What do you think a nice lady doctor should wear?

[snicklesneeze]

Hello style gurus of Mumsnet.

Am about to return to work as a GP after a years maternity leave (have namechanged as not "out" as a dr on here!).

Would like to go back with a completely new set of work clothes (on a reasonable budget as on SMP for the last 6 months).

Am fat large of nork and voluptuous - currently 38G and size 16-18.

Was previously wearing boring tweedy type trousers with plain tops, would like to wear something a bit more flattering and stylish to co-ordinate with my eyebags and jelly belly this time!

Have got a few items from Bravissimo including the wrap dress so far.
Also will be expressing at work so reasonable access to boobage would be a bonus.

Oh yes am also short of leg (29") wide of thigh and long bodied, prefer tops to be at least hip length.

Thanks in advance!

All the GP's I know get around in nice tailored trousers with a t-shirt/vest and cardi combo with flat shoes. Easy for work and comfy yet still smart. Also the odd knee length demin skirt as well.

I got a couple of cheapy wrap style tops from Tesco. (quite long in the body, kind of longish t-shirt style)

I wear a lot of this type of top with a smart cardigan type top over it. Also dark trousers. I am a CPN. Most of the female GPs/Psychs I know seem to wear a similar combination. I jazz up plainish work tops with nice necklaces (£5-10 from all kinds of places, Sainsburys, Principles, anywhere really) They also draw the eye away from large cleavage.

As you are bf your shape may change a bit in future months, that was my experience so I didn't invest in too many tops straight away.

Am a proper doctor as opposed to a medical one so dunno about your specific needs, but I find layers essential. Always pretty much have on a long vest (Tesco and Gap and TopShop good for these in all sizes), a v-neck thin jumper and some kind of fitted jacket. Very Trinny and Suse, very flattering IMHO (am slightly fatter bigger than you)

Wrinkles in layers, artfully arranged, help disguise belly. And you can do interesting things with colours if you're wearing 3 layers.

Am hospital doc, not GP - so have to do all that 'bare below the elbows' crap, but would second the wrap top/long vest combo - tesco/sainsbury's have good wraps and tops, also Gap. Also, my sister suggested I try White Stuff and Fat Face (or 'Fat Arse' as I like to call it) - they go up to a size 18 and have some good dresses/tunic tops/skirts. I am also large of nork - in fact I have almost the exact dimensions you do! - and find fitted jackets good for feeling 'tailored' for the journey to and from work, plus the skirt/stretchy boot combo makes me feel like I'm making an effort. I also bought a really, really nice bag before I went back to work the first time - could not possibly be used for nappies of any kind.

I need to get my wardrobe sorted as I've been in scrubs for the last 3 months - eek, must buy some tights!

Good luck with the return to work, BTW. I hope you will enjoy it. You get to have hot coffee and everything! I am actually loving it.

Incidentally, does being referred to as 'the nice lady doctor' make you feel soooooo old? It does me!

I think the Bravissimo dress is a good way to go.

Dresses generally look better than a trousers/top combo imo.

I have two of the ruched around the middle type Bravissimo dreeses that I wear for work. With a jacket for more a formal meeting and with a cardi to look more warm and approachable.

I also have a pinafore style dress that I wear a white shirt underneath and a wide belt on the waist, quite a few of these around at the moment, mine is from marks.

Boden have some good smart but not evening type dresses in thier new spring range.

Sorry I can't do links.

I should add, I am not a doctor, but I do work.

you need twinset she has good style advice for a working women imo.

I'm not completely bare below the elbows, but dangly bracelets do get in the way and necklaces get tangled up in my stethoscope, so I find I have to wear slightly more accessories elsewhere to make up for it (eg nice not too high heels, patterned tights, belts, earrings, layers, patterns, lipstick). I find wrap dresses a godsend, and tailored trousers with jersey tops. TBH style is tricky to pull off when you're carrying your bag, notes, climbing in and out of cars, battling dogs, and usually wearing some awful overcoat if the weather's bad. But in the surgery at least it's possible to look vaguely presentable. I would love to be able to pull off a suit as it's so much easier, but most surgeries (min included) are quite casual, and rightly so probably, as I think suits can be a bit corporate.

i like tweed on drs.

Nothing that will confuse your patients! I chose our doctor on the basis of her clothes - floaty skirts, lots of ear rings and vague smell of patchouli. I thought she would be alternative-y dippy-hippyish like me. Imagine my disappointment when she turned out to be in favour of automatically inducing women over 40 at 39 weeks, passionate about amniocentesis and surprised that anyone breast fed for longer that 3 months!

I love my wrap dresses. Made the mistake of wearing a long dangly necklace the other day. Looked great but kept bashing people in the face with it and tangling with the stethoscope!

Am a nurse myself,but DH is doctor so feel able to comment
I think wideleg trousers,fitted longer top/vest,cardigan and chunky necklace sounds great.
Also,wrap dress with necklace,perhaps with stretchy boots atm and soes as weather warms up.
Am a big fan of tunic/short dress over trousers myself,think that look could be adapted quite easily to look less casual,ifyswim.
TBH,I think you will look great!
The doctors I work with on the ward wear trousers usually,probably more practical in hospital,but I think skirts finein a surgery.

I like the things in White Stuff and Gap - wide leg trousers and tighter tops (vests with cardigans over the top), and wrap dresses and a-line skirts with knee high boots.

oh I'm not a doctor, but have recently gone back to work after mat leave, and also have short legs!

Thank you everyone for the suggestions

Have never tried White Stuff or Fat Face, what is the sizing like (compared to high street stores ie is it Next or TopShop?)

Any ideas about where to get nice cardis? I always seem to look a bit of a frump in mine...

Also loving the tunic/dress with trousers, again any clues where to get the tunics etc from bearing in mind the norkage issue?

Am toying with the idea of doing the personal shopper thing at Debenhams, anyone know if you have to have a specific budget to qualify for one?

Don't really do suits - too formal. Seeker - I have aromatherapy oils burning in my surgery and tend to be quite floaty esp in summer - but then I am a hippy alternative type so wysiwyg!