Affordable professional workwear for return to the office

[Shefliesonherownwings]

Hi all

I am due to start a new job in a couple of months and need some help with office wear that is not 200 quid for one dress.

I work in law for the public sector and since covid I have been home based so pretty much living in leggings on the bottoms and smartish tops but not really formal enough for the office. My new job will mean attendance in the London office 1-2 days a week going forward. I'm not client facing but I need to look smart, albeit not suited and booted.

I'm 5"3, hour glass figure. Size 14 with a bit of a mum tum and E cup boobs. I have been losing weight recently and hoping to lose a few more pounds before I start but don't expect the boobs and mum tum to diminish much. I've only just gone back to my current job after mat leave so funds are not great.

I tend to lean towards dresses as an easy option but need some nice smart styles, not frumpy (am only 40) but also not clingy and more affordable. Any go to brands?

Thanks!

Hard to say without knowing the kind've 'expectations' your workplace has honestly. I think something like this is formal enough but is also nice and and light for the hot weather (slightly important right now aha). Cheap 2.

Kind Regards

Thanks for the suggestion, that top could work but might be a bit casual. I’m not sure if their expectations either yet but I suspect smart will be expected but not smart casual or suit jackets and heels for example.

Boden is great. Go on eBay where there are official resellers of last season. Great prices. Good luck

Try Vinted - search brands you like, even ones that might usually be a bit out of your price range, COS etc. I think it’s better to buy quality work wear second hand than cheaper new, as the quality materials make things look smarter in my opinion. Otherwise for a low cost high street option I’d look at H&M

I use vinted for work outfits, and often filter for Hobbs dresses

I recommend Instagram for style ideas. Lydia Jane Tomlinson is a good one to follow for smart casual clothing that looks good in most offices. I’m also a lawyer and my wardrobe is generally a mix of wide leg trousers with a top or silk blouse paired with white trainers or Hobbs dresses from eBay.

Would dresses and shirts / trousers from

Community Clothing

be too casual? (As a former lawyer I used to wear black or grey suits / dresses for work but the tailored items from CC would have been fine for office based staff.)

The legal team in my work (public sector) wear a mixture. Guys quite smart (suit and shirt, no tie), but the women tend to be more smart-casual. I’d go for jersey dresses as they are so easy to wear. Not totally sure what you mean when you say affordable - that’s a wide range - but I’d look at ASOS where you get a whole mix of brands. Also John Lewis and M&S - search under dresses within a price range and see what comes up. Saint and Sofia have a sale on just now too.

I buy all my workwear from vinted/Ebay

• I resent spending £££ on things I only wear for work
• you can buy really smart brands for basically nothing

My standard 'uniform' has been a tailored dress and a jacket (not matching but coordinated) with flat leather shoes

Cos
Arket
& Other Stories

are all still in holiday mode - but in a few weeks they should be full of suitable work clothes. (In the meantime you could comb their sales for smart shirts / blouses in cotton or silk.)

I suggest cos or H&M (not sure how well
the latter washes though).

My favourite work dresses are the ‘starlight’ dress from Nobody’s Child. They usually have some in the sale section. The website mostly shows them worn like tents by models with small boobs, but they fit well on me (similar age height and boobs) and look smart with the sharp v, buttons and panelling, and gathered cuffs. Plus pockets!

I follow awomancalledgeorge on TikTok and insta she is a lawyer in Jersey and looks amazing and buys all of her clothes from charity shops. Worth a look for ideas

I’m senior public sector, Hobbs and Cos are where my standard work stuff comes from, plus a bit of Autograph.

H and M are good, I got a dress in the sale this week for £10 and wear their cardigans too

Things I would wear include

Hobbs Navy in sale

This - decent quality blazer will go over everything

Check out the outlet section on the Hobbs website.

Not much at Autograph atm in terms of work dresses, I’d wear this depending on the fabric.

Oooh lots of suggestions thank you. I hadn't thought of Vinted actually so will defo check that out. I'm a big fan of Hobbs/Cos but too pricey normally so will look at second hand options. Much appreciated everyone.