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Smart casual work dress code - City, plus sized

15 replies

Traveltart · Yesterday 14:43

New job starting soon in the City. But I’m a plus size and old-ish… Professional services/tech and I’m in the part that will be external client facing. The other problem is the dress code is ‘smart casual’. What the hell does that even mean?

To make matters worse, I’m late middle age and size 18 though on steady shrink trajectory. Will probably always have enormous boobs and legs but waist will be more defined. That shape makes it tricky to dress trendily in the boxy shapes that are loved by Cos etc.

I don’t want to throw thousands away on clothes that may not fit in a few months or may be the wrong vibe. Help!

What online shops to go for? In the past I was a boring Boden shopper as I knew their clothes fit me. I have also bought from Hobbs, Phase Eight, John Lewis etc and more recently Finery and Nobody’s Child.

Would love to be able to afford Me&Em and Sezanne.

OP posts:
DelphiniumBlue · Yesterday 15:18

Can you get to a real shop? I'd be tempted to go to a John Lewis or similar to try on clothes from a range of brands.
I've currently got black wide leg denim jeggings from Next - sounds awful, looks fab, it looks like plain black twill rather than denim, but is stretchy enough to be comfortable, and hangs really well. here M&S do similar or you could try Saint & Sofia for trousers.
So I wear some sort of wide legged black and stretchy trousers, and either a shirt over a black vest top or a soft jacket ( try Sosander or Next) over a T-shirt. Footwear could be nice trainers or some kind of flats.

mumonthehill · Yesterday 15:52

The next wide leg trousers mentioned above are actually really good, i pair mine with a silk shirt and it looks smart. I would get a jacket/ blazer in black or navy, and perhaps a shirt dress. I actually have a smaller waist than hips and find some of the Cos dresses very flattering.

Traveltart · Yesterday 16:00

Thanks very much for the trouser recommendation - it’s in the basket! The issue I have are my enormous boobs. Shirts and tops can be so tricky which is why I always defaulted to stretchy type wrap dresses but this is getting a bit boring now. Bought a beautiful dress in the sales (Whistles) supposedly in my size but can’t get it to fit over my bust. Shirts with buttons always gape or pop open even when I install poppers.

I can’t do high neck anything as it just makes me look like one giant boob! Until recently I had to have longer tops but again they just hang over my boobs. Now that my tummy no longer looks eight months pregnant, I guess I can look at hip skimming tops again rather than dreaded tunics.

Any other brands I should look at? Is Wyse London worth it?

OP posts:
minnowonthesay · Yesterday 16:23

What about the pop over style shirts, so no buttons? The French Connection one comes in 4 colours, but no white???

Smart casual work dress code - City, plus sized
minnowonthesay · Yesterday 16:38

Also perhaps try a kilt type skirt for winter with a v neck jumper?
I’d definitely get some v neck jumpers for winter, you’ll be able to wear them with skirts and trousers.
TThere’s also some nice stretch ruched style midi dresses in the shops for Autumn, might be worth trying one on, although lots have high necks - as winter approaches and sleeves become full length, there may be v neck ones though.
Have you thought about shoes?

Smart casual work dress code - City, plus sized
Smart casual work dress code - City, plus sized
Smart casual work dress code - City, plus sized
MsMarch · Yesterday 16:50

I have tended to be a 16-18, also with very large breasts and an annoying belly. I'm slowly losing weight as well but it's not super quick. I have, admittedly over a period of years, found that a surprisingly large proportion of my wardrobe is made up of purchases from those stylist boxes you can order - I originally got from Stitchfix and when they shut down, I started getting from Outfittery, I would highly recommend you consider ordering 1 box, telling them exactly what you need/ don't need and see what you get. The big challenge is that it can get expensive doing all at once. I tend to keep 1-3 items in a box, and only get a box every 3-4 months, but it might be worth ordering 1 box, aim to keep more, then order another box shortly after.

Things they've sent me (or in some cases, that I've bought) and that I wear a lot for a similar sounding job/role/company in the City include:

A couple of different pairs of wide legged trousers with elasticated waists! I wear these with either plain v-necked t-shirts over which I can put a jacket if necessary, or with more structured/ patterned blouses/tops that don't need a jacket. I personally like a jacket/plain t-shirt combination if I'm meeting externals etc but just in the office I like without the jacket.

smart tailored trousers or jeans (black jeans/denim only). I wear these with a selection of very soft v-necked shirts they've sent me over the years. I find that a regular shirt often lands up being too boxy, but for whatever reason, Outfittery/Stitchfix have successfully sent me a few that are suitably soft that they fall nicely. I have previously had success buying shirts like this in person from places like White Stuff/Fat Face. I usually wear these tpes of trousers with a belt and I slightly tuck in the shirt at the front/waist. That works for my body shape although was harder when my stomach protruded more (I still carry weight there, but my breasts definitely stick out MORE now so at least I don't look 6 months pregnant).

I have had a couple of dresses I've bought over the years. True cross body type dresses often don't go over my breasts but they send me some or I've bought a couple that look like they're wrap dresses, but aren't really. Then I usually wear a small vest to manage the low cut nature or sometimes I can pin it.

ETA: One thing I've found is that when I buy from these boxes, it can be a bit more expensive, but I really do seem to get an astonishing amount of wear out of each item. I was just looking through what I've bought from Outfittery since I started getting those boxes. It's 9 items over, I think, 4 boxes, and every single one of those pieces is a staple in my wardrobe. Similarly, there are a number of items I got from my old box - so a while ago now - that are still going strong years later.

Traveltart · Yesterday 17:18

Thank you @minnowonthesay - love the Boss dress even if the style won’t quite work. I find pleats make me look enormous so will steer clear of the skirt! I think that would work on someone with slimmer hips though.

@MsMarch Thanks so much - sounds like this might be the way to go and then become more independent eventually once I re-find my way! Do you have a referral link or anything that can give you a discount seeing as you have been so helpful?

OP posts:
MsMarch · Yesterday 18:01

I'm on my phone so can't look this second as I can never access it properly except on computer, but I'll check tomorrow. I dont' recall ever seeing Outfittery offer that although StitchFix definitely did. I'll check and if I do, will send it to you! Thanks, great idea if we both get a discount!!!

MsMarch · Yesterday 18:05

I have to check out from my current box when I get paid tomorrow, so it's a good time to see! Grin. They did actually send me a fabulous shift dress in this box which I absolutely LOVE but I can't tell if I would have liked it when I was 10kg heavier a year ago. I'll try see if I can send a picture of it once I log out in case it might work for you. I have certainly found that at any point, if my tummy is less protruding than my breasts, shift dresses can be surprisingly flattering.

daisydaisydais128 · Yesterday 19:20

Next and M&S have affordable options if you don’t want to spend a lot. It’s also worth looking at F&F in Tesco and TU in Sainsbury’s.

NotMeNoNo · Yesterday 19:23

I recently paid a stylist to put me a capsule wardrobe together, it was money well spent. Something to think about?

FlapperFlamingo · Yesterday 21:14

I worked in the city for years, size 22. I got key pieces from https://www.ullapopken.co.uk/en/ and then accessories from cheaper places. Well worth it in my view.

MsMarch · Yesterday 23:57

FlapperFlamingo · Yesterday 21:14

I worked in the city for years, size 22. I got key pieces from https://www.ullapopken.co.uk/en/ and then accessories from cheaper places. Well worth it in my view.

Just looked at this website. It looks great. I notice they have a section called "tunic" and there's a lot there i would buy. I am hoping to move out of 16 soon but might try one or two.

QueenOfTheWasps · Today 00:03

Have a look at Live Unlimited on the JL website. I’ve had a few flattering dresses from them, and also Seasalt and the White Company, if you find a plain colour or an interesting geometric print, rather than the flowery Sunday School teacher ones, or the Trendy Grandma loud florals. I’d also second the M & S wide leg or straight trousers - they look a lot more expensive than they are.

QueenOfTheWasps · Today 00:06

I don’t find Ulla Popken particularly flattering, as they tend to be in the style of voluminous tents, rather than fitting and flattering.

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