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 agree with all the other suggestions, other than leggings and tunics - please don’t do this. One of my best purchases has been a smart blazer - I got mine for £20 or so from M&S. Works really well to elevate any outfit.

Not the point of the thread @Snowcold but may I ask where you bought the dark floral skirt? It’s lovely.

Thank you @OneNewEagle thats a great idea to get organised with things!

oh @PomegranateVase thats exactly the kind of thing I’m looking for! I shall order a couple, that olive-y colour is beautiful and would definitely mix with several different trousers and skirts I’ve got, as some other people suggested.

@Sparklesandspandexgallore I do like the look of a tank top but I’ve never found one that I like the look of, maybe I’ll give it another shot. Thank you

No! Leggings aren’t appropriate for work and I hate this look. I feel like that’s what people think women above a size 12 should wear.

Go to affluent neighbour hoods and go to the charity shops. I’ve got really nice work wear items that way, at excellent prices. In fact, I now get all my clothes that way and have some lovely clothes.

Also, I’ve been public sector/ third sector all my life and phrases like ‘big girl job’ would not land well with most teams/people I have worked with.

Ah thanks, I hadn’t realised Community clothing does a larger size range now, I will definitely keep them in mind for some nicer pieces.

it’s definitely the disturbia vibe I’m wanting to move away from slightly, for work anyway. Ive been at university and I’ve mostly worked in roles where I have to wear scrubs so I’m a bit out of my depth with ‘smarter’ outfits.

I haven’t said it to them…

That one isn’t mine, but look at Disturbia, they have loads! Lots on Vinted too

What sort of place/s will you be working in? Is it going to be a freezing or nice warm office all day, or will you change locations (and temperatures!) frequently? I work in a public sector office job (so possibly a similar vibe in terms of smartish but not super smart clothing) and the temperature varies wildly during the day and week! Mondays are always freezing, nice and warm by Wednesday…

I would suggest a couple of jumpers, perhaps blush pink and a burgundy or maybe dark green, to go with the bottoms you already have, and you could either wear a shirt underneath or try those fake collars, as I feel a shirt collar often adds a bit of smartness to a plain jumper. But that’s only for cooler environments really; if it’s warmer or changeable, you need layers. I struggle with smart tops under jumpers/cardigans as they’re often not as comfortable (less stretchy) or need ironed which is annoying if the outer layer adds creases! If you can find a couple of shirts that feel comfortable, please let me know as I struggle to find affordable nice-looking ones for a larger bust! So I tend to go for non-button tops like this https://www.next.co.uk/style/su640310/f41120?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22747671005&gbraid=0AAAAADm_5UV3GSTT3gky1nzCNRb_JVpur&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7fbLBhDJARIsAOAqhsfgVuUZS1sHddzNd8g4FSJlI_Fg_5J6xTWg1K7iPzb-Dxp0oeaEIKgaAqdVEALw_wcB#f41120

It’s not super smart and probably not everyone’s taste, but it’s smarter than a tshirt and easier to wear for a larger bust than a shirt, and easy to layer up with a cardigan or sleeveless jumper. Lots of women in my office wear similar sort of things - it’s not fashion central by any stretch!

What about shoes? Do you have an idea of what is the norm in your new role yet? In my office it’s usually a mix of smarter trainers and boots (DMs for me) over winter, not sure about warmer weather yet but probably still trainers. I wouldn’t buy new smart shoes until you know if you need them, very few people in my office seem to wear smart shoes and I’ve only seen one person in heels.

Good luck shopping and for the new job!

congrats on your new role. I know they aren't the most ethical but I found Primark brilliant for buying a few nice work cardigans/jumpers to swap out with black trousers/smart jeans. M&S do some brilliant black trousers too for about £20 a pair.

She’s not saying it to a ‘team’ or within a work context though and is clearly just being lighthearted.

I’ve recently got some nice work tops and skirts from nomads clothing. I didn’t venture off the sale page so it was quite reasonable.

I know. But I don’t you or whether this is language you normally use. It’s clearly in your lexicon or you wouldn’t have used it here.

My manager recently came back from a work event complaining about a speaker who used similar ‘big girl’ language in the same context. And the whole team agreed with the manager.

You are writing this post asking for help in make a good and professional image, and I’ve tried to help you with that by giving you a heads up about language you have used which could undermine that.

Thanking people who take time to try to help you is also normal in a work context.

Oh come on it’s just a mumsnet thread. I get what op means. Don’t be patronising.

Agree on M&S . Reasonable prices too. I have a cotton jumper for £20 this season and several pairs of wide legged trousers- elasticated wasits make them really comfortable. Look out for oversized blazers to smarten up over a plain T shirt for example.

@Tramnotmonorail
Your first post made you look a bit daft. The second one made you sound a joyless pillock. Is this really what you want to prioritise on a Saturday morning on a nice thread about clothes?

Popsy - although a bit more expensive - do lovely stretchy dresses that I know a lot of teachers wear as they are practical and cute - they have pockets, are durable, cute but above all have the magical stretch that us chesty ladies need to give us a bit of definition - goes up to a 24 and is good quality so will be investment rather than fast fashion. Good luck with the new job!

@Snowcold

H&M have quite a few items in that shade at the moment so you may well find some other items too.

I bought a gold buttoned jumper in there before Christmas in a darker olive tone that the tops I showed you, and it’s really warm and flattering. I think it was around £25 but my friend told me they had them in the sale the other day, so it’s well worth checking their sale section too for some nice pieces.

Good luck with your new role and happy shopping!

John Lewis online has a slim fit black blazer in a size 18 in the sale for £23.70, but there is only one so you would have to be quick. It would pull together your black and white matelot tees,

I wear V- neck camis under a cardigan or a jersey/slouch blazer to look more professional. You can pick them up cheaply from Matalan. Apple shapes need to break up the expanse of boob so things that create vertical lines, or v necks work.
sleeves pushed up so something good with proportions too.

I’ve put a little collage together - it’s my colours, but you can mix it up in your own.

M&S jersey wide leg trousers are a great basic and only £20. Camis (go for a silky style rather than cotton vests, they hang better) around £8. Vinted for trainers.

To me, silky camisoles and Breton stripes do not convey serious authority.

I know we’ve been through lockdown dressing down, but people are leaning into grown up dressing again, and I honestly think it’s best to have a clear division between off duty wear and one’s professional wardrobe.

I have this cardigan in various colours:

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/knitwear/grey-crew-neck-knit-cardigan/p/924133904

They aren’t expensive but look smart buttoned up over a long sleeved t-shirt. I wear them with wide leg trousers.

@Sesquipedahlia OP hasn’t said she wants to convey serious authority. She describes the job as ‘not too corporate’, ‘social work adjacent’ and working with community groups.
The type of role where she needs to appear approachable to people from all walks of life.
I don’t get the feeling it’s the type of role where a sharp suit or business dress would be appropriate - and that type of outfit could be a barrier.

Hi OP - I think your comment about thinking you're "an autumn kinda person" is key to upgrading your wardrobe. It sounds from your description that you're probably a classic "true" autumn & can take quite strong shades on the autumnal spectrum? (My hair has faded from a light brownish-auburn to strawberry blonde, so I'm more of a soft autumn now.)

Have a look at the colours that are meant to suit you. Probably clear strong greens through to olive/mossy greens. Rusts & dark/warm reds. Mustards through to camels.

If you get a few coloured pieces that tie in with each other & go with your existing wardrobe, you're sorted for now. And then you can start experimenting when you have more time & cash!

Commonly, advice will be to steer clear of black & go for navy/brown etc - which is simply not practical if you've already got black in your wardrobe! Also, I love black ... It's easy to introduce colour on your top half that suits you, through jewellery (make it big), lipstick, adding a cardigan or another layer under/over the black, etc.

To decide which strength/intensity of autumn colouring you are, this might be a useful read.

https://www.kettlewellcolours.co.uk/us/page/seasonal-blog/2022/best-colours-for-seasonal-subtypes-autumns

What height are you, OP? And what kind of footwear do you already have? Are you only flats, or chunky heels ok if comfy? Do you wear boots?

What kind of bags do you have? What kind of jewellery? Do you like wearing bright/strong lipstick? Just thinking of all the ways to introduce colour!

I like the muted tones in the floral skirt you posted - should be just right for your colouring.