New work wardrobe help!

[llareggub]

I am in the happy position of needing a new work wardrobe. I'm due back from maternity leave at the end of March and have gone from a pre-pregnancy size 18/20 to a size 14, so literally have no work clothes at all.

I haven't stepped foot in a workplace for nearly a year and before that just bought what plus-size smart clothes I could find, so I have no idea what to buy.

Previous work clothes came from M&S, Planet and that's about it. I don't need masses of clothes as I'm only in the office 2 days a week so ideas for a capsule work wardrobe would be great. It is a public sector organisation but I will need at least one suit. Dresses, trousers, tops etc are all OK but usually women in my sort of role do wear suits or smart separates.

I'm about 5 foot 6, hourglass-ish with a tummy from 2 babies.

Any help gratefully received! I could probably do with a coat too; I suspect my size 20 long black coat hiding at the back of the wardrobe is not going to work anymore!

I should add that I have just one pair of trousers to wear to work. They are a pair of black, wide-legged Betty Jackson trousers that are about 10 inches too long (who were they designed for?!) but that is it.

Choose two base colours which you like and that suit you: for me, that's black and grey.
Buy a skirt and a pair of trousers in each of the two colours. Choose good shapes or slightly quirky detailing: eg a pencil skirt with a cute pleat or kick at the back / wide legged trousers possibly with a small turn up etc.

Buy a fitted, nipped in waist jacket in the lighter of the two colours: it doesn't have to match the bottoms, just 'go' with them.

Now buy a couple of tank tops or wrap cardigans, a couple of long sleeved tops and some silk camis for layering - in a couple of colours that go well with the base colours. For me, this would be grey and black cardigans and tank tops, bright pink and purple long sleeved tops, bright pink cardigan etc.

This is your capsule.

A coloured coat would be lovely, with a range of nice pashminas.

Have fun!

Btw - do not get the idea that I know what I'm talking about. Am good at reading/talking about clothes but usually look as if I've been dragged through a hedge upside down.

That does sound like a good plan. Thanks for that, it is really helpful.

Where do you get your work clothes from?

Nowhere very exciting. I have a few things from Principles that have lasted really well (obviously it is no more though).

M&S Limited Collection has the odd v good thing and good quality long sleeved t-shirts. Autograph good too. Their trousers come in different lengths too, which is a godsend.

I have some silk tops and dresses from Warehouse and one jumper from Hobbs that is great.

French Connection pretty good for cardigans and pencil skirts.

I'll check out Warehouse and French Connection. I've never bothered previously as I've been too big.

I still mourn Principles passing. I still have things from there, too.

There was a feature in the DM a few days ago on capsule wardrobe, will see if I can find a link...

here you go - not a bad start for ideas.

Do not believe Janeite's last sentence above...- she always looks lovely, and her outfits look well put together.

You are taller than I am, but I have a lot of Gap for work- they had loads of really good knitwear before christmas (nice merino etc), and always have trousers smart enough for work, but thick enough (am a v cold person).

M&S usually good for tops. Debenhams for coats, or John Lewis maybe (though is a pain atm, as sales mean most things aren't in the size you want)

MrsSB... the first pic in that article looks like the cover of a Jilly Cooper novel...

Thank you Captain Nancy.

Gap v good for lovely little silk tops too - I am a sucker for little silk tops!

M&S can sometimes be good for knitwear but you have to fight through a lot of vile pastel colours to get to it.

Also - if you get black trousers you can get some very decent but cheap jackets from ebay. I wear suits to work every day and just wanted some different jackets - bought a whicte boucle one, a black pinstriped one and a beige pinstriped one for 99p each.

DH bet me 99p I wouldn't wear any of them

but I will...

white

Yes, I see what you mean CaptainN!

Not sure I am keen on those exact trousers, is it just me or is the length very wrong / model too tall? Maybe I am out of touch but I wouldn't wear that length for work. I think something similar in a wideleg tweed would be good though.

look at white stuff for vests, tops, things to layer
crombie - amazing ladies sale lately, very good for well cut skirts, jackets, trouser suits, coats - timeless, hardwearing, classic

wander around dept stores to get idea of range and what you like

get suit and you can also wear it as separates, tops, scarves, hats, gloves for splash of colour

i had to build up wardrobe for work and it was quite fun, but in more relaxed work environment where you can wear what you like
love dressing up now and five years a sahm..
enjoy it, buy the best you can if you really like it
well done for weight loss too

What's your budget llareggub?

I was in a similar position a year ago. I went from 18/20 to 14/16 before returning to work. I'm afraid I kitted my wardrobe out with Boden sale stuff, after reading about it here. I find dresses v useful for work as a no brainer and look instantly "together". I also use Artigiano sale/clearance stuff (there used to be an outlet store near me) and Bravissimo sale stuff (good for big boobs/small waist). I got a Hobbs pale linen jacket in the summer sale and found it went with everything in my wardrobe and looked v professional.

I have gone for bang on the knee skirts and dresses and got a sale wool/cashmere coat that a) works with that length and b) keeps me very warm. I went for a fairly neutral colour though. Otherwise I have gone for stuff in jewel colours, purples, blues, magenta. It works together. Most recently have got some of these, very useful and cheap workwear and summer weight.

It worries me that there are so many of those Boden jersey pleat skirts left in stock!

Maybe it's just that the photos are horrible.

Sounds nice in reality aarghhelp?

There are some nice pencil skirts on ASOS... they also have a workwear section.

I have recently been introduced to M&S dresses and am loving them! I usually get all my suits and dresses from Hobbs however have found the M&S ones to be surprisingly well-made and flattering for the price.

I haven't yet bought any of the matching suit jackets but I usually team the dress with a suitable jacket from another suit or a smart cropped cardigan in an interesting colour.

Also I find M&S and John Lewis great for colourful costume jewellery for work.

I got them yesterday pm. They are very thin and not at all suitable for the depth of winter. Also they are unlined and need a slip. The sizing is a bit inconsistent - I got the ones I ordered in the bigger and smaller size to see. I wouldn't have paid the original price but actually the sale one will be a great filler for my wardrobe.

There is a stretchy waistband which works well with my relatively small waist. The long length hits just on the knee (5 9")

I have a professional job and sometimes wear suits but am going for a softer look now. I agree re ebay - I have a great Alexon suit (now too big) and Louis Feraud jacket from there.

Some great ideas here, thank you all so much.

Budget. Hmm. Not sure really. I've possibly got up to £500 to fund a new wardrobe but I'm not sure if I want to spend that much.

I've got a couple of Boden jersey and knitted dresses but I feel very busty in them. I'm entirely sure I'd feel right wearing them at work. Actually, I've remembered that I do have this which I hadn't really considered for work.

I used to wear a plain, black shift dress to work but it is now too big around the waist. I liked that a lot. What would you wear with a plain black shift? I was thinking about buying a couple of cardigans and putting a skinny belt around it (or is that over now?) and getting some chunky bracelets or something. I could wear a jacket with it for a smarter look maybe?

Thanks for the Daily Mail link MrsSeanBean. WIll have a read and report back.

Feeling quite excited now. Shame I'll have to work in them.

Llareggub - some good advice here. I have to say I was surprised how little I needed in my capsule work wardrobe for 2.5 days a week, so don't go overboard. Buy a few things, they will do you for a few weeks and then you can get a sense of what works for you and what you need more of. It will also leave more money to get extras once the weather starts to get less arctic. I really enjoyed developing a brand new work wardrobe actually (as you will see from my ongoing efforts in the rest of this post).

Congratulations on the weight loss too.

AuraofDora - Crombie!!! I have never looked at it before and must admit am seduced by the sale prices. Do you know what the sizing is like. I'm between a 10 and a 12 - tend to be a 10 in "older" shops like Hobbs and M&S but am a 12 in Top Shop or H&M, for example. Any suggestions? I am looking at a pencil skirt and a shift dress.

Lulu12345 - I have one M&S work dress which is fantastic and want more. If you don't mind, then I'd love to know what other work dresses you have bought and what you think of them. I've got my eye on a couple though I wish there was more that wasn't black...

I was going to start this exact same thread (except I'm fatter than you ) - soem great advice, will investigate thank you

If it's budget-friendly for you, Jigsaw is perfect for the capsule wardrobe. Many of the tops are plain with sequin detailing on sleeves/collar - perfect for dressing up or down. The wrap cardigans and camis are a godsend It has a brilliant sale online now too. Excellent thread BTW.

Great sales on IKKS if you want something that not everyone else in the UK is wearing!