Spring/summer work "uniform"

[EqualityDuck]

I would like to create a work "uniform" or capsule wardrobe for spring/summer and I've got no idea where to start and how I can look fashionable.

It's a relatively relaxed dress code. In winter I've been wearing chunky jumpers, tapered cotton trousers and ballet flats.

Any suggestions welcome, not worried about budget particularly.

I'm looking for:

• Natural fabrics only
• Trousers that are neither skinny nor extremely wide-legged
• Flat shoes only

Restrictions from my workplace:

• No jeans
• No trainers
• Arms must be covered to elbow

I'm 34 years old, 5'3, size 12 and "spoon" shaped (like pear shape but with added bonus of broad shoulders...!)

Any help greatly appreciated!

No specific examples but it sounds like you're strawberry shaped like me 🙂 v neck tops, button up shirts (not too boxy) are meant to be good for our shape. Wide leg or bootleg in lighter colours are also ideal for balancing. I uploaded a photo of myself to chatgpt and it gave me a colour analysis (also paid for one in the past and chatgpt did a pretty comparable job!) so I try to browse following these general rules and armed with an idea of my colour palette.

Hahaha, to anyone who grew up in Norway, that's like saying you never heard of M&S! I ❤️ a bit of Lindex myself and always shop there whenever I'm home.

I came on to say I've just revamped a lot of my work wear in M&S, including those Barrel legs trousers bit I see I've been beaten to it! I'm 5ft4 size 18 and they still look flattering 😃 I'm not normally a huge M&S fan but it's come up trumps for me this year.

Oh thank you for the recommendation! Do you happen to have the link to the trousers? Are they the elasticated waist ones (I had a look on the Cos site)?

I like these.
https://go.skimresources.com/?id=470X756&isjs=1&jv=15.9.1&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mumsnet.com%2Ftalk%2Fstyle_and_beauty%2F5306265-springsummer-work-uniform&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.next.co.uk%2Fstyle%2Fsu703004%2Fh16348%23h16348&xs=1&xtz=-60&xuuid=6e2fe2e289f427c53259aa65bef4cf4e&xjsf=other_click__auxclick%20%5B2%5D
go.skimresources.com/?id=470X756&isjs=1&jv=15.9.1&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mumsnet.com%2Ftalk%2Fstyle_and_beauty%2F5306265-springsummer-work-uniform&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.next.co.uk%2Fstyle%2Fsu646345%2Ff52701%23f52701&xs=1&xtz=-60&xuuid=6e2fe2e289f427c53259aa65bef4cf4e&xjsf=other_click__auxclick%20%5B2%5D

Oh sorry the link copied badly.

Thank you - but I am not a dress person at all! Wouldn't mind a top in similar fabric/pattern though.

In winter I've been wearing chunky jumpers, tapered cotton trousers and ballet flats.

Surely you could just swap out the chunky jumpers with cotton 3/4 or long sleeve tshirts? Then you get the most value from what you already own. They're in Uniqlo and probably lots of other places that do basics, like M&S, Next.

I hope you like them, but they are polyester and you posted looking for natural fibres only, which has probably limited some of the responses you received.

Oh gosh - thanks for spotting that. I'll try them on anyway... because it would be useful if I didn't have such an aversion to non-natural fibres...

Yes, I've ended up doing that today actually - seems OK for the weather so far.

I don't love tapered trousers and was wanting suggestions for a looser/straighter fit so was wanting to change them up.

I also think the ballet flats I was wearing aren't particularly stylish... 1 pair are pointy (not sure if that's still a thing) and the other just plain black. I'm thinking of getting some "pilates pumps" style ones and/or some with a strap across the top as those seem to be the summer update...?

I wear these on rotation. They come up big. So comfortable but suitable for work.

https://www.toa.st/products/gabi-cotton-pull-on-trousers-storm-blue

For work I wear 7/8ths green cotton chino trousers, long sleeved t shirts (Boden's boat neck my faves) and then flats for most of the spring/autumn periods (and summer too if cooler).

Flats I like superga and Palmairas for work.

My summer work uniform was always a comfortable jersey cotton skirt and a cream or ivory top.

Alternatively loose linen trousers with a loose top.

Not very exciting, but you did ask!

Add these to your M&S order - super comfy!

I tried the barrel legs and they were great but either too tight on waist and loose on hips or vice versa for me.

From Asda ! https://direct.asda.com/george/women/shirts-blouses/pink-striped-oversized-broderie-collar-shirt/GEM1267735,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C4

Also Asda https://direct.asda.com/george/women/shirts-blouses/white-embroidered-sailor-collar-tie-neck-blouse/GEM1267739,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C4

Ooh, I wish I hadn't seen those, I love them but can't justify the price tags! Might look around for similar styles, though...

Just linking this boutique for anyone who is reading and is petite.
Don’t think it’s necessarily what OP is after though.

It’s really difficult to find nice tops that aren’t the high street and several other people in the office wearing the same thing. (Ignore the bows on the opening page. Model is 5’ 3”)

https://dresserboutique.com/

Massimo Dutti is my work wear favourite. Lots of good fabrics and modern shapes. Otherwise, I grab H&M cotton pieces in black and white.

The Lucy and Yak trousers sound great. Are they the Alexa ones? Just looking at their website.

They are. They come up bigger for me than the jumpsuit- I need a 16 in Ragan but could easily go to a 12 in the Alexa. Maybe to do with boobs. I wear a 14 in the original dungarees.

How thick are the Boden cotton tops - as in, if I had a white one, it wouldn't be see-through?

I went to M&S and tried these and the barrel legs on - my shape seems to love barrel leg!