What do you wear to work if you are fat, fifty and fookin boiling hot?

[SodOffbacktoaibu]

I'm eyeing up my wardrobe, wondering what the hell to wear to work in the next couple of days when I have visitors at work.

It's not a suit environment so casual is ok but I would like to look cool and not a sweaty and uncomfortable blob.

Maxi dresses all seem either too strappy or frilly and flouncy.

I do trainers and DMS, so I'm not particularly a dressy person. Bit alternative perhaps. I like a lot of black or monochrome. I don't mind some bright colours. I don't do patterns and fussy stuff.

Style and beauty is not my usual stomping ground!

OP, do you ever shop on Asos? I find their search filters really useful for honing in on what I’m looking for. There’s a lot of choice on there which can be overwhelming but if you’re filtering by colour, sleeve length, dress length, neckline, size in stock, price band, etc. etc. then it really narrows it down for you!

I think all these are office appropriate and would go with trainers or DMs, and this is just what was in their plus size range, a lot of the main collection goes to size 18 so you can shop by clothing category for more choice.

Dress 1
Dress 2
Dress 3
Dress 4

Alexa trousers from Lucy & Yak in plan colours.

Linen shirt dresses from Seasalt and Uniqlo - Uniqlo is very affordable and good quality.

I ordered that Uniqlo one and it was lovely, nice fabric, but unfortunately not big enough on the bust for me or a flattering cut for a big bust and I'm very top heavy, so a bigger size would have been too big elsewhere. I would recommend it for people who aren't a J cup.

Linen mix trousers - wide legs - I used to get them from next and they were my summer staple for years. Go with almost any top.

im a firm believer that the RL dress will be cheaper per wear tho.

Linen trousers and short sleeved cotton top works best in this weather. Prevents the sweaty things chafing situation too.

www.peacocks.co.uk/4805170-black-plain.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=22382759257__&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22372813581&gbraid=0AAAAADqaue1fUMoBaNRcq543iXWUD6iGj&gclid=CjwKCAjw6s7CBhACEiwAuHQcks_KA4J3DaF22az37pBXyoLWonpFjctyeuy1TQToPjGG2ljHEv-shRoCvdwQAvD_BwE

That " Made in Italy" stuff. Cheap as chips,loose and flowing and doesn't need ironing.

poetry is having a sale!

https://www.poetryfashion.co.uk/product-UX18-POESDS/colour-l-soft-orange/dresses-skirts/linen-tuckdetail-dress.htm

Ah Poetry is so lovely, but so expensive even in sale!

I agree. For work I really think that black or navy linen trousers work really well.

George at Asda do a good range, larger sizes and reasonably priced, but a lot of them are in viscose.
I like this one as it looks smart but cool
https://direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/cream-postcard-short-sleeve-tiered-maxi-dress/GEM1290713,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C1

I’m all 3 of those things OP, and I’m currently favouring a navy - possibly linen/cotton mix? - jumpsuit from Matalan. It’s surprisingly flattering given that I’m the shape of a barrel, and it’s lovely and cool. Need to get another one for when its in the wash!

Next have got some 100% cotton dresses in atm and have many from yours which is great for larger fit.

I was having a good scroll at what I’d buy if I could afford it last night 😂

Here you go but its sold out online. Hoping there’s some left in store!

I really like this from Tu. www.argos.co.uk/product/tuc145604673

https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350344153.aspx?dim1=1&dim2=4&cod=SHP00201051UK&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21584686487&gclid=CjwKCAjw6s7CBhACEiwAuHQckuaXcF3rI9GOwkkByGmibCzMvIWcsJsp7AQUipyEnJe70_0FIByDcBoCs9QQAvD_BwE

shirt dresses with sandals or boots

I like wide or straight legged linen trousers with a plain tee, a statement tee, or a floaty tunic of some description, with flat shoes, loafers, trainers, plimsolls, ballet flats or sandals depending on your preference.

I'm 49 and also short and fat and appear to have have a much more alternative look than most Mumsnetters. I buy loads of dresses from Disturbia - they do good plain black options and lots of good prints too - and usually wear them with Doc Marten boots, platform Converse or chunky sandals. Their stuff ranges from very alternative to much more versatile styles. I also have a few pairs of wide or culotte-style trousers from there which I tend to wear with either a fitted t-shirt, a vest top with a shirt worn over it like a jacket, or a loose top tucked into a wide belt. I also wear loose-ish ankle grazer jeans with a black cheesecloth shirt, sleeves rolled up, with chunky sandals or trainers. Or sometimes a vest top with a kind of kimono wrap thing and jeans.

Snag chub rub shorts are a must for me.

Midi dress/skirt for me, usually just plain black or lightly patterned. Tshirt with the skirt or wide leg trousers, thick strap vest top if very hot.

I’ve got a pair of DM sandals that alternative/“cool” everything up for me, and they’re a god send.

I like them on other people but the amount I need to wee puts me off 🤭

@bookworm60 It's that shape I don't like. Why do they have like a flouncey tier at the bottom? So many like this. Just too fussy for me.

Disturbia are a lovely brand but feeling a bit young for me now and some of the fabrics aren't natural enough.

I'm going to order that black one from next with he twisty front. Ty to person who posted it.

Some great suggestions. I'm not sure about the next trousers and top. I kind of like them, bit like PJ's but fear I'm too fat to pull it off. It'd show all lumps and bumps.

Thanks for the reminder about the floaty, Italian stuff @mycatismyworld Funnily enough, my friend reminded me about those and I just ordered a dress from kit and kaboodle! It's basically a flimsy potato sack but I like it enough 😁

I don't belong on the style and beauty board 🤭🙈

I have a combination of my usual M&S trouser shape but a lighter fabric, and some M&S/Uniqlo linen trousers.

i tend towards the M&S boatneck, 3/4 sleeve tops generally, but have a handful in sleeveless. And a couple of linen tops.

I need to wear jackets, but I have 1 M&S unlined viscose jacket, an M&S linen jacket and a H&M linen jacket for summer heat.

I also have a couple of linen dresses gathered over the years to offset on less formal days.

I have found that wearing natural fabrics really helps in the heat …as. 50’s, hormonal, size 20-22 person who often has to deal with relatively high temps and stayed “suited and booted”.

If you want something for tomorrow Google Sainsbury maxi dresses, there's a black one on there that looks cool, and plain enough to make it 'you' with your footwear of choice and some cool jewelry if that's your thing.

Could you share some examples?

I’m only 44 but I’m a big lass and I wear voluminous short- or mid-sleeved shirt dresses.