Smarter work wear- I've forgotten how to do it!

[GatherlyGal]

So new job (hopefully). Although I have been working in an office no one dressed particularly smartly so it was pretty much anything other than jeans. New job is professional services so I need to up my game!

I've thought of Hobbs and Jigsaw and I do like Boden for work trousers but I always struggle with their shirts and tops.

Any ideas? I like the idea of a couple of dresses with boots in the winter but I'm a bit of an apple (getting rounder thanks to peri-menopause) so dresses can be difficult.

Any ideas about where to look? Budget is reasonable but not crazy (£100 ish for a dress). Plus I will need a jacket sometimes so a "goes with everything" blazer would be fab.

Whistles have got a really nice knitted (I know, but it’s really smart and quite fitted) blazer in at the moment. Comes in grey, black and dark green, I think. I was pleasantly surprised at everything they had, actually.

Phase Eight are pretty good for workwear without breaking the bank. Boden are very hit and miss I find, but you get the odd random gem - I've got a really nice bias cut navy skirt that looks really smart and washes well.

I've got a few bits from Jaeger (M & S now sell) too that have been nice quality.

I work in a pretty smart professional services environment. Phase 8, Boden, Hobbs tend to be my go tos for work dresses. Whistles also good for blouses and sometimes Zara. Mango actually do some nice blazers! Not into it myself but a colleague gets everything from Next and always looks good.

I work in professional services. A lot of the middle aged women (most of my team, inc me) just go for smart t shirts or thin knit jumpers with trousers or skirts and use jewellery to dress it up a bit. I haven't seen a blazer on the team yet, but sometimes it can give you a boost, can't it? A couple wear button up shirts, which looks nice, but it can be hard to find tailored clothing like that that works with an apple shape.

Knit dresses are also popular, but you'd want a good cut or it might accentuate your tummy and make you self conscious.

I'd forgotten about Phase 8. Also I like Whistles although I've found their quality a bit crap lately.

@ABrotherWhoLooksLikeHellMugYou I cannot do smart shirts at all. Big E cups plus the belly make shirts impossible. Thinner jumper plus jewellery is a good call.

Thanks all