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 🍎

Sainsbury’s, Matalan and Tesco all do good basic pieces for work wear like smart skirts and trousers. Then for a nice top or dress I’s suggest trying Roman. Some fantastic dresses there, I’m a H cup and its the only place I can get a dress to fit comfortably without paying a fortune.
https://www.roman.co.uk/

Not a dress but I recently bought this for returning to work post maternity https://www.hobbs.com/product/julia-printed-top/0223-2860-3669L00-PLUM-PINK-MULTI.html#cgid=clothing-tops&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0223-2860-3669L00-PLUM-PINK-MULTI&pos=14

i really didn’t expect to like it! And am also very busty. But it looks smart and is comfy and sits well. I wear with black trousers

Highly recommend grabbing an actual sack of potatoes, eating the potatoes to make you happy and then wear the sack, then spending the 2K you've saved on some form of fashion therapy or stylist 😂

OP - I get loads of my corporate wear from Zara, depends on your style, but they do have a god stock of size 14s and their shirts in particular (fond of M&S trousers) are great and last a long while. Don't cost a lot, not cheap cheap, and often look far more expensive/classier than the price tag x

Thanks again all. So much to think about! I did have a look at Matalan briefly yesterday but tend to agree with others that while some of the shapes/colours were good the clothes generally felt a bit cheap - probably fine day to day but I think I need more of a boost on this occasion!

I did buy the M&S blazer in sand (I already have it in black and agree that it's one of the most useful items of clothing I own!) Tried on a few dresses but I'm still struggling to work out what shape I need.

This was my favourite but it didn't sit quite right over the boobs

Do you have a Choice near you - lots of next, Dorothy Perkins, reiss and some other brands in there at bargain prices. I got a lovely next jumpsuit originally £46 but bought for £12. Well worth a visit.

Primark and Matalan probably won't cut it in the kind of corporate environment you have described. Hobbs have a number of dresses that could work for you and they are in the sale too.