Help me build a new back-to-work wardrobe!!

[Caz10]

Back to work in August (teacher) - nothing to wear!!

I retrained a few years ago and so was totally skint when I started work - wardrobe mainly consisted of god-awful plastic trousers from Asda, which I pretty much ran into the ground. Then got pg so it was all 2nd hand maternity gear.

I have just chucked almost EVERYTHING I used to wear into the Oxfam bag and need/want to start again.

I'm still pretty skint so won't be getting anything flash, but I just have no idea what's "in"!

I'm in kS2 now so don't need to worry too much about getting coated in glitter etc

i used to wear a lot of just below knee length skirts and high boots (high leg not high heel!) - is this still acceptable?

what do smart-casual ladies wear to work these days???

TIA

given that i left the World of Paid Employment 3.5 years ago i'm probably not the best qualified to answer

but, that aside, i would advise getting the best trousers you can afford - one charcoal grey the other black (or navy/brown if you have lots of shoes/tops that would go)

if the trousers fit well and are good quality, you can get away with cheaper tops

i used to wear jigsaw trousers with any old top

to dress it up i'd add a scarf

I think H&M do quite nice and cheap work clothes. A couple of pairs of wide leg trousers with various tops plus a couple of knee lenght skirts and do a bit of a mix and match.

Next are also good for simple resonably priced work clothes

oh yes ... skirts

didn't do them much myself

short = not to be taken seriously

long = difficult to wear, often frumpy

imho

Knee-length?

I don't wear skirts much but have made an attempt to wear them more....just for a change.

i used to wear just below the knee - i think that is ok?

tutter you have reminded me of the navy dilemna - if navy trousers, what colour shoes? i used to avoid cos i didn't know

navy, really

hence the sale rails being full of navy - no-one wants to commit to a whole wardrobe of navy co-ordination

or tan/beige shoes (go with anything)

Bumping because I'm interested in the mn verdict on the knee-length skirts and boots combo!

hmmm

whilst i doubt that anyone would point and snigger at someone wearin knee-length skirt + boots, i don't think it's bang on trend

arg is it not?

although, I suppose, I think I'm too old to care?!

when do you pass into the realms of being old enough to wear things that flatter you rather than trendy stuff?!

OK so if I was buying back-to-work shoes, if I go brown they are the most useful for wearing with different colour trousers? You can't do black trews and brown shoes though can you?

Three words - Black Pencil Skirt! Elegant and smart for the office without looking tarty/frumpy, and worn with a court shoe flatters most shapes. I also have a grey pencil as a lighter alternative. Then go to TM Lewin/Thomas Pink or any other shirt manufacturer and buy up a variety of smart shirts of different colours and styles (both have a great sale on right now!). Mix and match the grey and black pencils with the shirts, throw in a few tailored black trousers and voila! You'll fit in any business meeting.

I would avoid anything navy (aging) or knee length boots (not professional imo)

I could probably get away with that now...couldn't in KS1, too much bending down, playing in the sandpit etc!

Interesting tho - yours is kind of the opposite to tutters "good trousers/any top" combo - would you say "good top/any skirt"?!!

(at least one part of my body has to be sporting something pretty cheapo! )

Sorry ignore my message! I didn't read the OP's post properly, my advice was more geared towards office/city working.