Good news/ bad news! Help!

[Fruitbatdancer]

Great news I’ve been promoted (again!) 3rd time in 18 months! Yay but boooo. I need to up my game on the work clothing front and I’m size 22 and apple shaped 😭😭😭 (I’m losing weight but it is sloooooow) I’m now basically on the board 😬
its a job in city, I commute, so I tend to do flats but I need to start having heels in office. I’ve been picking bits from Evans/ yours/ torrid/ but need some more designery bits- where on earth do I start. Shoes/ bag also required! And some sort of (thin but warm!! Coat.
but mostly fancy tops/ black trousers and dresses? Where on earth/ who should I look at?!

Why do you need heels? No-one wears heels in the office nowadays (or certainly not where I work). Very dated.

Everyone in my office does heels, they don’t need to be high! I wear cheap new look flats, so fancy flats would also be ok!

Marina Rinaldi used to be the equivalent of MaxMara for plus size clothes. It’s a bit variable now but you can still find a few decent items:

Marina Rinaldi

Marina rina.di is gorgeous

I think the plain items in Marks and Spencer are good, cashmere jumpers, wide leg trousers, etc. Also they have some lovely brogues in at the moment in burgundy.
I like Cos too for shirts and dresses.
John Lewis Anyday clothing is good for coats and basics.

Isabel Bernard do some beautiful leather briefcases that look like handbags. I get a 17 inch laptop in mine!

Also recommend Emmy London for heels. They have some which look so elegant with a pointy toe but they have a block heel which makes them more comfortable to walk in. And my favourite LK Bennett Fern and Floret courts come in loads of colours to brighten up a conservative work outfit.

Live Unlimited is worthwhile.

Please don’t wear heels just because you have been promoted. Be an example to the women under you by dressing in smart comfortable clothes. The fact you don’t currently wear heels implies you don’t prefer them.
Have a look on the John Lewis website, they have a huge range of price points and hopefully sizes.
Oh and congratulations on your promotion.

I take the point on heels but want
to wear them occasionally! And I’d prefer mid heel Mary Jane’s that were pointy- I’ll be in flats mostly!
thanks for fab suggestions so far! I think I’ll get the laptop bag and have a bunch of stuff in baskets!

Karen Millen does a good plus size range.

Recommending Esska for mid heel Mary Jane's. (Whilst also wondering where on earth you work in the city where anyone is in heels!!)

esskashoes.com/products/laura-metallic

I like these shoes. OK, I like a LOT of shoes but these seem to fit your brief and are comfy/sturdy. https://joanieclothing.com/lille-leather-t-bar-dolly-shoes-teal.html

Worth looking at Joanie for clothes, too, depending on your style. They're always well-made. https://joanieclothing.com/clothing/dresses.html?size=EXTRA%20LARGE%20(UK%2020-22)

And congratulations!

I'm not a big Mary Janes fan but I do like those Elssks ones @chalkyc2

I know @Rina66 they're beautiful! I also like the pointy brogues they do but sizing availability seems sketchy!

Esska gets recommended a lot on here for comfy heels, but they genuinely are very comfortable - certainly for dancing, standing around at weddings all day.
They also come in wide fittings - though I have wider than average feet and their regular width fit me comfortably.
They do work/smart shoes as well as party shoes so might be worth looking at.

Congrats on new job!