Help!! New job & no jeans allowed! Have been clothes shopping & returned with grey sludge!

[WallOfSilence]

I never wear dressy clothes... I have been a student & a SAHM for 6 (more) years! I wear jeans to uni & I wear jeans at home! I am a size 14/16 (mostly 16 lately but back to sw on Wed & will have lost this excess in no time!!)

Anyway, I went shopping today & got a few basics for my wardrobe. I already have a pair of black trousers & a couple of dressy/brighter tops.

Below is what I have, but the skirt I got is too tight & I dunno whether to get a bigger size or forget about it. I'm not a skirt person.
here and thisand this
and a couple of these

Anyone any ideas to brighten up the dull grey sludge? The grey trousers I have haven't got the bow round the waist like the ones above have... I have a tummy so don't suit the bow ones!

Also bought these tops: looks pure shit on the model, but is nice in RL

and this one I like the back of it & have worn it with a long sleeved black top underneath it.

Please don't all laugh at my clothes I am so out of touch with normality it isn't even funny!!

Help!!

So... no-one cares if I look like a refugee?

WallOfSilence - I like the shoetsleeved cardi- don't like grey much. You could wear a colourful top underneath and it would go with so many things, Try buying some colourful jewellery - new look has some great cheapy stuff to brighten things up. Necklaces especially . Tbh I am stuck in a bit of a similar rut and find it hard to look smart without looking a bit frumpy so will watch this thread. Agree about the on the trousers. Like the skirt also. Dp is really much better than Next for this sort of thing.
I am looking for some semi-smart trousers that look a bit more spring like

good luck- what is your new job?

Sorry about the spelling mistakes - will check your thread later for tips

Well if you want a bit of colour, why not buy the Dorothy Perkins v-neck tops (I have a couple - they're great) in some colours rather than black? They had loads of different colours in my DPs (though I ended up with brown and grey marl, so maybe I shouldn't be giving you advice). I'm not sure about the skirt - it looks rather like half a suit to me. How about something longer, maybe with boots? But it depends on your job, I suppose.

I agree - use accessories to brighten things up - not just bright colours either, you could also do chunky silver or black, but something to make outfits a bit more individual.

am afraid I think the last two tops are a) minging and b) not really smart enough for the office

IMO you'd be better getting more boring classic shaped tops in colours that really suit you - not just random bright ones but ones that make your skintone look nice. DP is generally good for these.

xp Jackie

I swear we shou,ld be sponsored by monsoon/dp/littlewoods

MrsB. Imagine if we got commission.

If you want a plain-ish skirt, how about something like this which has a bit of neutral detail to make it more interesting, without being overwhelming?

I will get some of those DP tops in different colours, they had lovely shades of blue but ds was being a wee shit so I had no time!

Yep, the skirt will go back I think. I don't do skirts (especially if it looks like half a suit )

It's sort of an office based job... reporter with a local paper.. so will have lots of contact with the public. The terms & conds said to look presentable as will have contact with the public & no denim jeans/skirts etc...

Tbh the last dotty top is much nicer in the flesh, the lilac really stands out, I wore it to the pub with my jeans last week & had lots of compliments. [So will strike it off for work wear but might keep it for going out & weekend wear]

Thanks See...told you I had no taste!

Yes, that skirt is nice Jackie.

Thing is, I'm just 4ft 10" so look ridiculous in skirts! lol

Principles have some nice stuff atm - how about a dress (OK - if red's too scary, also comes in similar style in blue). I also like this, but it may be a bit ruffly and low cut for work.

Ah- X-post, but Principles also do a petite range with that skirt in.

The chocolate one could be nice with a top underneath it?? Would you wear a top under a dress?

Yesterday to work I wore a black & white striped shirt & black trousers... with a shitty Next waistcoat.

I need to drop about 2 stone & update my wardrobe! But for now I want to be dressy/trendy regardless of my size.

I think you need to buy fewer things then, as you're hoping to shrink out of them, iyswim, but you have to really love the things you buy. Do you have a Blunt Friend (as trademarked by Cod) who could come with you and tell you what works and what doesn't? I know it's difficult with LOs around too, so any chance of going on your own? If not maybe do a job lot of ordering stuff online, and have a mass trying on session - send most back, but keep the best?

And yes, you could maybe wear a camisole type top under the dress.

Yes, my sister is my blunt friend, as I am hers

She is the one who told me to "Stop wearing a fucking size 14, you're a 16... just buy a bigger size!" Is that blunt enough?

I am thinking of ordering some stuff I can try on in my own home.

Roll on Wed night!! I will join sw & get this belly off!

Sounds good - order a load of stuff, more than you need, with the aim of getting 2 or 3 differnt outfits out of it. Principles and DP good, as is Wallis, sometimes, and Monsoon. Get your sister round, and have a massive trying on session (you might have some existing stuff that might work with new things). Good luck.

Also maybe worth a look - White Stuff for more 'interesting' things - combine with plainer stuff.