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!

I'd wear s dress, jacket and smart flat shoes or boots op.

Boden
Scamp & Dude
Joanie

All have lovely dresses in larger sizes.

These with a jacket would be fine op.
I'm a charity leader based in london.

www.seasaltcornwall.com/fleet-short-sleeve-midi-check-dress

www.seasaltcornwall.com/charlotte-midi-shirt-dress

www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/p/ig938

www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/p/fj342

@EmmaGrundyForPM it's not very nice to call people obese. Did you mean to be rude?

River Island has some nice basics in plus, some of them office/interview ish.

Ulla Popken has some nice things but be warned, they run small.

Occasionally some nice office-ish things amidst the sea of viscose prints at Live Unlimited, but they're overpriced for what they are and too much stuff that isn't print has ruffles or sequins. Bottoms there run large.

Some casual jacket/blazers on Only (under their Curve/Carmakoma line) that could be useful. Likewise ASOS.

Best for super serious workwear in a 26 is Marina Rinaldi, but it's expensive and overkill for many offices these days, especially in the charity sector. And the good basics rarely make it to eBay or Vinted. You can find great coats though. Not cheap but serious quality and worth the investment.

@OnHerSolidFoundations no, didn't mean to be rude. I've been obese myself in the past. I think it's a preferable term to fat.

Hopefully the OP will find something that suits her and she enjoys wearing.

Wear trousers and a blouse on the first day, classic style then shop afterwards

I find it rude.

My go to is sea salt dresses, tights and chunky loafers in winter, timberland sandals in summer. Have cardigans, smart jacket and denim jacket depending on season and vibe needed

Our head office is in London, we've regional offices in the SE, SW, NW, WALES AND SCOTLAND.

The staff in the London office are the only scruffy ones especially the younger ones. It's quite a shock when they visit. Even their hair is a mess.

I think your age and style is very relevant to the options you'd consider. I'm 50 but would consider seasalt way too mumsy for me

Would you consider a mid lenght or long silky dress from eBay or Vinted, comfortable white trainers and statement earrings?
Wishing you all the best in your new job and hope you enjoy it.

I think Roman clothing go up to size 28. @Hopeandmoss

When Evans first started it was called "Evans Outsize" so it could be worse!

Aside from the wider debate raised by your post, not all clothes shops do bigger sizes so it's useful to know which ones do with a "label" of some sort.

Hi - congratulations on your interview.
You could try Phase 8 as I find their styles quite flattering and stylish.
I’d suggest Midi dress in knitted fabric with leggings and nice boots.
A top & trouser combination.
They do good colour block designs that are ‘Londony’
I occasionally freelance in London and I find a couple of phase8 outfits help my confidence.
Sizes go up to size 26.
best of luck - hope it goes well!

You could have a trawl through la redoute - it has some great stuff but you do have to spend some time finding it. Structured dresses are good.

Sea salt is good but not top to toe really maybe trousers from there and a nice top from M&S or something (m&S trousers not working for + size this season imo!!).

You don't need to be smart smart but you want to feel stylish and comfortable.

The term the OP used was plus sized. How hard would it have been to use that?

Maybe you personally prefer 'obese' (which is a medical category, not a clothing size one), but I wager most of us fat or plus-sized people do not.

@EmmaGrundyForPM that post was uncalled for.

My work other half is about your size OP.
She looks amazing and wears a lot of Mango, Antropologie, La Redoute, American Universal Standard and Marks and Spencer. She is pretty much always better put together than the rest of our staff because it is harder for her to find nice quality clothing. This is something we should all be campaigning for - less judgement of women and better quality in clothing.

I apologise, I didn't mean to upset anyone

@EmmaGrundyForPM "obese" is really offensive. And no sane person just casually drops it into a chat about clothes. That was deliberately nasty unless maybe English isn't your first language or you struggle with your words a lot

Thank you everyone for the brilliant ideas I will be spending the rest of the day online shopping. The reason I used plus sized is that it is sadly what most retailers label my size. Thanks everyone x

Why even say "preferable to the term fat"? I mean...are you OK?

Honestly you've hit fat phobia bingo here from "how about a nice black or navy dress dear so nobody <covers mouth and whispers> sees you" to using both obese and fat. Fat is a word people can use about themselves but even you said it isn't nice to call someone else that. And yet you still just HAD to say it.

Op just came on for advice about clothes. She really didn't deserve your thinly veiled fat shaming tbh. Even if you are a 'reformed' fatty 🙄😇. Your comments sound like something from 30 odd years ago and are gross.

Christ, I've apologised. I seriously don't see it as an offensive word, but I accept that clearly others do, which is why I apologised.

As I said, I really hope the OP finds something she feels comfortable in and enjoys her new job.

And the suggestion of black or navy has nothing to do with size, I'd suggest those colours to anyone of any size. If you dont know what the office dress code is, they are "safe" standard office wear colours.

As I said, I've apologised and because I really don't want to offend anyone I've asked MN to delete my post