Work clothes help please

[janeite]

Have been semi-promoted at work (ie no more money but a new, more senior sounding job title and lots more people 'under' me!) and want to look a bit more professional. It's a secondary school, so need fairly smart but not suits. I'm looking to do a bit of shopping over the summer holidays, as I hate summer clothes so don't really want to invest in anything for the final few weeks - would rather start anew in September with a slight revamp!

SO:

I have a couple of very nice pencil skirts. What can I wear with them that isn't a traditional shirt? Have norks and shirts look hideous on me.

Where can I get some good quality, slim legged trousers in petite length?

What shoes?

Any more ideas?

Thank you!!

Oh - am 5'2" and size 10-12. Big norks though. And brunette.

Pretty please?

What do you lot wear then?

Congratulations!
I love Gap ankle length (!) trousers for work- they fit really nicely, and wash really well too (though you are a gap fan too, so maybe you know this)
I also tend towards v-neck 3/4 sleeve cotton tops for work- M&S, JL are a nice fit and not gapey so no cleavage issues.

Boat or slash necks are good too... but haven;t seen any recently- my best ones are from morgan (yeah, I think they folded about 5 years ago ) and M&S- autograph and limited edition usually have some nicer things.

Linea at HoF sometimes have good things, but beware of norkage flashing.

Oh thank you!

I haven't seen any ankle fit trousers in Gap for ages though.

Am on the M&S site now but not seen any tops yet.

Have found this though - any thoughts?

The oencil skirts are quite high waisted, so I need the tops to be reasonably short I think, to avoid bagging around the waist - but I can't tuck tops in as am very short waisted and look hideous.

pencil

Ooh- that is lovely! (But depends how it fits on norks...)

Think I'll go and try it on.

Any more thoughts anybody please?

how about something like this
this type of top with pencil skirt

Both v pretty - but I need a v or scoop neck - high necks look terrible on me.

Forgot to say thanks - sorry.

The dart dress from M&S is brilliant, I have it. Very comfortable. They have had some greatdresses in this year

What about this one?

Have you tried Bravissimo dresses?

Thanks Sue - that's good to know.

Re: the sleeveless one - not sure about that as shift dresses tend not to suit me and make me look rather severe.

Bravissimmo no good - waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long for me.