Plus sized London office wear help!

[Hopeandmoss]

I have had an online interview for a job which is home based with commutes to head office in London a few times per month. I have never worked in London and have no idea what people wear. Job is in the charity sector so I think dress code will be fairly flexible. I will be getting the train in and then a short walk to the office. As a short, plus sized
26 can anyone recommend any outfits / shops. I have a budget of £500 for clothes so would like some good quality items and flat shoes!

Office wear in London has turned on it’s head since covid and wfh. Most people I know who aren’t client facing wear casual inc nice jeans, trainers (yup), and a very nice handbag.

Its fairly casual day to day but for an interview I would err on the smarter side.

Perhaps ankle graze trousers, a shirt or tunic style top and a blazer jacket plus loafers.

Or a simple black or navy dress with loafer shoes and a bright trench coat, scarf or jacket.

Or a smart knitted top over smart black trousers.

Or a smart wrap or knitted dress over flat boots.

Hobbs is my go to.

My DD2 works in the charity sector in London. she wears jeans or wide legged trousers, a semi smart top/jumper and trainers,

@Ilovemyshed I think that might be my plan for the first day and then go from there. I will be nervous enough without walking in wearing jeans to find everyone else in office wear! Just had a look at Hobbs and they only go up to a 22 sadly.

If i am honest both my DDs (age 26 & 31) would look at me askance if I suggested they wore Hobbs. They consider it a shop for me (age 61). They shop at places like Uniqlo, & other Stories and Mango. I don't know what the sizing in those shops is like though.

@ApolloandDaphne just had a look and only Mango do plus sized sadly. & other stories has some great stuff but not my size, but I may use some of their ideas and try and match in other stores

Becky Reynolds on YouTube is a size 26 op and she does fashion haul type content. I think she'd be good inspiration as I believe she also works in London some days.

Good luck with the interview / new job!

Have a look at Wallis and Oasis curve.

I just had a massive sweep through John Lewis - have a look at Live Unlimited? They're particularly good at flattering plus size tops imo.

Also Karen millen have a range up to 24 - no idea if generous or not.

Joanie have sone nice shirts and blouses.

Id focus on Wallis for some good trousers ( will need taking up) and a jacket and interchange with tops.

I work in London in the charity sector. It’s always been fairly casual tbh. Depends a bit on peoples roles but lots of my colleagues will wear jeans and a top with boots or trainers. I quite often have external meetings so go a notch smarter which would be chinos/cords (surprisingly I like M&S for trousers atm) plus a casual shirt/blouse or top (usually from Uniqlo but I don’t think they do plus sizes) with boots for most of the year or brogues or sandals. Or I have a selection of midi dresses. Handbags largely replaced with rucksacks as we’re all lugging laptops around. I might wear a jacket for an interview/high level meeting but never a suit. Sorry I can’t help with stores that are good for plus size, but regular high street is fine - we don’t generally command high salaries and tend to dress accordingly!

I was in Mango on Friday and they have some really nice blazers and jackets at the moment.
Also, look at Principles and Wallis on Debenham's site.

https://www.johnlewis.com/browse/women/plus-size/size=26/work/_/N-fltZodvcZ1yzkkud

Live unlimited, Curvissa, Yours, Wallis and Evans seem to be the best bets.

I’m surprised there’s not a higher end label like Hobbs for these sizes though.

Mango workwear was good when I used to buy it.

Jolie Moi has very flattering dresses that are great for work and so comfy to wear. Good luck with the job.

Something in Jersey mid length with sleeves like this one Jolie Moi

I work in a civil service job in central London. I wear mostly trousers with trainers ( current faves vomero 5s) or ankle boots. Longline tops or T-shirt and jumper.
(I am size 18)

Can I ask, why do we use the term ‘plus sized’ when referring to people (usually women) over a certain size? Do we use the term ‘minus sized’ for women who are below a certain size? It’s almost as if there’s a negative connotation to being bigger than average and a positive connotation to being smaller than average.
Let’s just stop it!

Ulla Popken do really nice clothes, though best to wash at 30 to avoid shrinkage of tops. Their clothes are good quality and affordable. Order via topcashback website to get cash back.

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I like Coast online, got your size and many formal wear too.

Can be worth looking g at Seasalt for some of their plainer designs.
Their trousers are a good fit for larger sizes ( they go up to size 26-28), and some of their tunic tops are plain.
Jackets are good too!

So charity sector will be smart casual, I'd go wide leg trousers, funky Adidas trainers, tshirt, Blazer. Look on tik Tok for some plus size style advice. Evans is where fashion goes to die.

I'm a similar size, look at h and m, a 3xl would fit well, they do some great dresses that are work appropriate. Asos can be hit or miss, but good for trousers often (I got some black wide leg loose ones that are fab). Shirts are good, find a jean style that works for your body and buy. Black jeans would be fine at work.

Definitely go to H&M, just about to buy a lot of summer dresses I don't really need 🤣

I probably wouldn’t spend too much money until I’d seen what everyone else wears in the office. My friend who works in a London charity is very casual and my office ( public sector) is pretty casual although I like being at the smarter end of that. If you’re the type of person who wears dresses then a dress that you can wear smartly then dress down with trainers would probably be a good start. Jersey dresses are quite versatile - my friend who is a size 22/24 wears them exclusively in the office with trainers and cardigans. Id probably wear them with a blazer and trainers but that’s my style. I think this one is pretty good ( although I’m not wild about the range generally). It’s sold through M&S. I think it would be versatile until you get a sense of what else they wear.