What to wear to work when office culture is frumpy

[What2wear2work]

Hi I am looking to add some pizazz into life having hit my middle age and want to up my style. I am short, dumpy and overweight. My top is 2 sizes smaller than my bottom. Our office culture is middle aged overweight frumpy woman (slightly tongue in cheek here) - casual, black, loose tops, stretchy fabrics elastic waist, comfortable shoes, chunky jewellery. I’d like to wear a suit as easy, but it would look like I’m off to interviews!! Any ideas how to get some glamour without sticking out like a sore thumb and screaming mid life crisis!

My first thought would be to add colour rather than black, smart loafers, nice clean and smart handbag, good hair cut and makeup?
Have a look in M&S sale/outlet in January perhaps. I’d go with these sort of looks… the dress with ankle or flat knee boots, trousers with loafers.

Alternate between wearing a fitted or more fancy top with casual bottoms and fitted or fancy bottoms with a casual top. You won't stick out as much but will feel better put together.

You can rock a nice blazer without going full on suit. Style it with t-shirt or casual shoes so it doesn't scream 'interview'

I’d go with fashion and colour. Who cares if you stand out? It’s the others problem if they’re dumpy and frumpy.

I agree with @Jk987 . It doesn't matter if you stand out. Wear clothes which are stylish and make you feel good. I've always done this. One workplace, I was constantly asked if I was going for an interview or where I was going after work! I don't care, I've always been interested in clothes.
How about a jersey jacket? That looks smart without being too restrictive. You're going to need to try on lots of trousers to find a flattering fit.

Ooh that is a bleak style picture that you paint

I think avoiding black and stretch fabrics would go a long way.

I like a bit of corduroy both in trousers and skirts, it wouldn't scare the horses and often comes in nice jewel colours, pair that with some nice leather boots, a well cut shirt, a good bag and a nice jacket? Wide cut wool trousers and a boxy jumper?

i wouldn't worry about people thinking you are off to an interview, it sounds like someone needs to raise the style bar round your way, and it might as well be you. They'll soon get used to it.

My brother, for many years as he worked his way up, always made a point of wearing a suit one day a week for work - just so on the odd occasion he WAS going off for an interview, it wouldn't be commented on because the suit one day a week was the norm...

Thanks for suggestions. Dresses are tricky as my top is smaller so sizing is impossible. Trousers are so difficult to get right when you are tubby and I feel that they draw attention to widest part. Handbags are another issue as I look like a bag lady with mobile office, lunch and laptop as well. I get not worrying but work in a run down office site (NHS) and hot desk which doesn’t help. I don’t understand scarves as an accessory and jewellery is swamped by lanyard.

pictures always show slim women in office wear looking like bankers

The best thing is to get out to some shops and do a whole load of trying on. Just give it a go, and try all sorts of things on which normally you wouldn't go for.
You could get a smart backpack from TKMaxx.

Wear what you want. Lanyards are a pain with necklaces.

I have it was so depressing. I’m not a backpack person - I find them faffy and end up on one shoulder. I’d need a serious hiking one that’s almost as big as me to carry everything. Fortunately it’s only from boot to desk but can be 4 bags. How people commute with gym kit and just a tote bag is beyond me.

I have come across vertical proportions though which may be where I going wrong.

Ok. Well, perhaps a wheelie suitcase type of thing, like a carry on bag?
I don't know what you mean about vertical proprtions, but if it works, fine.
Remember that no two women are the same, so you're just going to have to find what works for you. Try different cuts and colours, you could be surprised.

I totally get you on the ‘bag lady’ comment with multiple bits to transport - I have a similar sounding job and if I try to carry everything, automatically feel flustered and rumpled. Highly recommend a collapsible trolly that can then fold up and slot under your desk, I feel much more put-together pulling everything along rather than carrying it, and a box trolley is more flexible for what you can put in it than a wheeled bag.

Would a suit actually meet what you need to wear, or would it just remove part of the decision/coordination of what you’re going to wear?

I’m also short and overweight, and over the last year or so have tried to be more considered about what I’m wearing, as well as trying to buy pre-loved, so have had to think harder about what to actually buy.

For my job, full-on ‘office wear’ isn’t practical, but I do need to look relatively smart, so had always gravitated to black trousers as the ‘easy’ base option. Moving from cheap black trousers to some bootcut cords (not the ‘thick’ cord, the type that looks more velvety) has made me feel and look better, along with a better cut and nicer fabric jumper than I had been wearing. I also decided that cardigans, no matter the style, shape, colour, do not work for me for work - I look shapeless and more bulky. I’d rather wear a thermal top than look ‘layered’ with a cardigan.

I am also middle aged and in a senior role but make an effort in a somewhat frumpy office, hot desking office. There's no shame in it, if people comment I just tell them the truth which is that it lifts my spirits and puts me in the right frame of mind for work. I think the way to do it without looking like you are off to an interview is by keeping clothes simple and smart but keeping relatively up to date with trends such as different trouser styles and shoes. At the moment I mostly wear Uniqlo knitwear that I have had forever with wide legged trousers and trainers or a corduroy mini skirt and thick tights and (could be good if you have slim legs) It's also not just clothes but having clean styled hair, neat nails even if it is just using a layer of clear nail varnish, eyebrows etc makes all the difference.

Thanks some useful suggestions

re vertical proportions it’s your torso to leg length ratio and waist position

I realise I am short waisted so explains why tucked in makes me look enormous an egg on legs.
too long a jacket or top and I look like I have no legs.
I used to wear heels but now I don’t.

it doesn’t help that in my head I am not what I see in the mirror which is inevitably disappointing.

maybe I need to target grooming as I look great when I leave but when I arrive I look like I be very dragged through a hedge backwards

I will check out uniglo- I had thought it would be too young for me

Try dresses - you can wear colourful rights and boots with these

Unfortunately my calves are too big for boots

A lot of dresses are too big in bust area if they are go over my hips. The current shape does not flatter me especially the 50s large skirt look.

Wide leg trousers and a variety of tops your comfy wearing (jumpers, T-shirts, long sleeve tops) with Vejas or neutral sambas. If you’re feeling fancy (or cold!) stick some boots on with it.

Go for a long wool wrap coat with a cross body bag OR a large shoulder bag and whack a scarf on.

these are great ideas - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOooN5bEugn/?igsh=MWtzMDd3ZGJkN2Fvbw==

Do you follow Melissa Murrell on Instagram? I think she gives lovely advice for all shapes and ages.

This is similar to what I mean - so flattering and comfortable but still professional - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQFAnG0DnCr/?igsh=MXJkenQ0d2NnZnB1OQ==

Definitely Uniqlo, ageless and really nice at the moment.

Show one thin bit eg ankles.

You’ve got a waist you lucky thing, so buy a nice belt even if it doesn’t show.

Wide leg trousers are your friend, as are trainers.

Denim, beige, khaki and aubergine are excellent neutrals and more modern than black.

Try to be more specific than ‘short, dumpy and overweight’.
How tall are you?
Pear shaped but what size on top/bottom?
Torso to leg ratio? I am 1/3 torso, 2/3 leg for example.
Favourite features?
Colouring?

Also are you well groomed? That always elevates any look.

I am quite tall with long legs, short torso and a tendency towards apple shaped, also absolutely no arse. For me what works is straight leg or slight bootcut but nothing wide and flappy, a slim fitted half or 3-4 sleeve tshirt and a soft blazer, my favourite has a ruched 3/4 sleeve. It looks smart and stylish without being too formal. I had to get a whole new style this year after losing loads of weight and it was really hard trying to find out what suited me. In the end what really helped was taking a pic wearing leggings and a vest top, uploading that to chat got and asking it to give me an honest and constructive assessment of my body shape and to suggest shapes and styles of clothing that would be most flattering. That allowed me to start eliminating styles like wide leg trousers or empire waist tops.

I then went to John Lewis, picked out a bazillion things, tried them all on and took a photo in each outfit. I left without buying anything then when I was home and settled I looked at all the photos objectively and figured out what I looked best in.