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'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.

My home clothes are a lot more practical than office clothes. WFH clothes will be something like a 'presentable'** top and leggings. The at home clothes are things that wash easily.

If I go into the office, I usually wear a dress. It's an opportunity to make an effort.

** 'presentable' in this case is usually something that looked great on a hanger but the cut/style doesn't work for me. They're fine for zoom/teams meetings.

I'm about your size and height and work in a corporate environment. In the last year or so I've ditched the midi dress and find trousers and jackets smarter.
my go to on trousers is Tu (Sainsburys), you need to be selective but they have some real gems; and White Stuff, both in a short.

Then Satin/ satin look shirt, I've some from Jigsaw and some from Tesco, both get compliments. Next had some really good ones in before Christmas, worth a look.

Jacket is where I think it's worth going more expensive, but there are loads on Vinted. Look for Hobbs, LK Bennet, and M&S have had had some good ones over the last few years that people are now selling. I'm currently a fan of a boucle cropped jacket

you can pair it all with heels, kitten heels, loafers or trainers

Not usually a huge fan of Phase 8 - but that's a very nice work dress. I think you're spot on about that style, for those with weight around their middle, as it skims - but doesn't swamp. It's actually quite similar in style to the Whistles ones I posted.

Glad you've seen some dresses you like, OP! I do think these sorts of styles are easier to wear than belted for those of us with (squidgy!!) weight around our middle. They're just loose enough to skim, but not so full that they swamp. Also, another thing in common with the Phase 8 dress that @Happycow posted & the Whistles one I posted is that they both have slightly unusual sleeve details that lift them out of the ordinary. I always look for that with plainer dresses, T-shirts etc.

I'd also say about the Whistles one (they do variations on that style a lot) is that the fabric is a weighty(ish, not thick or heavy, just falls well) man-made crepe that washes like a dream & can just be hung up to dry without needing an iron anywhere near it afterwards ... I hate ironing or getting clothes dry cleaned any more than necessary, so love clothes that save me time/effort on that front!!!

Out of stock, but another of the Whistles crepe dresses. So easy to vary how you wear them too. Heels & a blazer, or a chunky cardigan & lace-up boots.

https://www.whistles.com/product/crepe-cocoon-dress-33819.html

OP - another really useful range is what Jigsaw used to call their "Crocus" tops, skirts & trousers. They brought variations out on it every year until recently.

It refers to the fabric they're made from, which is polyester but is a great-quality imitation silk-satin. It's not shiny, more with a slight sheen that's definitely daywear-appropriate. The tops are always slightly loose-fitting, the skirts & trousers elasticated waists. They're really comfy, come in some great subtle colours, & don't need any ironing either!! I wear the tops & skirts throughout the year.

I buy them on eBay - tried to look for one of the tops on Vinted but their new sizing screwed that up!! Here's a navy one on eBay in an 18. They describe it as silk-satin but it's definitely from the Crocus range.

https://ebay.us/m/kfnFBi

The pics on eBay are crappy - but I'll try to find some other images of the styles.

This one's a 16 but they're loose so I'm sure would fit you - great with trousers & can be worn tucked in or out.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/187808124923

Some of the variants in the Crocus tops over the years. If you like the look of any, save a search for Jigsaw crocus top/satin top/silky top in 16, 18, Large & XL.

And some more.

Just had a look & Jigsaw HAS had a version this/last year - but it's on sale & sold out in your size in both colours ...

https://www.marksandspencer.com/satin-v-neck-frill-detail-blouse/p/clp23050466?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

https://www.marksandspencer.com/satin-v-neck-frill-blouse/p/clp23049602?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

Some of the skirts:

And a couple more skirts plus three pairs of the Crocus trousers - mine are culottes-length as I'm tall, but they'd be long on you OP. They are SO easy to wear! This time of year, I wear the skirts with a wool/cashmere jumper, thick tights & knee-high boots.

Personal shopping at John Lewis is a great shout and something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time, but I guess to PP’s point I’ve not felt worthy.

Having said that I appear to have got myself a personal shopper in @EleanorMc67 ! I love those skirts especially! Thank you so much.

Here's one of the skirts on Vinted in a lilac-grey. Not sure of the actual size - but I wear 12 & 14 in them despite bring a 16-18 in the waist.

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/6428858640-jigsaw-satin-look-skirt

Some of the tops on Vinted. They're 16 but will fit you as they're loose-fitting.

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/7969924885-light-blue-jigsaw-100-polyester-ladies-v-neck-blouse

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/7969924885-light-blue-jigsaw-100-polyester-ladies-v-neck-blouse

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/7765719174-jigsaw-womens-size-uk-16-beige-champagne-button-up-loose-fit-blouse-shirt

Glad you like them! I always get admiring comments on the skirts - they're so easy to wear & versatile!!

I could only find that colour in larger than a 12 on Vinted or eBay. But they appear frequently. You just have to wade through all the ones listed as L 16-18 that are, due to the change in Vinted sizing listings, actually a size 12 ... very annoying!!

Although a 12 is comfy on me as they're elasticated so might be worth a try? They vary in length from over the knee to midaxi, so you might need to chop depending on your preferred length.

Studio8 from phase 8 were my go to for work dresses when I was bigger. You have to wade through/filter out the wedding guest options but they always had a few that made me feel comforTable.
https://www.phase-eight.com/product/charlotte-midi-dress-10018670287.html

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/julie-ribbed-fit-and-flare-midi-dress-222444258.html

They often have heavier fabric dresses that hang better.

Best of luck.

I'd also recommend a personal shopper - plus getting your colours done if you're unsure of what shades truly suit you.

Your life has changed, as has your age, shape, office environment, & fashion - so it's perfectly understandable that you might feel a bit bewildered!! Doing that would really help you find your feet! Also, it might be worth getting a stylist who'll come to your home & do a "keep/get altered/pair with different things/recycle to charity" look over your existing wardrobe?

(Please, no one comment on why age & shape shouldn't matter & that I'm being ageist/size-ist ... I don't wear what I did when I was 25 - & I doubt if anyone in their late 30s upwards does!!)

Of course you are worthy OP. It’s really hard learning to dress for a changed shape/circumstance. I’ve come to really enjoy fashion over the last few years and it’s learning to work with my body at whatever size that’s been the hardest part. I used to discount huge amounts of clothing because I didn’t think they were my colours and because they didn’t fit with the arbitrary rules of what I “should wear” for my shape. Now I’ll try everything, love some, hate some but I’m basing it on how I feel in the outfit and not how slim I think it makes me look!

White Stuff also have some very wearable jersey shirt dresses.

Just re the personal shopper, check if they are actually good in your local store and can work with your size. I looked into our one and from talking to a couple of people the same size (and we are only talking 18/20 here) the stylist didn’t really help that much, did a lot of ‘ohh difficult in your size’ and tried to put them in smaller clothes.

It’s meant to be a treat and to make you feel fabulous so just do ask first - I think it’s really store dependent from what I hear and others have an excellent time (my mum who is a tiny dot of a woman had a sucky experience as despite being reassured they could cater for petites, had very little and mostly work wear in that branch - she was going to ascot).

I have enjoyed reading through the suggestions on this post, always looking for things that skim and flatter. Eleanor has suggested some lovely items I will be off to look at too. I also just want to second what she said about having a colour analysis, it’s been revolutionary for me. When my children were smaller, I spent years not investing in my wardrobe as I was thinking ‘oh I will be slimmer next month/year’. But now I’ve decided, with the help of Vinted, to invest as I am now. I am wearing things in colours I never would have picked out, I haven’t bought anything black in over a year and I feel better than ever in my clothes. The power of colour shouldn’t be underestimated. My colour analysis was only £40 online with a stylist who does it through pictures, but she’s spot on the money and I can see things that I used to wear draining me and colour I never would have touched lighting me up.

There are some nice options here for roughly your height and dress size.

Thank you!! Funnily enough, I've never properly had my own colours properly done!!

But I'm a Landscape Architect & when I trained at art college was really interested in colour theory & applying it to planting palettes. I also remember having my make-up palette determined at (the sadly long-gone!) Prescriptives counter, which split your skin tone into one of four families - Red, Blue/Red, Red/Orange or Yellow/Orange.

I was pale & auburn (with a late teens/early 20s ill-advised penchant for fuchsia pink!!), but after being told I was Red/Orange I immediately "got" my colouring & discovered the most perfect lipsticks (when they closed I bought about a dozen & still use & love them!).

In clothing terms I sit in the autumnal spectrum of colours, but as I've got older & my hair has become more strawberry blonde, the shades I wear are now slightly softer too, with brighter/richer shades used as accents.

You're right though - it's really transformative! And saves time too - no dithering!

Black trousers with a nice blouse.
I love the type without buttons that are wide and comfy like the white one in the Bold washing pod ad from 2020