Emergency - Size 14 Work Wear

[pateandbrie]

Evening all, I've spent the last hour frantically googling and getting nowhere and then it just occurred to me that I have all the people that will know what to do, right here in my phone!

I am quite senior in my job (professional services, think finance, law etc) and on the cusp of partnership. I am also size 14, apple shaped, perimenopausal, with an underactive thyroid and a face which my hairdresser described as 'rotund' 😫

My problem is that unexpectedly I'm having to go to our head office for two days next week. I have a hybrid work pattern usually, and even on the days that I go in to my local office I'm pretty casual (jeans and a decent top). But I know that in the head office they are more formal; I also need to make a good impression because it's important for the aforementioned progression. Maybe not as
much as a suit but a good dress, or a really
good top that I could wear with black trousers.

I need two outfits as I'm there for two days, I have access to most shops for in person shopping, collection etc, and could budget about £100 per outfit. PLEASE help!! And extra special bonus points for anything that remotely flatters/hides the big apple tummy 🍎

I’m your exact shape OP. Get a lot of workwear from John Lewis, M+S and also live unlimited https://liveunlimitedlondon.com/collections/dresses

I was in a similar dilemma but larger sized 18 months ago.

I went into Hobbs and got a dress with a nice jacket over it for interview and now use that jacket over M&S trousers (straight leg with elastic on back of waist - still in store I just can't find the exact ones) and either Lands End (online so not by Mon) plain tops or M&S boatneck cotton tops in plain colours.

So if you have black trousers, get a good plain black top and a coloured jacket, and a silk top the same colour as jacket for day 2. Or a navy trousers and navy or matching top; or a dress (Hobbs have good options).

5ft5 - so very very average!

You are all WONDERFUL and I'm compiling a list of things now. I'm doing an emergency dash to a retail park tomorrow that has M&S Next and Matalan and am feeling v inspired now that i might actually find something, also bookmarking other ideas from John Lewis Sosander etc as sadly I think this may be the first of many times I have to do this!

Wide legged trousers and a shirt/blouse

Find a jacket that work - it can be open rather than buttoned. And size up rather than fitting too tightly - if a 16 looks good, get that not the 14 that looks squishy.

I am a size 18/20 solicitor in my late 20s. I shop at Sainsbury's, M&S, H&M, Hobbs, Phase Eight. It’s a struggle being a bigger size and dressing professionally. Don’t get me started on shoes 😅

Hi. I have the same figure as you (but i am shorter) and same kind of professional job.
I know it’s beyond your budget but might be worth a couple of investment pieces:
fit and flare dresses from me and em:
https://www.meandem.com/dresses/short-dresses
also the treeca pull on trousers from Theory (in good crepe) plus the matching suit jacket and a silk blouse.
https://uk.theory.com/?lang=en_GB
Both shops do good discounts for first orders plus good sales too.

Do you have time to get a personal shopper appointment at John Lewis? This is what a friend does when she needs something smarter for work.

Do you have a link to this? Sounds very useful and good for those of us with shorter arms! (The blazer that is)

@Lovemycat2023 it is this: https://www.marksandspencer.com/double-breasted-blazer/p/clp60434218?intid=mobileappppdpshare

I have the dancing leopard dove dress in several styles. Wear with heels and a blazer, if you need one. So flattering!

If you look at Kate Middleton recently she had worn some nice blazer and trousers outfits, I would imagine autograph do similar, you can also book a personal shopper in large M and S

Just jumping on to say that the M&S blazer being recommended by others is the best investment I've made for a long time. I have 2 and am wearing them constantly.

If at size 14 your hairdresser is calling your face 'rotund' then change your hairdresser!
I'm size 16-18 at present due to meds so my face is actually a bit rounder than usual, can't wait to slim down to size 14.

I'm sure you will look great in your new workwear!

Can't really help with ideas as I'm rubbish at buying smart clothes; I just bought a lovely smart black boucle blazer for my mum's funeral from River Island £65 which I thought looked ok and my sister said looked funny as the sleeves were far too long. So it's going back.
Having said that I did go in Primark today & buy a nice pink blouse for £6 in the sale well made with covered buttons. Wore it over a cami top with jeans this evening but it would well with black trousers or a skirt in the office.
There were lots more workwear type items in Primark that looked good including blazers with ruched sleeves, similar to some in River Island but a fraction of the cost!

Most senior professional jobs of the kind the OP has, you couldn’t get away with fast fashion/Primarni for the office. It’s not that they would sack you or say anything but you would stick out like a sore thumb. I’d also say the same for TU, Matalan and other supermarkets

This is a very nice shirt OP. I'm in the same industry and wore it this week tucked into wide leg trousers.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/satin-collared-long-sleeve-shirt/p/clp60552853?intid=mobileappppdpshare

You'd need a bigger budget for Hobbs but they are my go to for very corporate wear. M&S tend to provide anything a bit more casual.

That's a good call. I am a partner in a large law firm and be impressed at someone turning up in one of those dresses.

Oh goodness no. I obviously wouldn't not promote someone just because they wore that dress, but , it really wouldn't impress me.

Yes- that's on the right track too.

I agree for senior positions. For High Street brands I’d say more Hobbs, Mint Velvet, Phase Eight for example. Although pleasantly surprised with the M&S links that people have posted, I think they’d be a good bet.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Cos.

Cos 1
Cos 2
Cos 3
Cos 4

London Sahara has a lot of nice dresses that copes well with large boobs etc.

Hobbs sale makes their dresses jus twisting budget. I have this for meetings, court etc:

https://www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-abi-tailored-dress-navy/p109111455

Opt for comfort too- nothing too sweaty and heavy, I find visits to other offices require a lot of traipsing about in an often stuffy atmosphere.

I’d go for a smart semi structured dress, tights, light blazer and comfy shoes. Lots of good ideas in the links. If the dress has long sleeves I’d ditch the blazer and just wear a trench coat for travelling or whatever you have that’s light.