Help short and fat me find a business/business casual outfit

[Pierpointer]

I’m going back to the office for the first time since 2019 and I’ve had four babies since then. I’m just going in for one day, but it’s a very important one and I need to feel confident and make an excellent impression.

I used to wear pencil skirts and blouses, shift dresses, and even suits but the office dress code, and my body, have totally changed since then so I have no idea what to wear. It’s a male-dominated office and they no longer wear ties, mostly shirts and trousers, the odd “finance-bro gilet” 😂

I would like a classic or reasonably up to date look, but nothing overly stylish, no bright colours, nothing that would make me stand out too much. Probably trousers but I’m not averse to a dress or skirt.

I’m about a size 18. Very pear shaped but the twins certainly put paid to what used to be a relatively flat stomach so now I’m quite self conscious in that area too. Boobs are decent in size but totally deflated. I’m 163cm tall so between 5ft 4 and 5ft 5.

Please help! I would be especially grateful for very flattering looks as I’m really self conscious about size and shape now.

ETA: budget around £100. I already have plenty of suitable shoes (flats and low heels), handbags, jackets and coats. I usually shop at places like M&S.

These are lovely! What is the right leg length for 5’4 at M&S?

The Fold has some gorgeous tops in the sale that you could buy for under £100. Really stylish work wear. Could you wear one with a pair of trousers you already own?

are you buying the trousers in mole or black?
tip: order a load of things from there on click & collect then try it all on in the store and immediately return anything you don't want to keep,

@Pierpointer , the New Look dress is fine but Model: 5'9/175cm and wears UK 8
It won't look like that on you or me.

I'd be looking at women who are about your size and shape and what works for them. (They don't need to be famous, but I'd be thinking Princess Eugenie not Princess Catherine)

I'm about your height but probably much older. I tend to wear dresses - they're easy as it's only one garment. I go for cotton ones. Might be a shirtdress or loose style (I'm an inverted triangle).
Opaque tights and ankle boots.

Also wear striped shirt and pencil skirt, long sleeved smart t-shirt or cardigan with bright skirt, but currently don't have footwear to go with them unless I wear heels.
On dress down days, dark indigo jeans or olive chinos.

It's probably more smart casual where I work, but when I worked somewhere more business casual, what I wore was fairly similar.

Shops: Charity shops, ebay/vinted, M&S, Uniqlo, Tu, (occasionally New Look, H&M, Zara, Seasalt mainly because they are on the high street)
Vibe aimed for: Plumo brands, Toast.

@Shellythesnail2333 I am short at 5 ft 3 and have them in regular length but I was thinking yesterday actually I’m not sure they are quite right - neither long enough or short enough iyswim.

@Pierpointer re colour of top, what colours suit you best? I must say I tend to wear cream or tan with black because both look fine on me and they are pretty much the only black thing in my wardrobe. I wish they did them in navy as I wear a lot of blues and greens and I am not a fan of black with the kind of colours that usually suit me.

The only dress that I have ever had strangers tell me I looked good in was a Seasalt. Some of the fabrics/colours may not be to your taste but if I was still working I would be getting these

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/coastline-jersey-shirt-midi-dress

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/trenkan-shirt-dress

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/chapelle-longer-sleeve-organic-cotton-jersey-dress

I'm a similar height to you but more a size 20/22 and a lot older. They always hang well

Those trousers are lovely but because they are quite a relaxed cut if you are going to wear these you will need a slim fitting top which you tuck in, and if you are self conscious of your tummy and bum which is what I’m getting from your opening post I think you might struggle with this. But if you try and wear a tunic or untucked larger shirt thinking it will skim the area, you will in reality end up looking much bigger and also a bit unfinished.

I’ve got a couple of colleagues with your shape and height and they tend to look good in knee length dresses with a relaxed fit, opaque tights and boots with a low heel or flat boots. Court shoes look a bit old fashioned for that look and knee length boots are hard if you have heavier legs.

Perhaps something like this - you can be adventurous with colour or accessories if you get a flattering shape as a base

www.phase-eight.com/product/esi-eyelet-tunic-dress-209190891.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=google_ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NEST_PhaseEight_UK_EN_BoF_PerformanceMax_Exploratory&utm_id=23196433182&utm_content=agid_-ad_&network=x&device=m&utm_tpl=live&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23196470835&gbraid=0AAAAADumyC-soy4OWS84G-cWbzVtXo8bc&gclid=CjwKCAiA4KfLBhB0EiwAUY7GAWpcM3DqDv0tE--5t0DvqXqmxS_UMKq76sr6L00Oy5qR8Jj-stI3xBoCEs0QAvD_BwE

Sorry but this is such an outdated style!

Would you feel comfortable tucking in a shirt or tshirt to those trousers?

I like it!

It wouldn't suit me because of my body shape but I'd admire it on someone else.

I'm a similar size and height. My go to for work recently have been Hobbs dresses similar to this which I wear with knee high boots. Makes me feel both comfortable and smart.
When it's cold I add a long line cardigan.
Get mine usually in the John Lewis sales but just wanted to show the style www.hobbs.com/product/petite-alisa-dress/0126-5340-9045L03-BLUE-SANDSTONE.html

I am a similar build and work in finance with the gilet brigade and my default is smart dresses. Hobbs, LK Bennett and Karen Millen are good and I have had some real bargains on Vinted. Sleeveless ones are great since I wear them with a shirt under them and a jacket during winter

This one is down to £60 in the sale
Dresses | Plus Size Viscose Linen Tailored Statement Button Front Pencil Midi Dress | KarenMillen

All of this feels very smart - I'd feel very OTT in my office but I guess we're quite casual.

OP I wouldn't spend too much until you've been in a couple of times and can gauge what other people are wearing. Personally (as a similar size and a bit shorter) I love M&S and also Sainsburys but while I like the styles in Uniqlo a lot I don't think they cut for curves.

My tip would be to get your hair and/or nails done - that would make me feel much more confident and once you've settled in I think you'll naturally get a feel for what would work.

Nice enough dress but sleeveless dresses aren't suitable as officewear IMO.

I know it’s cheap but what about this? I’m looking for dresses now instead of trousers.

I know I could spend more, but I genuinely like the style and pattern of this.

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc147026897

I think the quilted collarless jacket is your friend here Something like this:.
https://www.whistles.com/product/214754.html

I like it because:l 1) it saves me from the capricious nature of air conditioning without being a mumsy cardigan 2) looks slimming as the whole expanse of jumper/t shirt/dress is reduced & it makes it less clear exactly how fat the general tummy area is

I just wear it with cotton trousers, a short sleeved knitted top and some trainers. Accessorise with nice belt, necklace, bracelet. But it would work with most of the dresses above. Probably any dress you already have in your wardrobe.

My experience (size 20, 5 ft 1) is patterned dresses don't work. Best to stick to plain. Use jewellery to make them less boring.

Can you afford to order a few things, try on and send back so you dont keep stufd worth more than £100? If so order it and try it.

Also, wear colours that really suit you and none that don't - it really makes a difference

That dress is ok, I’ve seen it in store and debated buying it but figured it was too similar to a couple of other dresses I own.

I don't know if you have the same challenges exactly as short fat me. I have ridiculous cleavage to contend with, and there is no such thing as a dress that suits. I was directed to Skipper neck blouses at Uniqlo. Real game changer work clothing wise for me.

Okay how about this blouse from Uniqlo (thank you for the direction @Mcdhotchoc )

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E479073-000/00?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18136599736&gbraid=0AAAAADM0H6gk3injqtsGo75ah5Vh3rZfi&gclid=CjwKCAiA4KfLBhB0EiwAUY7GAZBNrHK7uwQGUghSwQLTMfB0lvBVm8d9yZakdhYXAOoWuJne5GzQlxoClT0QAvD_BwE&colorDisplayCode=00&sizeDisplayCode=003

tucked into these wide leg trousers from Tu (safer bet than the barrel leg from M&S?)

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc146148921?rec=undefined:undefined:undefined:undefined:undefined:tuc146148921

And in terms of managing the tucked in look - I am planning to wear my best shapewear and I do still have waist so I tend to think it looks okay on me. Or I could wear a blouse like that with tapered trousers and not tuck in?

I think your idea of wide leg trousers with a tucked in/french tuck look blouse would be very flattering and give a better balance than the tapered trouser and untucked blouse. Also more fashionable.

(Just to add I have the Marks and Spencer black barrel leg trousers and am a large size and they're incredibly flattering - I plan to wear them with ballet flats and a french tuck silk blouse or cashmere sweater). A silk blouse always looks good and might be something you might consider? Another option could be some sort of fairly cropped, or waisted blazer - they're pretty flattering with either wide or barrel leg trousers.