Back to the office! Plus size work wear?

[WhereDidSummerGoAgain]

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!

Lindsey Baker on youtube has lots of ideas for plussize + apron belly

She's worth a look for ideas!

Congrats on the new job

@itslindss

I’m Lindsey, aka the Apron Belly Girlie — helping plus size women style their bodies with confidence. I create outfit breakdowns, fit guides, and real-world styling help for apron bellies, large busts, and bodies that don’t match the fashion norm. I rank #1 on Google for “apron belly outfits” — and I use that visibility to give you honest outfit help, no shapewear lies, and zero fluff. I have an apron belly and spent years thinking I had to hide it. Now I show up online exactly as I am — not as a “before,” not as a project, but as a person. If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and felt stuck between wanting to feel good and not knowing where to start, you’ll feel at home here. This space is about plus-size style, body neutrality, and finding ease in a body that’s been through a lot. Not because we’ve figured it all out — but because we’re allowed to show up anyway.

Ooh, that's lovely and right up my street! More that I was planning to spend, but it's not often I start a new job, right?!

Well OK. Clearly your tummy doesn't come down as far as mine then!

Shirts that end just below the waist band will end in the middle of my tummy, not below it!

Thanks, I'll take a look :)

Similar shape, similar problems!

Live Unlimited are good, I have a couple of dresses from them that are lovely material and cut well. Weirdly, some of the best work wear I have are from Tesco and Asda, it’s worth a trip to both.

Day 1 I would probably wear a dress, same length cardi, thick tights and flat shoes. Tidy hair, makeup, statement jewellery.

Then you can sneak in the DMs and trainers over the next few days so that they get used to the real you!

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/herb-garden-knee-length-organic-cotton-cord-dress

This is comfy and might fit the bill. Thick tights and away we go!

Or this is knee length on me (5ft)

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/port-gaverne-soft-corduroy-tunic

Another vote for M&S - they have lovely fine knits in the colours you mentioned that would be nice with a dress or trousers.

Have you been in recently to see what others are wearing? I wear trousers (M&S for me for fit and length as short) and then generally plain tops but its very fade into the background. I have recently been buying a few things from charity shops for work events and such - find there is more in larger sizes these days as people use munjaro et al and all shrink out of their bigger sizes - lol. I have been grateful for this as replacing a whole wardrobe when you shrink is expensive. But I would dress for comfort - not sure if you do any client facing work but I have a couple of generic black jackets still which I use. A french friend of mine used to say so long as the shoes and jacket are good you can get away with anything else

@WhereDidSummerGoAgain try the Simply Be website. I buy lots of Joe Browns dresses via them that Joe Browns don't sell on their own website as they only go to size 18! They have agreement with Simply Be for sizes above an 18. Hope you find something.

Would you wear something like this, it’s available in some of the colours you mentioned?

Love the idea of sneaking in the real me by stealth 😁

It's a new job. I have no idea what the dress code is! 😭

I suspect they're relatively laid back, but I want to go smart in the first week, especially as I'm managing 4 staff, so I want to make a good first impression when I first meet them.

All three men at my interviews wore shirts but unbuttoned / no tie. Not met a single woman, yet. (Plenty on the team!)

Good tip, thanks!

I like this a lot, where's it from?

However, this is something I'd wear at home / casually - or maybe later on, at work once I've let the real me out!

I'm not one of those people who always looks effortlessly neat & tidy!

I usually end up looking pretty disheveled unless I put a lot of effort into it!

I think I need to err on the smarter side to look professional, at least at first.

It’s from Yours, I thought it may work for Fridays if they are a bit more casual. Yours is really good for covering low aprons.

Sorry if I've missed it upthread, but what kind of environment will you be working in? A corporate law firm in the city will be very different to a logistics manager in Sheffield, for example, in terms of how formal/suited and booted you'll need to be.

Definitely not a corporate law firm!

It's a not for profit - education sector and publishing. I expect it may well be fairly casual once I settle in, but I want to make a good impression at first, at least.

I'm liking this best so far!

What kind of shoes / jacket would go with a dress like this?

Where do you work? If it’s high end corporate then try Marina Rinaldi - the sizing can be large in certain styles.

I would go with a navy blazer for versatility but less harsh than black.

https://www.johnlewis.com/joules-textured-single-breasted-blazer/navy/p114131082

https://www.johnlewis.com/mango-bergen-single-breasted-stripe-blazer/p113979087

Simply be link

or to dress down slightly a smart navy cardigan. The softer drape can be more flattering

Very link
https://www.evans.co.uk/yours-curve-black-contrast-knitted-cardigan-p

I would wear brown brogues or penny loafers but I’m not shoe stylish.

Remember to post a photo of your winning outfit!

That's lovely!! You should absolutely buy that one. (Can't answer your question about styling it, but it's a winner of a dress)

I love Hobbs for work dresses ! I tend to go to their shop in real life as fit can be variable.
I’ve had three boys and am living in a totally different body now -so I feel you.

Popsy go up to size 24 and their sizing is pretty generous as well. Lots of lowly dresses