Smart casual workwear

[LemonCookie8]

Please help! I’ve realised that my office wardrobe is shockingly bad.
I used to have a good selection of work clothes, before Covid and before I had a baby. Now I mainly WFH but when I do go into the office I feel so self conscious. My body shape has changed, I’m still a size 10 but my waist and legs are bigger, so things like the tight black trousers I used to wear don’t suit me anymore.
I don’t wear heels and the office dress code is smart casual. I could get away with wearing jeans and a blouse but I want to make a good impression.
I have a few pairs of black trousers, a few blouses I bought from Vinted, a pair of brogues. These clothes look ok but I always manage to look scruffy.
I want to look put together, neat and professional without spending a fortune. What would you recommend? Thanks in advance!

I think you need a blazer. A few posters on this board have recommended the Uniqlo wool unisex ones recently. Out of stock at the moment but hopefully will be back soon. I'm coveting the brown one.
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E480812-000/00

Otherwise maybe one of these?
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E478557-000/00

Thank you so much. This is just my own insecurity talking but I’d feel so out of place wearing a blazer. Most people lean more towards the “casual” end of smart casual in my office and I feel like they’d all think “who does she think she is strutting about in her blazer” if I walked in wearing one!

I tend to wear loose fitting trousers in navy, dark green or black, clean smart trainers (I wear gazelles) and then a smart t shirt/long sleeve top tucked in with nice necklace. You can alternate different t shirts/cardigan options. Or smart mom fit jeans, with blouse/shirt tucked in with your brogues (or heeled boots if you have them)

Black really doesn’t work for a smart casual wardrobe. You need colours that complement more casual shapes, and that mix together easily without looking garish.

I agree you should begin with Uniqlo. Look carefully, first, at the collab collections like Uniqlo : C, and observe how the shapes, colours and proportions work together.

Similarly, at slightly higher price points (and proportion of natural fibres) browse

& Other Stories
Cos
Arket
Massimo Dutti
Zara
Community Clothing

That should give you some refreshed ideas.

I also go for wide leg trousers, spezial trainers and a long sleeve top with either a knitted body warmer/vest or a cardigan over the top. I usually wear with some earrings and my lanyard and that’s me! Smart casual. But also comfy and warm.
I’d also feel out of place in a blazer. I wore a dress and brogues to work once and so many people commented - mostly to say I looked nice! But I was going to a funeral and felt awkward at how obvious it was to everyone that I was dressed smarter than usual!

I think blazers do smarten a casual outfit up, but with jeans and smart trainers it can be a nice balance.

How about boot cut jeans with trainers, a thin knitted top. I like these from M&S https://www.marksandspencer.com/air-yarn-crew-neck-jumper/p/clp60742678?color=LIGHTBEIGE
So many different style of jeans now too

I’m largely public facing but sometimes I have an admin day where I may need to meet junior team etc. My go to for those days is something like- Uniqlo barrel trousers, a shirt (JW Anderson for Uniqlo are my fave currently) and a sleeveless knit or a cardigan or a blazer on top. Usually with loafers or brogues. It’s very much a uniform but works for me.