Work clothes for the not-so-girly girl

rainbow kirby

So my student days are finally coming to an end soon and this means I'm going to have to get something a bit more dressy than my dazzling array of hoodies, t-shirts and jeans.

I've started looking around, but I really don't have any idea of what would suit me, or what I should be wearing in terms of work clothes. I'm also pretty broke at the moment so nothing too expensive. I am 5'6", size 12, and quite curvy. I don't wear skirts in general (though I do own this skirt suit which I got to wear to my BSc graduation last year), would really prefer not to wear heels, don't wear much jewellery and haven't owned any make-up in the last 6 years. I'm thinking I should get a decent trouser suit, but beyond that I'm pretty lost.

Help?

Twee.

The suit in your pic is gorgeous, it says business but is still feminine.

I think a trouser suit is a good way to go, perhaps a pinstripe or check. As well as that, one or two pairs of high waist, wide leg trousers, say one black, one grey. So that leaves you with three different trousers and a skirt, loads!

Tops wise; fitted shirts, light knitwear and dressy t-shirts. Examples
Clean lines, white, perfect! Asos
Again clean and classy M&S
You could also go with block colours. Magenta, dusty pink, teal and aqua all look great with grey.
Knitwear from Next
T-shirts
Marks

Check out Ecco, Camper and Clarks for sensible heals and also quality pumps. They're a but pricey, but your feet will thank you!
Camper
Clarks
Ecco

Check out this thread too linky

OldGoat

This is a nice photoblog that has the occasional business suit/ensamble. (Sorry, can't link at the moment - damned work firewall has no taste.) Was looking at a pic there lastnight from France of a woman wearing a pink buttondown coller shirt and a bowtie. Really nice soft tomboy look.

myxi

Twee. wrote: »

Knitwear from Next

Really like these jumpers! I shall be into next to stock up for winter!

Myself and a few girls I know tend to get nice tops in penneys. They also have very nice trousers.
They also don't look like they're from penneys
Maybe don't buy too much until you've started working and get a feel for what standard the work clothes are? I'd say we could get away with nearly anything but jeans here, wouldn't be wearing suits unless it was for meetings.

For shoes I pretty much never wear heels, I have some nice flats from clarks (no, not too old-lady-ish). Get some nice ballet pumps as well maybe.

Hermione*

I love your suit, RK! Lovely detailing.

I'd agree that wide leg trousers would be a great look for you! I would recommend paying a bit more for the trousers and then, you can mix and match cheaper tops with them. Also, pay attention to the material content of trousers - anything that's 50% polyester/viscose isn't going to last very long. I find M&S very good for trousers: there's a variety of cuts and leg lengths, and they usually have good material contents (wool for winter/ cotten & linen in summer).

If you buy two pairs in different colours, you have a great basis as Twee said. You can match with nice cardigans, v neck jumpers, smart shirt, pretty tops .... there's endless variety once you have a good base!

Ballet pumps look great with wide leg trousers. I get mine in Clarks and Marks and Spencers. They're a bit dearer, but great for walking and very comfy.

Twee. wrote: »

Again clean and classy M&S.
T-shirts Marks

I have both of those, Twee! Love Autograph for work clothes.

Twee.

Hermione* wrote: »

I have both of those, Twee! Love Autograph for work clothes.

We are sooo on the same wavelength these days!

rainbow kirby

Hermione* wrote: »

Love Autograph for work clothes.

Good to know! De Mammy works for M&S so I can get her 20% discount on Autograph stuff

I love wide leg trousers, especially linen or heavy cotton ones. I usually wear them with girly tops, but when I'm not feeling so girly I wear those 3/4 V neck tops from H&M in red/green/grey/cream with sensible flat shoes. In winter I wear the same wide black trousers with soft, thin sweaters (I like Uniqlo and Zara for these).