Help! My work clothes make me look like an old frump!

[YaddaYaddaYadda]

I could really do with some advice / ideas, almost all my work clothes pre-date my dc (so 2005 / 2006) and I just look a bit old, tired and crap. I need some ideas of what to wear, the dress code at work is 'smart casual' so smarter than jeans but not as smart as a suit. Oh, and my knees are a bit knackered thanks to my pregnancy so I need to wear flat- ish shoes.

All advice v welcome

go to tesco and stock up on trews and tops - tis mega!

Get one of those nice tulip shaped skirts and a pair of suit trousers from French Connection (always seem to be well cut). Then buy a few jersey separates from American Apparel in colours to suit your palate... hey presto...yummy mum. Would probably need to spend about 250.00 for a capsule wardrobe.

Dresses/skirts and tights with flat boots?

Then when the weather warms up, can wear more summery dresses with jackets/cardis, and flat ballet shoes, or flip-floppy things if your work will allow it.

Good places to try:

Zara
M&S Limited Collection
French Connection
Topshop