Work shoes…help!

[PolishedPolly]

Please help me as I am hopeless and shop in the same shops time and time again.

I need shoes for work. And help with clothes.

Senior management position but in social care. Day to day sit in an office with people who dress a mix of smart casual / very casual because some are working in the community with children and their families and some are more office based.

For context, I am often working with senior management who dress smarter - some men wear suits, some just smart trousers and shirts, women rarely wear full on suits. More likely to be in dresses with tights or trousers and a top. Trainers are fine in some settings too.

So while we dress smart ish, it’s not like The Apprentice type smart!! People would think I had lost the plot if I walked in wearing a tailored dress or power suit for example 🤣

I am fat - size 20. Big boobs. Big feet (8/9, 42)

I tend to live in shirts - either slightly floaty with vest underneath, or stripes - I love a striped shirt haha! Usually wear with wide leg trousers.

On my more casual days when I don’t have meetings I will wear black skinny jeans / jeggingy type trousers with a dressier shirt and pumps or loafers. I always look smart-ish. Never properly casual.

Shoes - summer I wore pumps, sometimes a loafer. Also occasionally wore trainers, which in my role is acceptable - sometimes!!

However, I need smart shoes for winter and I don’t know where to start!!

I have a few very formal meetings coming up - a suit isn’t necessary but smart shoes will be. I’m confident that the clothes I have can be dressed up enough for the smart setting.

Any advice about shoes would be very very appreciated!!

(And clothes too!!)

I need a smart jacket too but struggle with blazers at times!

Sorry this post is chaotic!

I just realised my title absolutely does not match my post 🤣

Shoes or boots?

M&S have a few nice blazers at the moment.

For shoes, how about some DM lace up shoes?

Similar type of role here. I have the DM Adrian loafers in oxblood. They have the build quality and comfort of docs by they don’t look too Dee-Emmy if you know what I mean. They look more formal - no yellow stitching etc. and they go with everything.

www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/adrian-arcadia-leather-tassel-loafers-cherry-red/p/14573601

Both? Can I wear boots with wide leg trousers?

Oh they are nice actually. I didn’t consider DM before because they aren’t really my style and I am always worried my feet look bigger in them!!

I tend to wear the Adrian’s with wide leg trousers, a blouse or fancy t shirt, and a jacket. At the moment I’m leaning towards monochrome - everything tones of the same colour - e.g. tan trousers, tan or leopard top, and tan jacket. It’s easy and looks put together.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/patent-strappy-block-heel-court-shoes/p/clp60624203?color=RED#intid=pid_pg1pip16g4r1c3

Loafers are big just now, although I prefer a lace up brogue. I love a Mary Jane myself - either flats or heels - I just got these.

The DM loafers don’t work for me, annoyingly. The 4s were huge, even with an insole, but I couldn’t even get my foot in the 3. Disappointing as they look great.

For wide legged trousers, I think boots need a slight heel. I have suede block heeled Clark’s Originals for this purpose, but they’re getting a bit old now.

I know you're primarily looking for shoes OP, but from what you've said about work clothes in general, maybe a personal shopping experience might help?

I'm currently losing weight and need a wardrobe overhaul to get away from the drab clothes I've been wearingfor the last few years. A colleague has suggested booking a personal styling session at John Lewis. It's free and there's no obligation to purchase any of the suggested pieces, although my colleague said she is still wearing some of the clothes she bought 10 years ago that her stylist suggested. You could make a day of it with a friend?

I used to work in a similar environment. Generally I'd wear a cardigan and flats, then if we had clients/meetings, I'd swap to a jacket/blazer and heels/wedges.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/leather-block-heel-ankle-boots/p/clp60683381?color=BLACK#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r9c1

https://www.dunelondon.com/grape-wide-fit-patent-tassel-loafers-black-1173500620011034.html

www.johnlewis.com/l-k-bennett-eevi-leather-wedge-heel-court-shoes/p4939542

Someone actually suggested this to me recently…tbh I am a bit mortified to do this in case they don’t have enough clothes in my size to make it worthwhile.

But I do think it might help and might help to take me out of my comfort zone.

I am also very guilty of wearing loose clothes and I know they aren’t always the most flattering. It’s a confidence issue!!

@PolishedPolly I keep a pair of black flattish courts - cross between a ballerina and a block heel - under my desk at work. Clarks sale - about £35. They do if I have to step up. For jackets I find a Jersey jacket invaluable - Whistles do them.

@PolishedPolly

There are three lists of good plus size clothes that it’s worth familiarising yourself with. The brands named cover everything from lingerie through daywear, gym clothes and evening wear, high street to avant-garde. If you look through them with attention you should find a few new sources you can rely on.

https://www.lauraadlington.com/plus-size-directory

https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/gallery/best-plus-size-fashion-brands

https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/article/best-plus-size-fashion-brands

Thank you! I do love Laura A and I think we are a similar age too which helps.

Just remembered I meant to recommend

Solovair shoes

Don’t think I’ve ever worn them myself but plenty of well dressed friends and acquaintances recommend them for comfort and longevity. And their price point and smart but utilitarian aesthetic seem about right for your work situation.

I always wear a mix of pointed flats, loafers or heeled boots. I like a more colourful shoe if I’m wearing a very plain outfit but love M&S for work shoes, or John Lewis. I tend to buy them in the sales as hate spending money on work clothes! There are lots of nice blazers around this year too.

My work shoes/boots usually come from here.

Clothes wise, a smart blazer can work wonders and go with all sorts of things.