when he had loads of decisions to make. Hardly anyone ever notices what you are actually wearing.

https://bemorewithless.com/project-333/

Personally I'd go charity shopping in the nearest upmarket town buy a variety of stuff and then look out for brands/styles that you like as a result

Vinted!

I hate restrictive clothing too
I bought these last week , a pair of black then went back for a navy pair

They team up well with chunky loafers or smart trainers. Dress up or down!
I love supermarket clothes but they dont seem to have a changing room now
Write a list what you need but look online and pinterest for capsule wardrobe- loads of ideas there x

I’m a late adopter of The Blouse. Lots of lovely striking prints out this year, which can be matched with trousers. Although it gets bad press on Mumsnet, your local Next probably has a huge range of smart navy/black/beige/grey work trousers to try on. I go for ankle length. Brogues are everywhere, and are smart and comfortable. If you can stretch the budget to a cashmere jumper in a neutral shade, that can look and feel great.

I’m menopausal and prone to hot flushes, so blouses with button fronts are great. Can’t wear high necks or jackets any more. Shirt dresses are very forgiving with black tights and heeled boots. I got a black and white print one in Zara today.

What type of trousers do you currently wear? That might help pinpoint to others what sensory issues to avoid. Are they a stretchy waist or a button waist? Are they rough to touch or smooth, cotton or linen or jersey? Slim leg, straight, wide? Finish at your ankles or right down to your shoes?

H&M have these wide leg trousers in, they have an elasticated panel in at the back of the waist so comfy, they aren't tight on the thighs, but they feel like school trousers used to, so if it's fit that bothers you but not material, they might work.
www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1078088009.html

For soft trousers, these look okay, but more fitted
www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-straight-leg-trousers-with-stretch/p/clp60506862?color=BLACK

I also cannot bear to feel bound up in my clothes. This is our time as a lot of trends are over sized. Find a trousers shape you like and get a few pairs if you find something you're really comfortable wearing. Personally i stick to natural fibers, cotton or wool, and I like wide leg tapered cropped trousers the best.

@Bigslippers - can I ask what those trousers are called please? Searching for black trousers on Marks website takes ages!

I recommend seeing a personal stylist at John Lewis. The one I have seen a few times is really helpful, not pushy at all, and helps with suggestions about how to make each item work in multiple outfits (asking if you have things at home already, not just suggesting buying more things).

She stuck to my budget, helped me explore styles I would never have chosen for myself off the rails, and listened to my thoughts/concerns/preferences.

There were a few items that I liked but wasn't sure I had the confidence to pull off. She suggested buying them but leaving the labels on and returning them if I hadn't worn them in a month. Some of those items got worn, and some went back!

Fabulous service. I'd like to go back again!

I’d initially get a pair of plain trousers like these in whichever colour you like best as they’re all quite neutral.
www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-wide-leg-trousers-with-stretch/p/clp60506499#intid=carousel_FUNH_AT_RECENT_END_FIND-PLP_18_8

a couple of cotton blouses or shirts like this:
www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-rich-printed-long-sleeve-blouse/p/clp60565838?color=BLACKMIX&prevPage=srp

www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-striped-collared-long-sleeve-shirt/p/clp60506230?color=BLUEMIX&prevPage=srp

www.marksandspencer.com/printed-collared-long-sleeve-shirt/p/clp60549708?color=NAVYMIX#intid=carousel_FUNH_AT_PHOENIX-SIMILAR_TOP_PDP_16_3:ec5fd90d-f5a9-4aef-b009-fccb0107105b

A midi dress like this

www.marksandspencer.com/printed-tie-waist-midi-shirt-dress/p/clp60566090?color=GREENMIX&prevPage=srp

and sone chunky boots like this:

www.marksandspencer.com/chunky-chelsea-cleated-ankle-boots/p/clp60505645?color=BLACK&prevPage=srp

Or these

www.marksandspencer.com/chelsea-flat-ankle-boots/p/clp60505749?color=BLACK&prevPage=srp

That should give you 3 outfits to rotate initially and see how you feel in them. Then add a pair of trousers, another dress etc depending on how it goes. I wouldn’t buy an entire wardrobe initially as you may end up with lots of stuff you don’t wear. Start small and add gradually. Good luck!

@N0tfinished Sorry I should have added the description- I’ve attached pic
I haven’t shopped in Marks for years but I was seriously impressed with their trousers, jeans and coats
The changing rooms were bliss and it was such a change being able to put clothes on that actually fit in the right places

The dress code I think will be smart casual, but no jeans or trainers.

I was looking at the m&s trousers that someone linked earlier, they look good. I’ll have to go there, I hate ordering online because I like to feel materials. Hopefully the changing rooms won’t be busy like other shops too.

@Workawayxx Thank you, will look at all these now. Definitely don’t have the money to buy too much at once anyway.

@anon2022anon I currently wear what I think are described as joggers but they are stretchy elasticated things. I own 3 pairs and it’s pretty much all I wear. Definitely not suitable for new job.

Another issue is socks! A lot of trousers are ankle grazers and I really want some loafers but people seem to wear these without socks. I’m a nightmare with shoes and get blisters so I’m not sure how I’ll be able to wear them.
like I said, I only own trainers and ugg boots currently. I even stick to the same trainers every time so I don’t get blisters.

Not trendy but you could wear pop socks. If you get boots, you can just wear socks. M&S do seam free socks, they are lovely.

Easily solved - buy pop socks (the ones that stop below the knee).

They are available in black and nude so look great with trousers

once you have trousers and shoes/boots sorted everything else will be easy to find.