Office wear in the heat

[pinkfondu]

Any suggestions, I'm looking to buy a couple of things for work size 18, big boobs but short. Looking really for dresses but not tight smart office ones if that makes sense thank you

Linen and other breathable fabrics are your friend here:

Airism dress from uniqlo: www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/airism-ultra-stretch-sleeveless-dress-457012.html

Linen dress from White Stuff; https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-linen-midi-shirt-dress/p/clp22554920#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r8c3

Linen dress from M&S: https://www.marksandspencer.com/linen-blend-v-neck-tie-waist-midi-tea-dress/p/clp60582973#intid=pid_pg2pip48g4r4c4

Linen dress from Seasalt: https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-linen-v-neck-midi-shirt-dress/p/clp22560410?color=YELLOW#intid=pid_pg2pip48g4r5c4

There are other lovely linen dresses from Jaeger on the M&S site if you want a look, but they're at the spendier end of things.

Oh with big boobs and size 18 (my size) I would not at all be saying those linen dresses with buttons down them are your friend!! No stretch at all for boobs and the length can be very dumpy if you're a bigger size and smaller in height.
I've found the site Stich Fix quite good for them finding recommendations that suit you. You outline what you want and their stylists suggest things. You can return anything not wanted.
Although Lands End can be very old in places I have found their stretch jersey dresses good for bigger boobs. Some of Boden stretch jersey too. Also try Bravissimo clothes.

*stitch fix. Also didn't mean that to sound rude about the previously recommended dresses but as larger boobed woman buttons are my nemesis!! They always gape. And I need fabrics that stretch across the chest.

Bravissimo don’t sell clothes anymore ☹️ their dresses were amazing!

Another vote for jersey. Popsy have some nice stretchy dresses in funky patterns.

So I just bought some new workwear: linen trousers, a linen pencil skirt (MIDI length) several tops in a shape that suits me, two maxi skirts (one pleated,one tiered)- voila a capsule wardrobe. Most of it came form M&S very inexpensively, with some more expensive pieces. I've previously been stuck with dresses, but this enables me to make lots of outfits. I wear a size 16 and am 5'3"

The White Stuff linen shirt dress linked above wouldn't fasten across my boobs even when I sized up and it was too big everywhere else. Reading the reviews, a lot of women had the same issue.

I bought a button through linen mix dress from Apricot that fits across my chest in my actual size! I was amazed!! Shirt dresses are a nightmare with a bigger chest 🙄

As a similar size, I found culottes with a smarter t shirt worked well. I have the Hush ones from last year but I see M&S do some nice ones. Wide legged trousers which you can wear with a smart casual loose top. If you wear a white top or trousers, flesh coloured underwear, not white! Camis are your friend too under tops to hide your bra and make the top hang well.

At the risk of triggering the MNers who are aghast at the sight of feet in the office, I’ve worked in a variety of places and open toed sandals have never been a problem as long as they’re not scruffy and your feet aren’t manky.

It’s not a dress but I recently bought this linen jumpsuit from fatface. It’s available in black or navy and is so comfortable. https://www.fatface.com/women/clothing/jumpsuits-playsuits/aderyn-linen-blend-jumpsuit/978344.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi-7LlaO4_wIVSeztCh1V1Q5TEAQYASABEgJO0vD_BwE

Following for ideas. I'm a SAHM but have lots of formal meetings and am living in cropped linen trousers I have a variety of colours and white tops with a white cami underneath

Also a size 18-20 and short!

When I last worked I in an office we need to wear jumpers in the summer due to the air con. 😱

That would be my perfect temp 😂

Thank you everyone will take a look and let you know how I get on

I’ve been living in next t shirt dresses!

With chub rub shorts underneath!

I bought wide leg jersey trousers ftom M&S. They are very comfortable in the heat.

I've just bought a kimono top from one hundred stars to wear over vest tops and dresses they do longer length ones too

I wore a black cotton t shirt dress today and it doesn't magically make me look size 8 again sadly but I did feel both comfortable and smart in it

Culottes!

I make my own clothes due to all the reasons in your OP and I'm currently living in wafty wrap jumpsuits and faux jumpsuits that I've made by making co-ordinating linen tops to go with linen culottes.

Ah that’s interesting as I bought a non linen shirt dress from white stuff yesterday and went for the larger size and it’s still fairly tight across my chest yet I’m narrow shouldered with fairly small boobs and usually their stuff is too big on the top on me!

Big fan of floaty dresses in the heat which are normally fine in offices too. I have ones from Whistles, Hush, Scamp & Dude, Kemi Telford and John Lewis which all work well.

I go for cotton dresses (with sleeves) and silky shorts pants underneath. Cool and smart. Although I hate the heat I love my summer clothes.

I'm obsessed with these Next linen trousers, I bought them in several colours and they're fab. They seem to be so popular they've mostly sold out online but your local shop will have them:

What footwear are you wearing, are these a huge no no? I have to go into the office 3 times a year and going tomorrow. I think with the temperatures they may be acceptable?

I personally think they’re fine. There seems to be a prevailing opinion on MN that wearing open toed sandals is a huge no-no, but the only rule I’ve ever come across in 30 years of office work is no bare feet and no flip flops.

My only caveat for sandal wearing is that the wearer should have a pedi first! 😀