Smart casual outfit - help! (Plus size)

[clothesintervention]

Style and beauty, I am in desperate need of your help!

I've started a new job where I need to go to a lot of client meetings. It's in a creative industry, so they don't expect me to be office-smart, more smart casual.

I have tried to get some nice new clothes and I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but I never look "put together" like my colleagues seem to!

I think maybe I'm doing the shoes all wrong, for a start, but I can't wear a high heel (and flats are best if possible) as there's sometimes a fair bit of walking involved between meetings.

Can anyone help me find a nice outfit so I can feel good about what I'm wearing.

I'm size 24 with a spare tyre I want to hide, so can't do outfits with waists or tops that aren't longline or tunics. Dresses are easier, but what should I wear with then?

Thanks :)

Hopeful bump!

For footwear can you get away with smart trainers?

What about longline top with wide legged trousers?

I know what you mean about not feeling "put together" - I think a capsule wardrobe of 3 colours (that suit you) would probably help here too.

These?

Yes, I think so.

I'm not sure tbh! It's out of my comfort zone, but maybe that's the point and I need to push myself there!

I like the black one better, but I don't like wearing shoes that show off my toes except on special occaisions and I'm not sure about sleeveless (fat top of arms), and it'd need to be a little longer to cover my spare tyre.

Do I sound horribly picky? Sorry if so!

No worries!

I'm a similar size and generally go for wide leg trousers and loose tops (cotton/linen shirts). H&M is a good place for these tops.

Or you could try something like this - I have a couple in different colours.

I tend to wear smart/funky trainers with both.

But I definitely think that if you try to build a work wardrobe with 3-4 colours (including shoes/bag) you'll look put together as most things will go together.

Next has some nice dresses. You could wear them with Vejas (I like the velcro ones, Recife) or Pretty Ballerina flats or chunky flat sandals
https://www.next.co.uk/style/su007050/n44778#n44778
https://www.next.co.uk/style/st916639/894218#894218
https://www.next.co.uk/style/st845962/203035#203035
https://www.russellandbromley.co.uk/deluxe/241694?gclid=Cj0KCQjw1_SkBhDwARIsANbGpFvBO09cCeYWj1bspUArm6t3V6xOgf-eqNtB2E3fQNI_koC3ZG8YuS0aAgmyEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su001759/775714#775714

if you can spend a bit more you could look at Marina Rinaldi
https://gb.marinarinaldi.com/p-5222283004079-dedurre-white?_gl=18jo2qw_upMQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1_SkBhDwARIsANbGpFsIC-4cDX9GoYQwVgoB-_XfPjH_f7xKC7q8G7LI84EPDWiWLx6MZhEaAot1EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://gb.marinarinaldi.com/p-5132233004084-realta-white?_gl=1azx87z*_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1_SkBhDwARIsANbGpFtcE0mVE0GW0WBc1BNwZockr5is3n4BXU3o5KRSZIwaxNGHDP7eTXEaAncyEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have lots of things that general shape!

What do you wear on your legs with them?

What trainers would you recommend?

Thanks for your suggestions 😚

I have trainers similar to this

If it's warm like it has been, I don't cover my legs, but otherwise leggings/tights

Ha! Of course I like the expensive ones! Can't afford them, though.

Any ideas where I can buy nice cropped trousers this length or shorter, that don't cost over £100?

The top's really nice too.

Ooh, they're great!

I live in these dresses - very good at hiding spare tire! and so easy to wear in summer. They work well with the kind of Nike trainers someone posted earlier. https://www.monki.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/product.grandpa-collar-dress-black.1036961010.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw1_SkBhDwARIsANbGpFvXPcLWamEojOJMclvPQb_4D53z6mlrv4gSHcCQbRIyr9m5K9JuB-oaAj88EALw_wcB

OP if you don't know her check out I'm just me Marleen on YouTube . She's so good at putting outfits together and put up links to the clothes. I don't know her at all just that she has really helped me find a style and try things I wouldn't normally go for

PS she has just done a capsule summer wardrobe if you check out her last few vids. And she can't wear heels

Any ideas where I can buy nice cropped trousers this length or shorter, that don't cost over £100?

Roman have loads of cropped trousers in different colours with some stretch.

Laceless trainers can sometimes look a bit smarter than standard trainers, whilst being as comfortable.

If you want to push the boat out - Russell & Bromley have some lovely ones here, or if you're being more economical, Sainsbury's have similar.

Any ideas where I can buy nice cropped trousers this length or shorter, that don't cost over £100?

Lands End or Cotton Traders are good for that sort of thing

They do, and their ads have been stalking me round the internet for weeks since I clicked on them, wanting a pair just like that.

However they only do up to a size 22 and I need a 24

If you know anywhere that does that in a 24, that would be amazing!

That black and white monki dress a pp linked to is fantastic! If someone turned up in that to a meeting I would think they were really funky. It’s only £40 and you could accessorise it easily. I’d get a couple of the other colours too.

There's some lovely linen style ones in Matalan at the moment

Shein could be your friend op. I know not everyone is in favour but it's been great for me knowing everything I order will definitely fit. Order by measurement not by size and it will fit. They you just have to get a bit choosy and order the more classy items. Returns are simple and refunds come very quick. If your finding it hard to get things that fit I'd definitely recommend having a go. Did you check out my YouTube recommendation yet. She gets a lot of stuff on shein and looks lovely

Don't forget Taking Shape, they have some more unusual styles and good basics.

How do you feel about wearing dresses? I think it’s easier to look and feel more put together as such wearing dresses and you don’t have to worry about matching things up. Would Converse be an option footwear wise? I have a couple of pairs of actual Converse and then different colours of the Primark canvas shoes that are cheap enough to buy.