Help dress me for work, I have no idea!

[Officestyle]

After 10 years working from home wearing yoga pants & baggy hoodies, I’m going back to working in an office. I have absolutely no idea how to dress and very little funds. I’m mid-40s, 5ft 2in, size 10 with small boobs & chunky legs. I work in a creative industry so I don’t need to look too corporate, but I do want to look put together to create a good impression. Can anyone help a completely clueless & very tired slobby mum put together some looks please?!

Have you been to the office to see what others wear. Both my Sons where they work, most are dressed in jeans/trousers with trainers and sweatshirts. I always wore black trousers, low healed shoes, plain jumpers.

Is there a petite fashion influencer whose style you like? They often have links to the clothes they wear e.g.

www.shopltk.com/explore/ninaleacaine

For not much money you should be able to get a fairly complete work wardrobe from Uniqlo. Start with the:

Uniqlo : C collection

and then have a look at the other collabs - Uniqlo U, and J W Anderson in particular. That would give you a good plain slate to add your own personality to with accessories and grooming.

Wide leg short trousers from m&s. I wear mine with black Chelsea boots and tucked in tops with a blazer also mostly get jackets from next

@Lennonjingles Yes. I’ve worked in the industry for 25 years so I know what people wear, I’m just not sure how to dress myself!

Are you allowed to wear jeans? If so as it’s in the creative industry and not corp, i’d potentially go for wide leg jeans, fitted t shirt/ jumper and bright coloured suede trainers, gazelles/campus etc. if jeans are too casual, wide leg trousers, fitted top, and boots/trainers.

@Christine1998 Yes to jeans.

@Christine1998 Posted too soon. Yes to jeans & trainers, but I’d like to look a bit more put together for client meetings & I’m entirely useless at building an outfit (I look back & cringe at some of the outfits I used to wear to work, mostly dresses that really didn’t suit me, always with the wrong accessories).

Many offices are so much more casual post Covid. Uniqlo is a good shout for some basics. Go to the shops and try lots of things on.

Trousers, chunky loafers, socks, knitwear would be my go to at this time of year.

i got some barrel leg trousers from Uniqlo recently that I tried on a whim and really like them. They do a dark denim version too. If you can get away with denim, dark denim is a good option at this time of year as it can be on the smarter end of smart casual.

I have short legs but cropped trousers work better on me. Though I often have to take things up. I got some wide leg cords from M&S which now sit on the ankle. I like them with loafers, shirt and a knitted tank top.

Zara and mango can be good, quality isn’t always amazing, but you can get a few things cheaply to create different looks.

Definitely have a search of the fashion/style influencers on instagram. Yes, they get paid to promote brands, but if you see something you like, rather than buying something you’re not sure about because an influencer says it’s in style then that’s ok.

The wide leg M&S jersey trousers - priced around £19-50 I think . Look smart and so comfortable . Team with plain tees and tank top / jumper / cardigan as season dictates.
short blazer or biker jacket if you have one . Plain classic winter coat also work well with them .
Smart trainers if budget permits or boots or plain pumps . That outfit will take you anywhere until you have more of a budget or get more of a feel for what everyone wears.

If you can go to a shop like uniqlo at a quiet time you can ask them to help you choose two complete work outfits. They will help find things that suit your body type.
You could also try a personal shopper at somewhere like John Lewis giving them a budget and a clear brief. They will know all the petite options.

My work wardrobe has wide leg trousers from M&S, fitted top t shirt type tops, a nice chunky cardigan, a couple of thinner ones in different colours, two dresses, a black skirt and some smart shoes plus coloured trainers

I'm in the creative world and in my experience nobody dresses up at all not even for meetings. If like me you'd hate to feel overdressed I'd keep it smart but casual - more nice trainers and wide leg trousers than blazers or loafers. Jumpsuits seem to be popular and I always think chunky boots look good.

Wide leg trousers, skinny top and blazer to put on for client meetings. Smart trainers or loafers.

been there done that with the look back and cringe 😂 tho don’t forget at the time we will have been in fashion and same as everyone else probs. I’m not much diff to you in height and also have small boobs. My go to tend to be midi dresses or midi skirt with fitted top with either trainers or chunky Chelsea boots when weather allows. When it’s colder I tend to be in a mini skirt/usually faux leather, fitted top or chunky jumper, opaque tights and Chelsea boots. Occasionally pleated skirts again with a fitted top. I’ve also recently bought compact knit wide leg trousers (had to turn have turned uo 😂) and wear those with a fitted t shirt and trainers. I’m sure once you get back into the office and see what others are wearing you will find your style, it’s only because you’ve been wfh for so long you’re out of the habit. My go to shops tend to me new look/river island/primark and Tesco. You don’t have to spend a fortune.