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.

This looks great I ´ve got a dress like this from Kaffe but more summery .

I think that’s maybe size sensitivity, I’ve been an 18 and didn’t read it like that.

I’d go for a belted dress, flat shoes and a cardigan, but you could depending on how smart you need to be go for boots and a jacket instead
https://www.wallis.co.uk/product/wallis-petite-ponte-snaffle-trim-midi-dress_byy16894?colour=wine&size=18&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21371827626&gbraid=0AAAAABeX2nf8CYrlGo_0_OQ3uZxg9aBpw&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-pmGwJ2SkgMVnKNQBh377QEmEAQYAiABEgJ0U_D_BwE

I’m not sure of the budget but Louise Rednapp at peacocks has some high street shirts and blazers. H&M, next and marks and Spencers bigger stores are all good for work wear. A good handbag shoes, coat and styled hair will make you more confident about your choices. I know what you mean about office dress code 10 years ago it had to be smart but now most offices allow jeans and slouchy tops.

Whistles does a petite range. OP isn't petite. I'm nor sure what height Whistles considers 'petite' but most companies seem to use up to 5'2" or 5'3".

The arm holes, bust darts, waist position etc will be scaled down.

I usually go for a midi dress with long boots, I’ve got a few in various animal type prints and plain which I can chuck a blazer over. Also a wide leg trouser with said blazer with a plain tee type top with plain pumps or trainers to make feel less “corporate”, whilst still feeling smart/office ready. To add I’m a 20/22. Can’t wait to be an 18 again soon 🙏. I tend to keep 3 or so outfits on rotation each season so it’s less stress. Hope that’s helpful OP x

That is a nice flattering dress. Easy to wear, smart for office but not ott. Perfect to make a good impression. I'd wear it with boots ATM with 1 inch heels.

Love that dress, I would have ordered it if went up to my size 🙁

There's an awful lot of snobbery on here about buying from certain shops. Not everyone can afford high end high street and not everyone wants to shop on vinted. I also prefer actually feeling the clothes so uniqlo is out for me.

For what it's worth I get a lot of my workwear trousers from Next, they (unlike everywhere else) still do a decent selection of workwear clothes. H&M is another place that tends to have some decent bits (they had some nice work dresses last year, I can't get my boobs in standard dresses or I can but the rest will be baggy). I recently bought a black pair of trousers from TU, not as nice quality as Next mind you but they look good and weren't expensive.

@Sesquipedahlia , I don't think there was anything wrong with your post (15/01/2026 17:20).

@MissyMooPoo2 , I disagree.

No, she's not strictly speaking petite, but does describe herself as "short & fat" & is only a couple of inches taller than the usual 5'3" benchmark for petite ranges. And she says that dresses always seem to be too long on her.

Several of the brands I mentioned - Jigsaw, COS, the normal Whistles range - are usually the right length for me at 5'9" or so. So I'd assume they're likely to need alteration for the OP - unless they're a style that's above the knee on a taller woman so they'll sit below it on the OP.

Also, re darts, bodice length etc - you'll see that the dresses from the Whistles petite range that I posted are unfitted - they don't have waist darts.

@xSideshowAuntSallyXx , There's an awful lot of snobbery on here about buying from certain shops.
I agree. It seems to be a few favoured brands and some brands get slagged off along with a 'I've not been in there for 15 years".

Not everyone can afford high end high street and not everyone wants to shop on vinted.
I've had nice things from Primark and New Look, and like the shops. They're convenient and I can browse.

I also prefer actually feeling the clothes so uniqlo is out for me.
Looking at the fabric composition and zooming in on the image helps

I don't care if my clothes are from a charity shop, high street or ebay. What matters is does it fit, does it suit me and will I wear it.

@EleanorMc67 , Also, re darts, bodice length etc - you'll see that the dresses from the Whistles petite range that I posted are unfitted - they don't have waist darts. The armholes, especially depending on weight distribution (upper arms, back), might be an issue.

I'm slightly (about 1-2.5 cm) shorter than OP but 'petite' generally doesn't fit me. I rarely need my clothes altered. Where possible, I buy in person not online.

My height of around 5ft 4 to 5ft 5, despite being pretty average, is annoying because it’s not quite short enough for petite, but is too short for regular length trousers and dresses. In my case, I think I have disproportionately short legs. I measured my inside leg and it’s 29in so the short/petite length for M&S trousers.

I think dresses are harder to get "right", they're just less decisions to make so can be an easy default option. Some of these upthread are interesting choices for sure.

I am also behind the wide leg trousers, I'd go a shirt or blouse with sleeves rolled up, in a colour similar or same as the trousers. Use hair ties on your elbows to keep the sleeves rolled up. Couple of weighty bangles and some medium hoops. It's a bloody nightmare changing shape and size and age and life stage, you're definintely not alone.

Could you hop on Instagram and check out mid size/ mid life style accounts, there are loads, and get a bit of an idea where you'd like to be heading. Look at what Mary Portas wears, no she's not mid size, but she's bang on the style front. I don't think you can go far wrong with M+S at the moment for basics. Sounds like you're sorted.

@Pierpointer , where do you normally shop other than M&S? My inside leg measurement is the same as yours but I don't normally need to have skirts, dresses, jeans or trousers shortened.

I've not shopped at M&S recently but I guess I'm not 'Regular' leg length. Are the 'Short ' leg length clothes proportionately short elsewhere in the garment?

You don’t need to be stylish in an office environment . You just need to look presentable. You are there to work and yes to represent but you merely need to look presentable.

i would get some trousers (wide leg for me) a blazer, coloured or neutral top and pop on the jewellery . Make sure your hair is neat and maybe get your nails done to give you some confidence .’

Your people skills could use some work.

OP - another neat slightly A-line dress that would be versatile with pumps or boots? From Jaeger at M&S.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pleat-hem-detail-shift-dress/p/clp60744103?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

And this in dark green from Whistles - not petite, but mini so likely to be near/on the knee for you?

https://www.whistles.com/product/trapeze-mini-dress-40473.html

I've never quite "got" the concept of a work & a home wardrobe - except when there are rigid rules for certain roles/environments - although I think many have become more relaxed, including that of the OP.

But to choose to look "merely presentable" sounds so bloody dull & insipid, frankly! And I think if I had that mindset about the clothes I wear I would feel dull & insipid as well as look it ... I don't work in a corporate environment any more - but even when I did, there was a large crossover between my work & home wardrobes (though admittedly I've never been a joggers/sweatshirt person). I enjoyed the fun of dressing things up or down for different occasions, varying my jewellery, accessories etc.

I accept that some people do just want to look presentable, but am glad that I had lots of freedom in my past life in how I dressed. Now I'm freelance though, I can do whatever the hell I want ...!!!

@Pierpointeri think there are some unfair coments on here.

Im size 18-20, also 5'4" and in a corporate office a couple of days a week.
You're right that suits are a no-go now, even some jackets a bit 'old fashioned'.

Many midi dresses swamp me, maybe because of my ample arse distorting the shape of a dress - so I stick to knee length. Ive just bought this and its perfect - has shape but also skims nicely

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/candice-dress-100146125826.html?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=google_ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NEST_PhaseEight_UK_EN_BoF_Shopping_Brand&utm_id=22580106175&utm_content=agid_183528896367-ad_753262295702&network=g&device=m&targetid=pla-294505072980&utm_tpl=live&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22580106175&gclid=Cj0KCQiAg63LBhDtARIsAJygHZ4Veg5eu-EEcczjjGoQKgycflYeb-xLaYJZxtNjERASD3R7HpCpgYIaAl86EALw_wcB

People are still wearing 7/8ths trousers with a vest top and soft jacket and smart(new and immaculately clean) trainers. You can play around with colour and texture with this. This look is popular with the late 30s and older senior women in teh office, along with Boden-style dresses.
For the 7/8ths trousers i think Boden Richmond are meant to be great, although phase eight trousers fit me a lot better.

Good luck and let us know what you choose, im always on the lookout for office inspo!!

Oh I love that dress!

Also like the look of the green whistles one posted by @EleanorMc67

Book A John Lewis personal shopper. Great experience & they will work with your budget

OP I have been your size and shape after having kids. I think it’s worth spending a bit of time looking at what it is you really like to wear- I’ve lost weight now my kids are a little older and I have time to myself and to exercise but before I lost weight I actually invested some time and some money into buying clothes that made me feel good and I don’t regret it. My shape is smaller but much the same so having identified styles and silhouettes that I liked means it’s much easier to shop even now. I love a barrel leg or wide leg trouser with a nice belt and a tucked in shirt- and that was the same at size 18-20 and now at size 10-12.

A personal shopper session in John Lewis is a good call. Mollie Campsie is a (admittedly tall) size 18, slightly pear shaped influencer who shops the high street and has good smart casual suggestions.

I don’t know how tight your budget is- in my case I was always holding off on buying nice things because I didn’t think I deserved them. If that is the case I would strongly suggest not doing that and increasing your budget. If it’s very tight I would suggest the personal shopper to identify shapes, styles and sizes you need in different brands and either investing in one or two good basics (agree wide leg trousers with a blouse tucked in is a good call) in fairly neutral colours. Vinted is great once you can filter out all the rubbish- I do that by filtering for only good quality brands in my size. I find Me+Em trousers work well on me so I keep an eye out for those which are generally around 25% of the price of the same trousers new! Dark grey trousers and a black shirt can look really good for example. If your office is casual some really good quality denim would be another good investment.

Lastly, try to focus on what shapes and styles you actually like rather than what you think is slimming. Our size and shape is literally the least interesting thing about us!

Sorry for the essay- I hope you find some clothes you love!

I like Tu, some of their clothes are as good as Marks but cheaper. They are my cheap go to. Next up is Next, either their own styles or something like Reiss is available. Can't afford Reiss. Marks for good quality everyday styles. My local Marks has Jaeger clothes in stock which look gorgeous, unfortunately I am too small to wear them. I have a selection of autograph shirts which I love, as you have kids I would recommend patterned rather than plain. Merino jumpers I find are smart casual, warm in winter, cool in summer. They are a bit thin so remember to wear an appropriate coloured bra underneath. Cashmere is lovely but may be too warm. My posh choice is Hobbs. They have got some nice merino jumpers and matching trousers in the sale at the moment - in brown and dark green, subtle and suitable for corporate environment, yet casual. Boden is good too but i find their waist a bit tight compared to hip.
However, you are starting work in February. Buy something that will do for 3 months. Maybe something new in April. Then you will be looking for Spring/summer styles.
In the meantime, everyone has their nails done, they are probably more noticeable than what you are wearing. (yes, really). A dash of lippy always looks good and obviously a smart tidy haircut. Maybe you will consider highlights or something at a later date, for now something easy and functional. Perfume, definitely. Don't get me started on face make up, I am in a constant mire of tinted moisturisers, bb, cc, light foundation. I haven't got a clue.