How many clothes for going back to work?

[WhoahThereCrazyHorse]

I need a whole new wardrobe for going back to work after my second maternity leave!! Have managed to lose some weight so none of my old clothes fit, and luckily I have managed to set aside some money.

So those of you that are smart and well-dressed for work (my office is smart-casual but I want to power dress a bit while I try and start to get my career back on track) - how many outfits do you have, what are your staples and where do you shop? I have always tended in the past to only have one pair of work shoes - how many do you have?

I'm in the office 4 days but one of these is dress down so need office wear for 3 days.

Help!!

Depends how much to the bone you want to cut it.

I have a similar working environment and have about 6 fairly plain tops, 2 pairs of trousers and 2 skirts - everything goes with everything. If you wanted to go down the route of suits you could get trousers and skirt with each jacket?

I also have 2 pairs of shoes - one I think goes better with trousers and 1 with skirts. Also don't like to wear the same pair 2 days running as they tend to get sweaty!

I would say 7 dresses. Means you have enough to wear a different one over 2 weeks so will seem like loads as won't wear the same one until week 3.

I find dresses easier to wear that tops and trousers. Plain black dress can be dressed up with Jewellery and heels wirh blazer or dressed casual with ballet shoes/ boots and cardigan

forever yes I do think dresses are a good option as no need to match top and bottom! I had a few when I was at work last time but not enough so I felt people would notice the repetition, 7 is a good plan!

I also wear dresses most of the time at work. Banana Republic is my shop of choice. House of Fraser also often have good sales on - I bought some Mary Portas dresses there at a fraction of their RRP and they are very good quality. Phase Eight and Fenn Wright Manson are also good for dresses