Work clothes help please

[janeite]

Hi. I really need some new tops for work (teacher) for wearing with linen trousers, pencil skirts, knee length shorts etc). I'm a 12 but have nork issues and am v petite, so a lot of shirts either make me look v matronly nork-wise, or are too long.

Ideally I'd like some fitted, cotton, v neck (but not too low - teenage boys!) shirts in really cute prints. I have a lovely Zara one, black with white angels on it 100% cotton but I've not seen anything else even vaguely nice.

Colours that suit me include black, grey, purples if not too bright, deep red - but I'm not v fond of bright colours near my face. White looks awful on me; so does cream.

Please help!

Hmm - am not really a shirt wearer, so apologies if I'm not getting it right!

this sort of thing?
This (I know you said not white, but it's not plain), although you'd need a camisole underneath, I guess.
Black, with stripes?

I tried that last one on this weekend Jackie, so that's deffo on the right lines. It seemed to come up v small across the bust though but a 14 would have been far too big on the shoulders and across the back. The other too are a bit mumsy for my sorry. I suppose I'm thinking a bit 1950s if that makes sense?

"me" not "my" - sorry.

Oh and thanks!

Maybe?
(just realised I didn't check whether the first links were 100% cotton or not, sorry!).

Wrap? or too dangerous with the risk of gaping?

Good colour - might be a bit mumsy though.
Black.
Both have 5% elastane though.

Okay - the orange and black one would be a good shape on me but I don't like the pattern.

The Dotty P's ones feel really cheap and nasty and stiff - I tried some on (sorry).

The Laura Ashley one looks lovely - but may be a bit too pale for my colourless skin!

Sorry to be so fussy.

I teach and find that suits are the easiest thing to wear. Very hot days are a bit challenging, but then I tend to wear big skirts and long shirts.

My classroom is stifling, so suits aren't ideal tbh. Nobody else is that formal either. I like to be smart but not suited - usually a pencil skirt with a tank top perhaps, or linen trews and a wrap top; or a funky-ish knee length skirt with a 3 quarter sleeve black t-shirt (with lycra so a bit more structured iyswim).

Jackie - thanks for suggesting Debenhams though, as I've just found this yum.

this would be a good shape but the pattern is horrible!

Could you not wear dresses?

I'm not a classroom teacher, but I do seminars for adults, and dresses are the best IMVHO.

That grey one is gorgeous, janeite.

Gawd silk in the classroom - I'd have white board marker all over that in a jiffy (then again perhaps I'm just exceptionally mucky!)

Afraid i tend to stick to Next for work clothes. Things like this jersey ruffle top

Dresses are very good (if you don't have too much of a tummy)

oh no dresses, I need to be able to reach up to the top of the board and they ride up too much.

Maybe?

I wear silk skirts to school a lot I must admit and have been okay - but tbh I was just drooling over the grey silk, rather than considering it for work - it's too expensive.

That jersey thing would make me look a bit maggot-like I think!!! And I think it may be a bit sweaty - cotton would be better as my classroom really is HOT!

Will have a browse at Monsoon, although I have terrible problems with fit in there.

Thankyou to everybody though - keep em coming please, even though I'm so fussy!

Try bravissimo for tops which are cut for norkage (they fit the waist, then there are 3 sizes of chest to accomodate all but the most ridicuclous of norks)
Bit ££ but might be worth a shot?

My classroom is a bit like yours janeite, South facing with windows all along one wall and one opening window- you either block the sun out with the blinds and therefore block the breeze too, or have the blinds open and bake. My classroom door is always open in a vain attempt to get a through breeze

Yep cotton is the way to go. I have been wearing a cheapo tesco Fairtrade cotton top for work it's this blue on with big silver accessoreis and crop linen trousers it looks ok.

Thanks Lucycat. I think ordinary t-shirts might be a bit too informal for our place though; great price though!