Dressing for the office (apple shape)

[Pinko1]

I work in media and id love to look a bit more fashionable when I'm in the office but I seem to have lost my style/become so mumsy. I've realised it's weight driven so what can I wear that works?

Trousers : I have these in black and navy which feel great but can't figure out how to style the rest :

I don't tend to wear heels much these days but could wear lower ones/boots

I tend to wear trousers and a longer cardi which i think looks boring. I'm an apple shape and have good legs/boobs.

I'm trying to find decent instagram people who can show me workweek suggestions ....

Being an apple you probably want to cover your stomach? I’d try and go for a short not tucked in top that just covered your tummy. This sort of length. How long is the cardi? I think a really long, knee length could be ok, otherwise you want shorter. So the same length as your top roughly.
I don’t think you want heels.

@Cheeesus thanks for posting - my cardis are either just below waist or nearing ankles. But i just think i look frumpy so im wondering about alternatives. A blazer feels too eighties and as im in media, no one seems to do the blazer look.....

I like big car coats but i cant seem to get the rest right!

Do you suit poloneck tops? They can look good with wide leg trousers.

Wearing colour can liven up your look whatever weight or shape or age you are.

@Princessfluffy but my bust is a size GG so I'm not sure polonecks are flattering. I don't mind tucking in but need something over it ie blazer or cardi, and this is where I start to feel frumpy

What shoes are you wearing with those trousers? I think that will be the key. Unless you aren't allowed, I'd be wearing trainers, the trousers and maybe a shirt given the boobs (not the 'crisp white' variety, something floppy and silky maybe) I also like a cardigan mostly due to crappy meno temperature issues but there are cardigans and cardigans....

I'm an apple and apple and I really suit wide leg trousers but I dont have big boobs, more wide shoulders so probably suit different tops. Do wrap tops work well for you?

@Peepshowcreepshow so would you tuck the shirt in? I'd feel conscious about my stomach then. Trainers are definitely allowed.

@Princessfluffy wrap tops sound good, but what length? I think longer can sometimes look frumpy

I also work in media and am a similar shape, I mainly wear dresses, black or check boyfriend blazer at the ready for events that need it. I don’t think blazers are out for when you need to be formal.

I'd go for a wrap top that ends at the top of my hip bone as I definitely agree that long tops look unflattering on my shape.

I love satin shirts with pussy cat bows, again not sure whether those work for bigger boobs or not but a satin wrap top in a plain jewel colour could look good with the wide trousers.

I would wear short length cardigans or jackets. I like higher necks but v necks might work better for you.
Jacket wise I'd chose a short structured jacket with shoulders and waist defined.

@Gemstonebeach the thing is would you wear a blazer during daytime though?

I'm a similar shape and find dark-coloured, tailored blazers are really flattering.

Wide-legged trousers I'm not so sure about. They seem to start at my widest point and then just carry on being wide all the way down. There is a danger of just looking squat and stubby. Trousers that are more fitted around my hips and thighs look better, or else dresses (my favourite option).

@PotatoAloo I'm looking at blazers now, would you wear a full sleeve or rolled up?

I'm an apple shape too, which usually means no ( or a very undefined) waist.
I think that wide trousers need to be balanced with a neat waist and fitted top, but this probably won't work if you have a fat stomach - I know I don't want to display mine!
But if you wear wide trousers with a looser/longer top, you will just look bigger all over. Sadly I have decided that wide trousers don't work for me, which is a shame as I think they can look really cool!
It may depend on how big you are - at a size 14/16 I could get away with it as my waist was more defined. As an older, less toned 18/20, it just doesn't flatter.

I usually wear a shift dress with a jacket over it, to avoid 'cutting myself in half' by skimming over my fat stomach.

Probably full sleeve, but honestly I think it depends on your outfit and preference.

@Pinko1 I don’t normally wear them at my desk, but I do for meetings or when I am out and about if I need to be more formal. It’s funny how we all have different preferences, I always wear a more oversized blazer and I quite like a shorter sleeve on them of I am wearing a short sleeve dress but I see a previous poster prefers tailored. I also rarely wear trousers and I find dresses much more flattering for my body shape. I think a floor length cardigan sounds good though with trousers and a linen shirt, I also like a wrap cardigan but as another poster mentioned there are cardigans and then there are cardigans in regards to looking good for the office. My boss has a silver denim jacket which I really quite like but it would be blatant copying haha.