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Back to the office! Plus size work wear?

74 replies

WhereDidSummerGoAgain · 02/11/2025 18:07

I've worked at home for a decade - and piled on the pounds!

I'm starting a new job soon, and it'll be in an office. I'm totally out of touch as to what people even wear to offices these days - help!

I'm size 24 with a huge tummy and large boobs. I like dresses. I only wear trousers or skirts if the top covers my stomach - I can't wear shirts tucked in, I'm just too round :(

What do you wear to the office?

Any tips on where to shop / what to wear gratefully received!

OP posts:
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WhereDidSummerGoAgain · 02/11/2025 21:08

gogglesandswimmers · 02/11/2025 20:25

Another option would be to go for plain dresses such as this from Boden
https://www.boden.com/products/amelie-jersey-dress-navy-2

You could add a Jacket to smarten it up.

I used to love Boden but sadly they stop at size 22 and I'm size 24 these days.

OP posts:
WhereDidSummerGoAgain · 02/11/2025 21:11

TitsInAbsentia · 02/11/2025 20:43

I def wouldn't spend too much until you've been in there and seen what others wear - agree vinted is a good place to start, get a couple of dresses (I find dresses easier to deal with, no worries about clashing colours/styles/prints) and some boots to tide you over. Midi length I find is pretty forgiving (no issues when bending over 😂). Also big no to leggings in an office environment unless it's somewhere very relaxed or creative.

Yes, totally agree I'm not going to spend too much before seeing what others wear, but I still need some clothes for the first week.

I'm feeling the pressure of making a good first impression!

OP posts:
WhereDidSummerGoAgain · 02/11/2025 21:14

JamesWebbSpaceTelescope · 02/11/2025 20:49

What is your budget?

Only goes upto 22 so might be too small but something like this? V-neck which is flattering to large boobs, tie waist to enhance waist.
https://www.hobbs.com/product/magnolia-dress/0125-5359-9045L00-CERISE-PINK.html#isShoeProduct=false&navAjax=true&is=true&cgid=sale-clothing-dresses&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=refinementSize&prefv1=22&pid=0125-5359-9045L00-CERISE-PINK&pos=6

Then you can pair with a longline cardigan or a blazer depending on how smart the place is. I like a blazer, turns a basic outfit into a smart work outfit and if you get a shaped one can give a good silhouette.

https://www.yoursclothing.co.uk/black-longline-blazer-p
https://www.marksandspencer.com/herringbone-blazer/p/clp23049729?color=NAVY#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r7c4%7Cprodflag_New

I love the style! 🥰 The colour is spot on, I like the buttons, collar and length, and you're right V necks look good with my boobs.

22 is sadly too small Sad.

The tie waist is irrelevant, though as the tie would go in the bin! I don't wear belts or sashes on dresses, they don't give me a waist, they just sit on my massive belly looking ridiculous! Plenty of the dresses I wear at home came with a belt / sash but I never wear them.

OP posts:
WhereDidSummerGoAgain · 02/11/2025 21:22

SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePlease · 02/11/2025 19:18

Absolutely, heels are out!

About time too! 😁
Bloody instruments of torture!!

OP posts:
Rosebud987 · 02/11/2025 21:34

I’m senior in legal. And I wear jeans with a bodysuit and blazer most days worn with a belt and trainers. If I’m in court I swap jeans for tailored trousers. Pre Covid I wore pencil skirts with heels and tailored suits with heels but nobody does anymore!

SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePlease · 02/11/2025 21:37

I’m also going to say try something outside your comfort zone… a jumpsuit! When I was a 20/22 (I’m apple shaped) I found a wide leg jumpsuit to be a pleasant surprise. New look and phase eight do some very flattering ones in a variety of sizes and styles.
I frequently paired a sleeveless v next wide leg navy jumpsuit with a duster style jacket (Wallis and phase eight) and slightly platform loafers or plain leather trainers.

BiddyPopthe2nd · 02/11/2025 21:37

I’m a 22 and round - I wear M&S trousers with their boatneck tops, Lands End plain tops or plain thin jumpers over the top and I have a range of jackets to put over those. Two of those 3 pieces will match and the 3rd is usually a contrasting colour - I have both navy and black trousers, a navy and a black jacket but also various more jewel colours in jackets, and the same (some navy/black and some colours) in my tops.

WhereDidSummerGoAgain · 03/11/2025 00:15

SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePlease · 02/11/2025 21:37

I’m also going to say try something outside your comfort zone… a jumpsuit! When I was a 20/22 (I’m apple shaped) I found a wide leg jumpsuit to be a pleasant surprise. New look and phase eight do some very flattering ones in a variety of sizes and styles.
I frequently paired a sleeveless v next wide leg navy jumpsuit with a duster style jacket (Wallis and phase eight) and slightly platform loafers or plain leather trainers.

I absolutely love the idea of a jumpsuit. But every time I try one on and look in the mirror, I look like a Teletubby!

If I ever manage to lose a serious amount of weight I'm going to buy a load of jumpsuits!

OP posts:
Lobleylimlam · 03/11/2025 00:27

Are you able to post a couple of pics of yourself? I feel it helps get the idea personally what looks good actually seeing someone! But i understand if youd rather not :)

Yellowcardigan · 03/11/2025 01:47

I tend to wear a block colour dresse with a simple shape, White Stuff or Seasalt usually, with tights and knee lenght leather boots.

If it's cold I add a long cardigan/jacket. I think a plain cardigan, long with no pockets, waterfall or shawl collar, can look reasonably smart, as long as it's the same colour as the dress.

I usually go for black dress and boots - it's a handy work uniform. I have a couple of jackets for smart, but I find it's hard to get one that doesn't add to my roundness, I feel I wear them to indicate that I am in professional mode.

In the summer I sometimes wear wide leg trousers and fittedish top in the same colour, often the tops a PP suggested, the MandS boatneck. I go a size up with the top so it skims rather than clings.

I dress it up with a jacket, dress down with a long waterfall type cardigan, all in the same colour, and wear with loafers.

I'd wear this in the winter too, but just can't find warm, comfortable smart trousers that fit me, like you I'm pretty round, and tights under summer trousers just feels weird.

I wouldn't advise any serious control underwear - too uncomfortable to sit in work all day. A slip will help a dress or skirt and top to skim rather than cling, so lots more comfortable.

Final word of advice - better to be a bit over dressed on your first day than under dressed.

Congrats on getting the job - you've overcome real bias against women, older women and larger women, so you must be excellent!

PutThatDownNow · 03/11/2025 02:23

I am mid-fifties, 22/24 (depending on brand), big boobs and belly. Senior civil service. After year if wide leg trousers and long tops, I have developed a uniform of dresses and boots for the office. I found Live Unlimited good, but some from Yours as well and now I am moving down sizes, Seasalt, White Stuff. I like a v neck dress that kind of skims the rest but gives a bit of shape. Then a jacket for warmth or to smarten up a bit more. Agree best not to spend too much until you are what other people are wearing. I have recently discovered that Vinted can be good for plus sizes, having assumed nothing on there would fit me, so that might be an option. Good luck.

GarlicHound · 03/11/2025 04:13

If you're still thinking trousers and a blouse, I really like the pleat-front Next blouse @FromTheFirstOldFashionedWeWereCursed linked upthread (did you run out of character spaces for your username?!) Get one that's big enough to sit properly over your bust - not stretched - and the pleat will fall straight as pictured, giving a smooth downward profile. It comes in good colours.

You could get yourself one of those boxy, jacket-like cardigans to match your trousers.

Congrats on the new job! Enjoy your first week.

WhereDidSummerGoAgain · 03/11/2025 06:29

Lobleylimlam · 03/11/2025 00:27

Are you able to post a couple of pics of yourself? I feel it helps get the idea personally what looks good actually seeing someone! But i understand if youd rather not :)

I'm too paranoid to post a pic, sorry! I imagine my new office will see it. Ridiculous I know!

Here's a picture of someone approximately my shape.

Back to the office! Plus size work wear?
OP posts:
WhereDidSummerGoAgain · 03/11/2025 06:31

Or kinda like this woman in terms of shape, but larger, and my belly hangs down more.

I don't hold a huge amount of weight in my arms, and although my thighs are huge these days, my calves aren't. It's all about my massive midriff.

Back to the office! Plus size work wear?
OP posts:
WhereDidSummerGoAgain · 03/11/2025 06:39

Last one for now. My arms are a bit slimmer, but my tummy a bit larger. She's wearing a dress which hides her tummy shape, which is what I tend to do also.

Back to the office! Plus size work wear?
OP posts:
WhereDidSummerGoAgain · 03/11/2025 06:41

GarlicHound · 03/11/2025 04:13

If you're still thinking trousers and a blouse, I really like the pleat-front Next blouse @FromTheFirstOldFashionedWeWereCursed linked upthread (did you run out of character spaces for your username?!) Get one that's big enough to sit properly over your bust - not stretched - and the pleat will fall straight as pictured, giving a smooth downward profile. It comes in good colours.

You could get yourself one of those boxy, jacket-like cardigans to match your trousers.

Congrats on the new job! Enjoy your first week.

I really like the style, but sadly it's not long enough. My belly hangs down, and that won't cover it Sad

OP posts:
WhereDidSummerGoAgain · 03/11/2025 06:47

Yellowcardigan · 03/11/2025 01:47

I tend to wear a block colour dresse with a simple shape, White Stuff or Seasalt usually, with tights and knee lenght leather boots.

If it's cold I add a long cardigan/jacket. I think a plain cardigan, long with no pockets, waterfall or shawl collar, can look reasonably smart, as long as it's the same colour as the dress.

I usually go for black dress and boots - it's a handy work uniform. I have a couple of jackets for smart, but I find it's hard to get one that doesn't add to my roundness, I feel I wear them to indicate that I am in professional mode.

In the summer I sometimes wear wide leg trousers and fittedish top in the same colour, often the tops a PP suggested, the MandS boatneck. I go a size up with the top so it skims rather than clings.

I dress it up with a jacket, dress down with a long waterfall type cardigan, all in the same colour, and wear with loafers.

I'd wear this in the winter too, but just can't find warm, comfortable smart trousers that fit me, like you I'm pretty round, and tights under summer trousers just feels weird.

I wouldn't advise any serious control underwear - too uncomfortable to sit in work all day. A slip will help a dress or skirt and top to skim rather than cling, so lots more comfortable.

Final word of advice - better to be a bit over dressed on your first day than under dressed.

Congrats on getting the job - you've overcome real bias against women, older women and larger women, so you must be excellent!

Thanks, some great advice here.

Totally agree with this Final word of advice - better to be a bit over dressed on your first day than under dressed.

Thanks also for your kind words you've overcome real bias against women, older women and larger women, so you must be excellent

This is the thing, they do know I'm older and they definitely know I'm a woman! But they've only met me online and I don't hold a lot of fat on my face or neck. So, they have NO IDEA how large I am - yet! 😂

OP posts:
WhereDidSummerGoAgain · 03/11/2025 06:50

GarlicHound · 03/11/2025 04:13

If you're still thinking trousers and a blouse, I really like the pleat-front Next blouse @FromTheFirstOldFashionedWeWereCursed linked upthread (did you run out of character spaces for your username?!) Get one that's big enough to sit properly over your bust - not stretched - and the pleat will fall straight as pictured, giving a smooth downward profile. It comes in good colours.

You could get yourself one of those boxy, jacket-like cardigans to match your trousers.

Congrats on the new job! Enjoy your first week.

Thanks! I'm feeling pretty positive about it at the moment, it's a good opportunity. Just gotta work out how do feel the part clothes-wise too!

OP posts:
WhereDidSummerGoAgain · 03/11/2025 06:51

PutThatDownNow · 03/11/2025 02:23

I am mid-fifties, 22/24 (depending on brand), big boobs and belly. Senior civil service. After year if wide leg trousers and long tops, I have developed a uniform of dresses and boots for the office. I found Live Unlimited good, but some from Yours as well and now I am moving down sizes, Seasalt, White Stuff. I like a v neck dress that kind of skims the rest but gives a bit of shape. Then a jacket for warmth or to smarten up a bit more. Agree best not to spend too much until you are what other people are wearing. I have recently discovered that Vinted can be good for plus sizes, having assumed nothing on there would fit me, so that might be an option. Good luck.

I'd forgotten about Live Unlimited and Yours, I'll have a look, thanks.

OP posts:
EleanorReally · 03/11/2025 07:36

all of my shirts cover my stomach, they sit just below the waist band,

ThatPinkShark · 03/11/2025 08:19

Wear a long dress!

Helfa · 03/11/2025 08:25

Have a look at Simply Be, online shopping for us larger ladies. And look on Vinted for the same brands they stock at bargain prices.