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.

I like those @Pierpointer but I think you do need to tuck in to keep it neat (I don’t mean as in tidy, I mean as in sort of pulled together).

I am a great fan of Tu if you look carefully. I have 2 shirts from there that I always get compliments on. Both cotton.

as another trouser recommendation, the Livy trousers from hollister are v easy to wear (and yes I know Hollister but work with me). They are incredibly kind to a generous lower tummy. I think they may have stopped doing them this year but look on vinted.

re tucking, I was fearful too but actually to your point if you have a waist, it gives you a more defined shape. I found the key to feeling confident is to make sure it doesn’t cling to my tummy (my tummy weight sits below the waist) and sometimes that does mean sizing up.

I do also have a couple of shirt dresses and they work well but I don’t love tights so I prefer trousers. I used to love a jersey wrap dress/knee length boot combo of 15 years ago!

Right I’m sorted, hopefully. I’ve ordered some bits and bobs, click and collect on Sunday. I’ll try and remember to come and update you all, with photos!

Thank you all!

@UpMyself Yep - that is why I wear a shirt under them (wouldn't if I had splendidly toned arms though - like some of the women I work with!)

I don't tuck in that blouse, it's quite well shaped so you will prob find it sits well without the tuck. Hope you like it. I was pointed to it by mumsnet and have it in every colour!

I would buy a few long length cardigans/coatigans (knee length, no buttons or belts), possibly with handkerchief hems. Wear over trousers and hip skimming tops to give yourself a streamline look. Comfortable flat shoes

I think that looks lovely op 😙(Also a short size 18 here)

Belted shirt dresses do NOTHING for larger women with tummies. I speak from experience.

im 4ft 11 and a size 16.

firstly - wow 4 babies in 6 years - thats amazing.

I have recently started buying tow brans of dresses on vinted that look nice on me but are far from what I have been brave enough ot wear befroe.

Pink city prints and Kemi Telford

I usually get them for around £100

I fin dresses look best on me rather than trousers and I wear boots iwth them

I borrowed a pair of my size 16 daughters wide leg black M&S trousers for a funeral yesterday I was surprised how flattering they were

You're getting lots of suggestions for your budget and suggesting much cheaper options. Maybe it's not that deep but I'd suggest spending the money on something great to tell yourself you're worth it. It's so easy to get the cheaper option to focus on spending on the kids, or to say you'll get the nicer option when they're older and you've lost the baby weight, or whatever. You deserve to feel valued too.

Anyway I'm not the right shape or size to help but struggling with work wear after young kids too so thanks for asking the question.

Hi OP! I was the same post Covid - I laugh now at the tight pencil skirts and high heels I used to wear 😂

so they might not be this exact pair https://www.marksandspencer.com/crepe-tab-detail-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60579903?color=BLACK#intid=carousel_FUNH_AT_PHOENIX-MOST-SIMILAR-V2_END_PDP_14_1:91fc6b7b-7e9d-42a2-9b50-40d64ab171aa

but I have some heavy / thick crepe trousers from M&S that look very smooth on across the waist. The wide leg balances things out a bit. Also a bit of stretch so post lunch I still feel comfortable. Then maybe a roll neck thin jumper? Do your nails and hair. Some small earrings etc to feel smart / groomed but not over done.

navy or black are always easy and classic. I feel like unless a dress fits really well - unless it’s a cotton one in summer then I don’t feel very put together

good luck with your day in the office x

These are lovely! Try with a tucked in thin roll neck sweater… or a blouse that drapes rather than a shirt x

Agreed

I’m a similar size to op and height and i feel like those pleats wouln’t help my tummy? Id love to be wrong ?

These look flattering !!

I agree!!

I find that where the trousers actually lay flat in the middle & they are high waisted, they are flattering. The pleats are to the sides / slightly lower. It kind of balances things if that makes sense and looks better than a pair that follow the outline of my tummy… when you stand it’s like a column shape then the extra fabric in the pleat moves when you walk/sit.

Ok thanks I might give them a try !

I'm tall, but also have big boobs & a tummy Like you, OP. I find trousers trickier than skirts or dresses - anything that flares away from the stomach area is more flattering. One of my most versatile dresses is a Toast shirt-dress that is short-sleeved dark/indigo denim, in a simple over-the-knee A-line shape. It came with a matching fabric tie belt but I don't bother with it. By sticking to crisp dark denim, with no clinginess to it, I feel very comfortable in it & never worry about lumps or bumps (which definitely helps with confidence!!). If even indigo denim is out in your office setting - though I think it sounds perfectly suitable - you could look for a jersey A-line dress instead? I do think some of the options above are verging on staid ... & I'm 58!!

I found mine on eBay, but will post an image to give you an idea of the style I mean. It's so easy to dress up with gold earrings, a smart bag & knee-high heeled boots. It's also easy to slip a fine long-sleeved knit below in a different colour.

Some other variations on the dark denim shirtdress theme, all on or below budget & I think in your size too. I might now go off & order the COS & Jigsaw ones myself!! The Jasper Conrad & Seasalt ones would be too short on me (I prefer my knees covered!), but should be over-the-knee on you, OP?

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/products/denim-lyocell-belted-dress-indigo

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/guidebook-denim-shirt-dress

https://www.jasperconran.com/products/frederica-straight-skirt-denim-shirt-dress

https://cos-frontend-prd.prd.mcs.hmgroup.tech/en-gb/women/womenswear/dresses/mididresses/product/denim-utility-midi-shirt-dress-dark-blue-1312641001

Whistles does a petite range. This dress is styled for summer but could work equally well in winter. Tan knee-high boots with your tan bag would be really nice.

https://www.whistles.com/product/amber-midi-dress-36889.html

A couple more Whistles petite dresses in your size. As one poster said, wearing the colours you look great in (not just ok in) really helps. So if blue isn't your colour, ignore the first one!

https://www.whistles.com/product/feathered-wing-marnie-dress-39487.html

I've had this or similar to it in the past, & it skims over all the awkward bits!

https://www.whistles.com/product/melanie-dress-40043.html

This is nice

www.hobbs.com/product/clarice-jersey-dress/0126-5171-3669L00-NAVY-MULTI.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=google_ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NEST_Hobbs_UK_EN_BoF_Shopping_Brand&utm_id=22300217733&utm_content=agid_171138532490-ad_736662908342&network=g&device=m&targetid=aud-2427514662213%3Apla-293946777986&utm_tpl=live&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22300217733&gbraid=0AAAAADC5o-IPMOQejT51-OSSCddm0ioWx&gclid=CjwKCAiA4KfLBhB0EiwAUY7GAYdGma1yY3SYdYBshGsM0jlJ7LidNl9z3XptvYUdU39fZuxYvRRQVBoCJrIQAvD_BwE

The emphasis on size 18 made it a rude and patronising post.