Shopping for work clothes in London

[glinda]

Hi Fashionistas, Help needed please.

I have a child free day in London on Saturday and I would like to buy some new work clothes but the brief is a bit tricky.Ok, I would love to buy new clothes. I am a size 18 and 5 feet 10 tall. I have to be able to crawl around the floor and work with SEN children in a physical way, but then move on to meetings with high level officials and parents who must be convinced of my professionalism.

I have a long body and largish norks so tops need to be long enough not to ride up. I look best in deepish v necks but said norks can't be hanging out! I always seem to end up in the same black trousers and tops.

Any ideas?

bump

I know Topshop Oxford Street is hell on earth, but they do have a Tall range which might fit the bill. Tbh I'd buy online rather than battle around the shop!

I think they only go up to size 16 . I should also probably mention that I am (shhh) 43.

Damn them! Sorry for crap idea.

Are you looking for more 'boutiquey' places or big chain stores?

Don't be sorry - Thanks for trying. Boutiquey would be nice but not essential. It would be nice to find something that is not on our high st up here in the frozen north.

Would Banana Republic on Regent Street be worth a look?

I believe Selfridges stock C&C California tops. I love this brand as they are very flattering and more importantly, long in the body so they don't ride up (could be valuable if you regularly have to crawl ). They come in great colours, are very soift and comfortable and qwear well. (I am a bigt fan )
You don't have to shop for them in London though, you can get some great ebay bargains direct from the US, or at least you could when there was a low exahcnge rate. I reckon ebay would still be good value though.
Don't be fooled by sizes either, they look very tiny on hanger but are cut on the bias and very stretchy.

Those tops soung good MrsSB. I will check out BR too Molesworth - thanks
I know most things are available online, but I rarely get the time to shop in stores and try on lots of different styles. I am sick of wearing the same old stuff but don't want to buy anything more unusual without being sure that it will suit me iykwim

KEW? James St- down side of Selfridges.

Kew looks great, but again they don't cater for fatties! Only up to size 14 there.

I was in Banana Republic at the weekend & was really disappointed.

Cos is worth a look (just passed BR on corner) though I am not sure what sizes they do. They had some great stuff a few weeks back and seem to do things in lots of colours & with flashes of colour. I only wear black, brown or grey but I took a gamble & bought a lovely black dress in Cos preChristmas with a bright pink swoosh!

Good luck & have fun. The cafe on the top floor of John Lewis is an oasis of calm when you need a break (maybe not on a Saturday but the cakes will still be good!)

I guess if I missed out on the cakes I might be able to shop in Kew!!!!!

Where exactly is Cos please? Is it near Banana republic? As I walk down Regent Street, away from Oxford St, is it past Liberty or before? Sorry for quick hijack!

As you walk down Regent Street from Oxford Circus it is just passed Banana Republic (BR is on the corner and Cos is on the next corner - think there is a little alley between them)

It would be worth checking out Uniqlo too ( they don't have branches up north and they have some smart work shirts at good prices as well as casual clothes
shirts
, there's one on Regent street too, or you can find three on Oxford street.

Past Liberty. BR is sersiously overprices and the quality is not up to scratch. You probably have Evans up north but why not start there? Marble Arch end of Oxford St, opposite the monstrous Primark. If you feel compelled to take a look in there make sure you do so early. Next to Evans is Wallice which always have nice work stuff that is good and durable.

CC. It's in the house of Fraser and JL, great stuff for larger ladies, good quality, go on-line and take a look before you come down and then you'll know whether to hit or miss. If you like OSKA - find it a bit shapeless myslef but the quality is fab - H of F. You could do worse then spend a couple of hours in JL and House of Fraser, its all under one roof.

If you are looking for underwear, Bravissimo is on Regent St, the other way from Liberty, take the second left after the circus, you cant miss it, it's on the right.

Think I will give Evans and Primark a miss. I shop in Wallis quite a lot up here, but you may well have a wider range available in London so definately worth a look.
Off to check out cc and oska

Thanks both.

I like Dorothy Perkins' Tall range for workwear that lasts - there's a branch above Bond Street Tube.

The big M&S in between Marble Arch and Bond Street tube stations is worth a look - their 'Long' trousers fit me fine and I'm 5ft11.

Any ideas for the wider question of how to look smart enough for meetings with the "suits" from the county whilst still being able to work with the children?

I'm guessing the answer is fabrics that don't look crumpled after 0.002 seconds, and layers (bung smart jacket on for the bigwigs)

www.longtallsally.com/ my sister loves this shop www.longtallsally.com/content/london_store