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 second wearing a jacket (blazer or suit jacket) with a dress. You can wear the same with multiple dresses if you get them in the same palette.

I am in a similar work environment and I tend to agree that Matalan etc won't necessarily suit. Not for a head office smart couple of days. So Id perhaps focus less on two whole outfits and instead see what you have already that's suitable and perhaps add a jacket/blazer or go for some new flats. If you're going to keep doing this you need items you can build up and add. I think m and s can be a good starting point (and I've just added that blazer to basket) but I'd probably look also at Hobbes (though they are often high necked so it might be more difficult) and Fenn wight Manson. When I do a similar kind of event I see a lot of wide trousers, pointy flats and blouses in chiffon, or a on/below knee skirt (often pleated) with a fitted round neck thin jumper (I have to adapt this to v neck so it feels like it works less). The jigsaw dress that was linked feels spot on too. Good luck - the right outfits always make such a difference to my confidence

mintvelvet.com/products/dark-grey-tie-side-midi-dress

20% off that ends today. Would be lovely with a blazer and good support underwear. 😊

I have a similar shape although I am much shorter than you. I have been following Mollie Campsie and stylish mum journal on Insta. Stylish mum journal sounds more like your shape? I bought a full outfit that she recommended last week. River island midi skirt, black top, boots and bomber jacket and wore it to a professional meeting in our office yesterday. Felt & looked fab & could swap the top/bomber for something more formal if needed.

Oh and probably cross posting but M&S have a HUGE range of beautiful dresses (own brand and Hobbs/phase eight/nobody's child) that are more than suitable for professional environment imo & very similar to some already linked here. I think you are spoilt for choice now OP. Happy shopping!

Trousers and blouse one day and a dress the other, M&S have suitable though I've bought most of mine from sainsburys. Have a jacket that works with both outfits

second m&s - take a look at the jaeger range it’s lovely atm

https://www.marksandspencer.com/geometric-button-through-midi-shirt-dress/p/clp60616544?color=NAVYMIX#intid=carousel_FUNH_AT_PHOENIX-RECENTLY-VIEWED_END_PDP_20_4:8af38481-bcd1-495e-86ec-7ccc09e0f15e

I'm not sure why people are suggesting matalan/tu/asda/charity shops(??!!) when you have made it clear you have a visit to head office in a professional industry! I don't dress up for work sadly but please take note of recommendations for better quality shops, also be careful of cheap looking fabric.

I’m 52, 5 ft 3 and 11 stone with 34 H boobs. I recently bought a black pencil skirt from Boden which I wear with either a black or cream satin shirt from Marks. It actually flatters the stomach (am very much an apple) and boobs - you can have a couple of buttons open on shirt. I wear with black opaque sand ankle boots and a necklace.

@Greenqueen40 please provide recommendations. I am a solicitor who is plus size who is willing to spend the money but struggling to find quality fabrics particularly when plus size.

OP is size 14 so the recommendations on this thread have all been to mainstream retailers but I appreciate that these often only go to a size 16 or 18 which may not be enough for everyone.

When you ask for Plus size recommendations what’s the kind of size range you are asking about and what sort of price point are you able to consider?

@Greenqueen40 sadly the recommendations I have generally exhausted myself or cannot utilise. I am a 18-22 depending on the shop / cut / material. Pear shaped and 9months pp with a larger belly. Price point probably up to £250 for a dress which is well made but would consider more for a timeless piece. Sadly costs do not always equate quality. I’m just struggling to know the brands to review besides the mainstream retailer. Any suggestions I would be eternally grateful.

The link below is the best suggestion on the thread and goes up to larger sizes. It's not suitable if you're appearing in court but for anything else, fine.

I think many of the suggestions on here are dull , have had their day and Hobbs and Jaeger aren't anything like the quality they used to be

Zuri

matalan!!

Is there anything from Karen Mullen’s plus range you like?

https://www.karenmillen.com/womens/plus-size-clothing/workwear

or maybe look at some of the US designers who often go up to larger sizes. What about Ralph Lauren - is there anything here matches your style?

https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/women/lauren-curve/20102?prefn1=CategoryCode&prefv1=Trousers%7CBroeken%7CPantalons%7CHosen%7CPantaloni%7CCalças%7CPantalones&webcat=women%7clauren-curve%7cwomen-lauren-curve-clothing-trousers&orignalCatID=women-lauren-curve-clothing-trousers&altrurlID=women-lauren-curve-clothing-trousers

How about this as an easy everyday work dress?

https://www.marcellanyc.com/products/fillmore-dress

This suggestion will no doubt provoke cries of "ridiculous prices, sacks, hideous" but Casey Casey make beautiful clothes. Not all of it would work in an office but some will.

I've linked the famous Anthropologie Bettina dress, which is a toned down, High Street version of Casey Casey. It looks great in real life.

Third is Oska- not 100% sure how big their clothes are but there's"office wear" there too.

Casey Casey dresses
The Bettina dress
Oska dresses

I have to dress smart about once a week, mostly buy from Next online. Size 16, I usually opt for trousers, blazer, smart top, lots of mix and match. Current dresses I see in shops always look too long on me to look smart (i’m 5ft 4).Agree Matalan etc. not suitable for professional, smart work wear

I absolutely love both of these.

OP, personally by what you’ve described Matalan is not enough in my opinion and the majority of the dresses I’ve seen they’re too casual.

you want something more like solid colours or you could get away with block colour patterns like the dress in this poster’s link.

I don't agree the dresses are too casual. If I were Heygal , I'd ditch the "corporate lawyer look"

I think that's a look which was starting to look passé even before Covid. Lockdown has done away with much of the "corporate" look but that doesn't just mean dress down. It's dress differently too. I like the dress in that link but the suit is dull and past it.

I wouldn’t think that dress was appropriate - it’s more of a tights, chunky boots and coat for coffee with a friend.

Only you will really know what’s expected in your workplace but I am a very similar build although a size bigger and wear styles like these:
£££ but a timeless piece and so flattering over 7/8 trousers with flat shoes.

Coast

close to jaguar one posted earlier (that would be ideal!)

This dress is lovely and very flattering https://www.marksandspencer.com/cupro-rich-printed-midaxi-waisted-dress/p/clp60608026#intid=pid_pg1pip18g4r4c3

It is out of stock online, but you might get lucky in store. I'm gutted because I tried it on in store last month and loved it, but now it is out of stock in all the stores near me.

M&S have great wide legged trousers at the moment.

https://www.winserlondon.com/miracle-dress-2?refSrc=149625&nosto=nosto-page-product3
(sale/50)

Hey OP. I am the same size and shape as you and posted a very similar cry for help a few weeks ago. I got sooooo many great responses. Worth checking them out!
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4872230-im-going-to-be-a-speakerpanelist-outfit-help

When I travel to our head office I would wear a suit ine day and then the blazer the fillowing day with either a dress or skirt.