Plus size wardrobe for new job

[poppetto]

I'm starting a new job next month and will be in the office at least 2 days a week.

I'm looking for help with a new wardrobe. Am a size 18, 5ft4, generally...wide. Job is admin at a university. My usual out-of-work style is black jeans, band t-shirt/black top, black trainers.

Any suggestions of where to start would be amazing.

What shape of jean do you usually wear? You can match that in a black work trouser (like these Trousers | Curve Smart Wide Leg Trousers | Wallis or these Long Straight Leg Stretch Trouser in Black - Roman Originals UK or Full Length Boot Cut Stretch Trouser in Black - Roman Originals UK for example) and then go for blouses. You can mix and match colours of the blouse + blazer if you go for neutral coloured bottoms. A blouse like this could work with the straight legged trousers Green Chiffon Banded Hem Pleated Top | Roman UK and then you can pop a black blazer on top.

Would you feel comfortable wearing a dress? This is nice, and again could be paired with a black blazer, and black tights Dresses | Geo Print Tie Waist Pleated Midi Jumper Dress | Izabel London

Our team admin dresses like you out of work and is wearing River Island trousers and Simply Be shirts whenever I've asked her. And boots usually.

I have worked for several universities and pretty much everyone dresses casually. The dress code if any will generally say something like “smart casual” and maybe give an expected standard such as no revealing clothing (so that people don’t think they can take the piss and turn up in a bikini top!)
I’d go in some trousers or a skirt and a top/jumper to start with, then decide if you want to go smarter or more casual if the people you work with dress very differently.