Budget capsule work wardrobe (office job)

[AnonNameChange45]

I'm changing jobs in a couple of weeks and need office wear. My current job has a uniform so my navy trouser suit and shift dress from that will work, but thinking I need to look less uniform-y too. Mostly I'll be seeing people on Teams so nice tops/blouses, but first few weeks I'm office based to get to know everyone and I will be out in various offices as part of my role. Limited budget...I'm a supermarket type budget shopper but need to look smart and professional. I will have a bit more money when I get my first pay check end of March!
I'm 5'3 size 16, nice ish legs, big belly and quite booby. Help me! Would appreciate links or a little checklist of items to buy. Shoes help too please 🙏

What other colours suit you? I'd pick out two more (in addition to navy) then buy;

• wide leg trousers
• cardigan
• jacket in a non-navy colour
• 3-4 tops
• brogues/loafers or similar

I like these
red shirt
turquoise blazer
animal print loafers

I’d aim for 3 shirts/blouses (5 if your budget will stretch) in viscose or thin flowy cotton. I always go for a small print because it’s much more forgiving of any accidental stains and look good for longer because any colour change around the cuffs etc is less obvious. Prints will also help break up the uniform vibe.
Then add one more basic bottom half. Either another pair of trousers or a skirt. Skirt could be a print as long as you have some shirt that would go without clashing.
Plus one more jacket/blazer now or after you’re first pay.
A couple of thin jumpers if you’ll need them for warmth. Skip if you don’t.
Pick everything in colours that go with the navy items you already own. Whatever combo you like. Pick and brown would go if that suits you style and wouldn’t look too uniform like.
Shoes I’d go for brown leather with that colour palette. Whatever style suits you and what you’re doing in a day (commute, walking onsite etc). Could be ankle boots, loafers, or brogues.

I’d try and find some shirt dresses which will be great for Teams and any days on premises.

If you go the blouse route then head to some charity shops and see if there is anything there. Your budget will go further.

I have several patterned shirts (similar to this), a jersey blazer, wide leg trousers similar to these, ankle grazer trousers and a couple of past season midi shirt dresses similar to this. Also some dark straight leg jeans.

Shoes are black patent loafers (bought in the Next sale last year) or tan brogues (bought from Clarks several years ago).

Thank you baddreamer1

I've added the shirt in ochre (Not a fan of the red) and the shoes to my basket. Love the shoes. Will they go with black and navy? I'm not very good at this!

Thank you. I did have some oxblood brogues, they'd work with most things right? I need to check loft in case I charity shopped them.

I've seen some viscose/polyester shirts on Shein, which may be a good start...

Does these types look ok? i'm nervous of buttons popping open!

I have black and navy cardigans.

.

Sorry about huge space. My Samsung phone hates Mumsnet.

Yes, if you like them then they’d be fine for the office.
I personally go for viscose or thin cotton over polyester because I find it more breathable. I avoid pale solid colours because they show up sweat spots horribly and I am a fairly sweaty person. This is one of the reasons I go for prints over block colours. You may be fine with polyester and those colours if you’re not :)
That cut looks good for a larger chest. I have problems with buttons gaping sometimes and I get round it by choosing more generous flowy styles and sometimes sewing up the shirt over the problem area - this works much better than a safety pin and is a permanent solution. Only sew over ten cm or so. You may need to be able to open the top buttons still so you can pull the shirt over your head.
I think ochre and navy go really well together. The oxblood shoes should be fine too, although you might find the ochre shirt and oxblood shoes are a less good match together. It’ll depend on the exact tones.
If you have a good workwear selection in a big supermarket near you I’d wear the trousers and shoes and either try stuff on if that’s an option or a least check out what the colours look like together.

I go for shirts more like this ;
I do appreciate that they’re slightly more expensive that the ones you found and that might be very important at the moment.
global.direct.asda.com/george/women/shirts-blouses/neutral-animal-print-popover-blouse/GEM971051,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C4
global.direct.asda.com/george/women/shirts-blouses/pink-patterned-long-sleeve-shirt/GEM1010063,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C4
I like these too. The pink would look good with navy. It wouldn’t suit my colouring but it might suit you! I like the green and the red but that’s me.
www.marksandspencer.com/floral-notch-neck-popover-blouse/p/clp60580383?color=IVORYMIX#intid=plpnav_pid_pg1pip48g2r6c2

The other thing to consider is whether you would wear them tucked in or not. I buy loose flowy shirts and tuck them into high waisted trousers/shirt. It suits my untoned imperfect but hourglassy shape. If you prefer your shirts untucked then pay attention to the hem length and style.

Another way to shop is to look online for new makes on outlet or special offers, ebay being a good place to do so. Also new items from independent sellers. I had a couple of pairs of black trousers (I live in them) which go everywhere and with everything or black and navy, depends on your taste. M&S do budget tops and I think that plainish ones do well or small patterns. A nice edge to edge cardigan is sort of a jacket until you can afford one. Primark is a good place to top up with cheaper items or Gap. I also haunted charity shops and found some great items there including a lovely bag.

The best spend is on the bottoms and cardigan with cheaper tops. If you have shoes/boots that fit then polish them and they will look good. Costume jewellery or scarf can change an outfit too.

Look on vinted! Shed loads of work wear on there at the moment at very reasonable prices. I usually get cos or whistles dresses.

Before our dress code changed and I started working from home more I found sainsbury did pretty good smart trousers and they come in short length too. Definitely recommend some more flowy tops that could also be layered, I stayed away from shirts as much as possible due to the buttons/boobs issue, it really does depend what you're comfortable in. George at Asda and sainsbury Tu often have some nice tops in and if you can pick up something in the the Next or Phase Eight sale I'd recommend it. M&Co also do some nice dresses and have a sale on currently. Good luck :) if you can tolerate heels a nice comfortable pair of nude heels are great as they go with pretty much everything and if you can find your brogues they'll be great too. I pretty much stay in flats now as I just can't be bothered with heels, and I got some leather ones in M&S that last well and are comfy

I was in a similar situation in September, went from a gym (12 years) to office so one or two outfits would not get me through one week. I had a couple of small splurges at direct.asda.com/george/women/shirts-blouses/D1M1G20C4,default,sc.html?_gl=1awn0ks_ga*YW1wLTdTSVVVTDR6SVdmY0YxWFZEWXA4aVE.
George, for blouses - way better selection online. And a few pairs of cheap and thick leggings from them. Great for tiding me over until I can add the odd nicer peice as I go. H&M also have some fab blouses c£10 go knock ‘em dead babe x

And also for winter, Chelsea boots (I got from leather George and Aldi - as the george ones were too big but didn’t have smaller size) both very very comfy!

and in warmer weather loafers are ideal, m&s has great selection of colours which make me smile:)

My samsung hates mumsnet too! Thought it was just me.

Thanks all. I got a pair of black trousers from Bonmarche and then 3 floaty blouse/tops from Matalan.

I've got my pink and navy uniform cardigans so bought a black edge to edge one too...no buttons and I think looks pretty smart.

Ordered black loafers so I'm all sorted for a good few office days and will see how things go!

Good luck! I recently went back to an office after ten years in a gym environment and am enjoying dressing up a bit more.