Professional wear on a tight budget

[NCembarassed]

Help me S&B!

I'm 5'7", apple shaped, and an 18/20.

Currently working as support staff in a school, so tend to live in leggings and tunics. Yoga pants/trousers and tops when it's colder.

I'm hoping to retrain, and am told I need to "look professional". I don't want to wear suits though. I do prefer to be covered up (but polo necks are uncomfortable). Also disabled, so can only wear flats.

I need ideas for style. Currently I mostly shop for clothes in Poundland and High Street sales, as it's what I can afford.

My confidence on what suits me is through the floor.

These sound like normal office jobs and a lot of people just buy office wear from M&S or Next, usually the ubiquitous black or navy trousers and a blouse of which both shops have loads, though many people just wear what is known as smart casual.

That’s true, @ZolaBudd - but the OP has said she doesn’t normally wear what one might call office clothes, and she has been specifically told that she needs to smarten up ‘look professional’. She wants to know where to start with that. No one’s saying she should buy a ball gown.

But she’s been told she needs to smarten up for a range of three possible jobs that could be anything

Although I agree, nobody should ever wear leggings outside the house, unless they’re going to the gym

Perhaps you could link some suggestions for the OP to look at, @ZolaBudd?

I'd start in M&S with a black jersey dress, some black trousers and a black jumper/cardigan and work from there.

I’d do Vinted. But I’d find out what the job is first 😂

If it wasn't something I generally bought I probably first go into a large store to try on lots to see what fitted and suited me before buying online when things may have to be returned

I would only buy from EBay or Vinted with brands I was familiar with so I didn't have to faff about returning

I was in H&M yoday and there was loads of smart office wear. I bought a pale pink silky blouse for £15.99.

I agree that H&M, Sainsbury's, charity shops and Vinted are all good sources though the OP will have more limited choice in charity shops for sizes 18-20

The immediate key is to ditch the leggings. Decide whether you want to go for dresses or trousers and go from there.

You could also try looking at SmartWorks - it’s a charity that offers free coaching and professional ‘dressing’ for women looking to return to work.

There’s one in Leeds, and they have a dozen or so outlets nationwide. Definitely worth checking out!

I thought of Smart Works but assumed the OP wouldn’t be eligible as she is already employed, not looking for a job, but training, and hasn’t indicated (though it may be the case) that there is an institution that would refer her to them.

It might be helpful, @NCembarassed, if you could indicate the role of the person who advised that you need to upgrade your work wardrobe. And what your immediate goal is - education / training or a new job.

Both the trainee SLT and trainee mortgage advisor roles I've looked at require business dress according to a) the lecturers and b) HR.

I do have 'v.old' IT qualifications, but am considering an apprenticeship.

The indecision is currently down to a) lack of school hol childcare - which is why I currently work in a school; b) finances; and c) a forced house move next year.

In my current role, our HR policy states "casual business dress". I feel a bit scruffy compared to my peers, and feel I'm overlooked/not taken seriously. Even if that isn't down to clothes, looking better will improve my confidence.

I've bought some fabulous shoes from Vinted.

Rupali Online (who I've bought from before) do gorgeous tunics and tops in my size AND budget, so I've bought several. I have problems with polyester when I get hot, and they have many Indian cotton options.
One of the tops is this one and it is beautifully made.

I thought I could wear plain black trousers, so bought a cheap pair in Peacocks. Truthfully they don't look great, but were at the edge of my budget. However, I was a 24! Not worn yet, as it's so hot, and will look for some more forgiving fabrics on Vinted. I looked at a lovely M&S pair before Peacocks, but not in my size and £50! Where I usually shop, that would get me outfits for self, children and a little left over. Hopefully they'll come up secondhand somewhere.

Out of interest, who has told you that you need to 'look professional' if you haven't even decided what to retrain in yet?

Ok … But that Rupali top really is just a tunic. And the sleeve length probably isn’t flattering.

Honestly, if you want to look different / more businesslike, you need to not buy the same things you’ve bought before.