I’m starting a new big girl job soon and I need some help with what I wear.

[Snowcold]

It’s sort of social worker adjacent, so nothing too corporate or expensive. I’m an 18-20, apple shaped with a large bust. Medium length brown/dark red hair, pale skin.

I have a few pairs of trousers that I think look nice (high waisted black, brown checked and navy/grey pinstriped, black jeans, mix of barrel shaped, wide leg and fitted) and a few skirts

I have a few tops/ cardigans that also fit well (burgundy, charcoal, olive) I love a black and white stripe.
I think I’m an autumn kinda person? Bright blue, red and yellow look terrible on me.

Can anyone suggest some new tops or T-shirts or dresses that would work for me? Unfortunately until I start working my budget is only about £150 for everything. I’d be happy with cheaper brands or Vinted. I’ve included photos from the internet of the kind of thing I already own. Thanks!

I’m a social worker OP and spend most of my time in either jeans or comfy dresses! Wear what your comfortable in, I do!

Thank you! The problem is that I only actually have about 4 outfits that I feel comfortable in and fit nice. I’ve recently lost weight so a lot of my clothes are too big and just look sloppy now.

Although the job is SW adjacent, it also involves a lot of chairing community meetings and meeting groups of people. I’d like a few more things that I feel comfortable in but still look put together and reasonably smart.

Leggings of different colours and long tops/ shirts with vest underneath.

I think comfortable dresses are a good shout. Dare I suggest having a look at Fat Face and Next? I would stay away from the leggings/tunic uniform as it can look unprofessional.

I’ve just discovered the joy of smart style trousers with elasticated waist - wide leg ones - on trend and like wearing pjs!
vinted is your friend as long as you know your size in the brand.
I got a nice jacket £5 in primark today - Chanel look - worth checking the sales.

But how would this be put together and smart?

Unless you’re Claudia Winkleman that’s your Sunday morning carwash outfit, surely? Not what you choose to give an air of responsible professionalism in a new job?

Yes, I love that type of trouser! I’ve got a few pairs but I’m struggling with tops. I’d normally wear cropped T-shirts but that’s not really appropriate.

I tried that type of cardigan today but it just looked matronly with my boobs lol

Thank you @Sesquipedahlia responsible professionalism is the look I’m going for, but without being too overdressed.

Tunics and colourful leggings look great on some people, but for me it would just make me look like the fat middle aged mum whose out of her depth, which is how I feel!

Im in a smart role.
My wi ter go to outfit has been long cord slightly flared skirts with lanx boots or Dr Marten Mary Jane's with thin jumpers or t shirts and cards. I have skirts in black, turquoise, beige, red and brown.
My clothes have been from Temu and been good value and blend in with everyone else.

There are quite a lot of knitted vests/tank tops around at the moment. Would those work with a long sleeved t-shirt underneath and your wide legged trousers? I have a few that I wear with a long necklace to break up the front a bit.

If you have 4 outfits you feel good in that's a great start. Do some of the tops go with others of the bottoms?

I'd probably start by finding something that I can wear as a jacket/cardigan with at least a couple of my existing outfits. That way you've got something that's a way to smarten up tops (if you're sitting) and signal a slight formality. What about jewellery? If you like earrings or necklaces try to find some chunky but stylish ones (and when I say stylish I mean ones that YOU like and feel good in, not necessarily what everyone else is wearing). Same with scarves, if you are someone who likes them (I very much am).

Don't buy anything that doesn't make at least 2 new outfits. So a new top needs to go with at least 2 bottoms, and vice versa.

And ABSOLUTELY ignore the tunic and leggings suggestion. Dress like a grown-up, not a toddler!

Good god no to colourful leggings and tunics.

I’d be looking for a good jersey blazer, a couple of nice midi dresses and some plain long or three quarter sleeved good quality T-shirts as a starting point. Which shops do you usually like?

If you have an M&S outlet they have nice linen and cotton shirts for good price. They are well made, neutral colours and last really well. If you get a few different colours you could treat them and some trousers like a uniform.

How is that smart?!

Something like this maybe? I’m an 18 in tops smaller for bottoms and some fat face styles I have to go down a size.

https://www.fatface.com/style/su770703/h59318

my usual rule to keep costs down, especially when I used to need work clothes, is to try to buy top and bottoms at the same time (as I’m out of proportion I find when I don’t I can never find the other part of the outfit) and that the new items have to go with at least one other thing I already own.

if you have 4 outfits you are happy with that’s a great start can you mix and match them?

Once again when I used to work I’d iron and hang up my five outfits for the week, plus one emergency one….kids/pets. Then the following week I’d add one other different outfit, maybe a dress, and then rearrange the outfits so four different looks from the week before but the same clothes. I’d do that for the whole month mixing and matching but really only have about ten true outfits. I’d also , I know this sounds a bit silly but really used to help me, organise my bags and jewellery so I’d set out my jewellery for a fortnight. Then put that stuff away all different for the next fortnight. Only ever cheap stuff I’ve never owned expensive things for work. It all really used to help me as I was surrounded by work colleagues who were very well dressed in very expensive outfits but I did the best with what I had. Then I’d buy one essential item every pay day.

Do you need shoes as well? I quite like the look of these but not tried them, there’s a few colours.

www.marksandspencer.com/lace-up-flat-ballet-pumps/p/clp60777719?color=DARKBROWN

How do you get on with this make? You are a similar size to me and I find some good some not so good. I also usually shop around as find bite of theirs on offers on John Lewis or next. But their sale seems to have some nice bits. The pinstripe trousers might be good with a plain top.

https://liveunlimitedlondon.com/collections/sale?filter.v.option.size=20&filter.v.availability=1&

What I’d suggest is that you avoid anything droopy and aim for a clean, crisp, contemporary silhouette.

Uniqlo is the best place to start - particularly the collab collections. You could pick a few office worthy pieces from:

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/women/special-collaboration/uniqlo-c?path=%2C%2C107393%2C

(And, as we move into spring, maybe incorporate some of the lighter colours, which will give a more approachable, less ‘Disturbia’ vibe, whilst still being authoritative.)

Community Clothing has fewer clothes (exemplary ethics, and wonderful fabrics so a higher price point) but you may find a few things worth investing in as they’re very hard wearing. Link is to the ‘Curve’ collection but almost everything goes up to an 18 anyway.

https://communityclothing.co.uk/collections/curve?usf_take=84

Uniqlo will be tricky at 18-20.

Their XL is roughly a 16 unless it's a very boxy and loose style. They do have XXL in a limited range of styles.

Lots of the Uniqlo : C range goes to XXL. As does this, conveniently in several colours, from the J W Anderson range:

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E484928-000/00

And it’s always worth checking the corresponding men’s range if sizing is limited. (Once not for everything, but it can be useful.)

@Snowcold

I work in a related field, and I would suggest prioritising more of your investment currently in buying tops, as you’ll spend most of your time in meetings and this will be mainly what’s on show.

I have a couple of these tops in this colour and I love it. It’s very comfortable and although I would consider it a basic, I have had so many compliments. I tend to wear it with a pair of large gold ball earrings and black trousers. I have it in large at size 16.
https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1089811038.html

I have my eye on this blouse at the moment: https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1305915002.html

H&M are doing 15% off at the moment - I’m not sure if this is if you are a member or not as I’m logged in so unsure, but it helps a little and I think they do some nice tops.

I would get a couple of smart jackets maybe try Vinted or charity shops. If you get black/ navy/ toning colour of choice you can simply put on over a dress or top and it makes most outfits instantly smart. A skirt / trousers in same colour and you have a suit look.Not something you have to keep on all day but put the jacket on when you want to look a bit more formal/ professional.

Try the asos Stradivarius trousers. So comfy yet smart and huge pockets!

How about pairing your trousers with neutral coloured long sleeved blouses and a tank top?
You can mix and match then.
I wear a lot of dresses for work. Below the knee style always with a sleeve.
Look at M&S they have some great choices.
I wear them with either sheer nude tights or black opaque tights.
In summer I have several linen A line skirts. Again always below the knee. They are from Next and M&S. If it’s hot I wear them with plain t shirts or a blouse. I keep a pair of heeled sandals in my office for warmer weather too. You can always wear a cardigan if you need to.

I agree with @PomegranateVase re the H and M satin shirts, I have quite a few and wear them with Cos black trousers and under smarter pinafore dresses. Also go to charity shops for jackets as they are great to pull an outfit together and feels smart.

OP watch Mollie Canpsie on YouTube. Shes an influencer size 18 and puts some nice smart casual outfits together.