Help this tired mum style going to the office!

[Meena50]

Hi, looking to go into the office (media) - 5ft 6, big boobs, apple belly but feels in proportion, good legs but want to avoid heels. I think im a cool winter (dark skin)

Any tips for cool, non frumpy outfits? I'm stuck in a time warp of coloured blazers and black cropped trousers which hug my belly so i look a bit like Janet Jackson from the 90s! What i need is a full look so top, bottom and shoes! What do young, less tired women wear? Whenever I'm in, i see myself in the bathroom mirror and think how unpolished/tired I look.

I love pastel looks on dark women generally but not sure how i could pull it off without looking too suity. So I end up with bright coloured tops and blazers and look dated and tired.

I tend to like New Look, River Island, H&M, Anthropologie, Zara and Mango.

Stylish workwear right now seems to be coming from

Arket

Cos

Studio Nicholson

<a class="break-all" href="https://eu.thefrankieshop.com/?utm_source=google&campaign_id=13335723095&ad_id=726596621880&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=VV_%7C_EU_%7C_Search_%7C_Brand_tROAS_%7C_Brand_%7C_High_Prio&utm_content=123781063340&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoNzABhDbARIsALfY8VOZce7KAMRRibtGe_UXFipDUuchsGnxhExDqm1OjIhImJncr7SGFYoaAolEEALw_wcB&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=13335723095&gbraid=0AAAAABV8dBuOUe-ypWlQyt8r-Ow2KyAah" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Frankie Shop

@TheRavenKingsDaughter these look so stylish! Love cos but not sure of colours, all so black.

What about shoes, do birkenstocks work?

Entirely depends on the specific culture of the office in question - but on the whole I’d say not. I was at a conference last week where dressing was very relaxed, but even there footwear was either very clean, smart trainers or proper shoes - loafers, brogues, Mary Jane’s, ballet flats.

@TheRavenKingsDaughter what sort of trainers would be considered smart and clean? Apologies for dumb question.

I'm thinking perhaps trousers, nice tops?

I’d hope someone else will come along to give you knowledgeable advice on trainers. Definitely not my area of expertise.

I wear some white Air Max 90’s to work & some black Nike Air Force 1’s with a white sole! But I am a Civil Servant so anything goes!

Head for wide flowing trousers (M&S), avoid black go for navy, tan, khaki or cream. These go well with pastel coloured, or white or cream or pale grey tops. Some linen blend voluminous striped shirts tucked in to wide trousers look smart but comfy. I'd recommend leather flatform trainers on feet. In white for summer. Long shirt dresses pulled in at the waist are easy and smart enough for work. Muted coloured blazers better than black or brights.

Thank you so much @Twattergy . I actually saw a friend today who was wearing cream trousers and a top and she looked so fresh and beautiful. Ive felt tired and samey in my black trousers look but you're right, anything other than black would really work. That link doesn't work so could you post a pic? Would flowy trousers make me look bigger?

It wasn't a link not sure why it became one!! With wide trousers you really need to go in store and try lots on. It's all about the cut. Softer fabrics are better. It shouldn't make you look bigger if it fits well on the hips and bum and sits at a good waist height..try a few different sizes and wear them as long as possible without dragging on the floor as this looks chic.

would this type of thing work? I have picked some wide trousers too. Im conscious about my stomach as well!

That should be perfect. The light colour looks really fresh.

(And not a single person beyond your mirror is going to be thinking about your middle in the course of the working day.)

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1259065008.html. ive purchased a few wide legged trousers but:

a: what tops to wear
b: what type of cover/blazer would work? I hate my stomach so I think longer line would work yet my kids laughed at the linen ones I tried 😅

Can you afford a session with a stylist? A good one will not only help you find clothes that suit but will explain why they have chosen certain pieces, so you can buy suitable clothes in future.

mine was very keen on wide leg pants for me as I am pear shaped. She also recommended big/bigger sleeves to counter balance the wide pants.

its also about the accessories. I would never wear Birkenstocks in a workplace. Definitely closed toe shoes for me at work.

@Notmyrealname22 I could probably get a stylist but I'm going through a blip where I'm feeling low about weight etc so I don't want to throw money at extras. I've had personal shoppers before like at Reiss but never ended up wearing too much of the stuff.

I think im apple shaped but my ex thought my bum was smaller. Chest is 38g and I tend to wear 18 on the bottom and I'm about 5ft 6. Can you recommend your stylist? I use mumsnet as a stylist!

You could try using chat GPT as a stylist? It made some good suggestions to me for workwear (and some bad ones to be fair) but I asked it to give me suggestions for items that were available in the shops now in my size and preferred colours and it was really helpful