Capsule Work Wardrobe - Any budding stylists who can help?

If_I_was_a_rich_girl...

Hi fellow money savers - can anyone out there help me with my work wardrobe problem?

Due to starting a new job I have realised my tatty old work wardrobe will no longer do. However I don't have time (or the inclination!) to trawl around the shops looking for stuff so I just want to carry out a hit and run operation (so to speak!).

I figured I might be able to use internet shopping to get some ideas but need to actually try some things like trousers on as it's difficult to get a good fit. Can anyone recommend some decent shops where I can get good quality workwear that doesn't cost the earth?

I need about 4-5 pairs of trousers, a couple of shirts, maybe a jumper and a coat and a handbag and shoes that match everything. Don't want to spend more than £300 if I can help it! Plus the added problem that I am a building surveyor so I need to look smart and feminine in the office but also have clothes that are hardwearing and not too restrictive to allow me to climb ladders/ bend down and not show the whole world my underwear :rotfl:

I'd love to be one of these people that can pull together the perfect capsule work wardrobe of only a few things that still gives them lots of outfits options so they look smart for any occasions, sadly fashion is not my forte!

Any advice kindly received!

Sarah

Nile

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destroyerofdebt2011

Places like , peacocks, primark, New Look, Dorothy Perkins & Next etc are great for Quick & Easy off the peg trousers, blouses and jackets for office wear.

I find if i want more comfortable office tops etc that would be more suitable for climbing ladders & warmer for out on site etc id go for perhaps some of those longer line jersey tops with a fashionable belt and perhaps a jacket or a nice cardigan you can always accesorise with some costume pieces if that is your thing. Peacocks, primark and new look i find are the best for cheap and easy but next seems to be able to supply timeless classics that im still wearing 10 years later and still getting compliments for.

£300 should be plenty if your careful, Charity shops are great for funky costume pieces btw i often pick bits up for £1 same goes for scarfs, handbags and belts. More importantly be yourself and have great fun out hitting the shops.

HTH

D.O.D

MrsAtobe

I get most of my work wear from either Asda, Matalan or M&S. Working in IT and having to crawl under desks, , put servers in racks with sharp edges, means that I've learnt to buy washable, durable clothes. I agree with DOD, long line tunics are a godsend, as are cardigans. Scarves can cover up a too low cut top when you're out on site, too.

HTH.

missnippy

I second the votes for Asda, Matalan and Primark for clothes. I HATE spending good money on "school uniform" plus I'm on a diet, so don't want to buy things from Next etc, as I don't get the wear out of them. Asda's trousers in particular are great - really comfortable, a good length and wash up really well.

Primark have nice cheap bags, and so do New Look. New Look also have a decent selection of shoes too.

Asda also have some gorgeous winter coats for for £19 (I own the red one ).

My_Digital_Self

I'd 2nd what other posters have suggested but personally find M&S well fitting & hard wearing, Primark is great for cheaper tops & more fashionable items. Asda and tesco's F&F are good for shirts & jumpers/ cardis
Always struggle with shoes & coats though - I usually end up in ballet flats in summer & riding style boots in winter (or site boots), as I find my heels only tend to get worn for presentations & client meetings.
I found my big leather handbag picked in a sale for $250AUD has been a saviour though! Fits my notepad & paperwork in with room to spare
BTW I'm an Architect so fully appreciate your predicament!

If_I_was_a_rich_girl...

Thanks all for your suggestions! I shall have to give Asda etc a go as they seem to come highly recommended Just had a look at Peacocks and they have a work wardrobe on the website so that's all good.

I used to get a lot of stuff from Next but last year got a couple of basic polo jumpers from there and they have only lasted one season as all seem to have gone baggy! Perhaps it's my lack of laundry skills to blame!

This is one of those times when a uniform would actually come in handy, though I used to dread the tomato red jumpers of my school uniform. The DH is lucky as he works in media and can wear jeans to work, otherwise he is a scruff like me.

Definitely making progress though so thanks for your help! :T

jaggyjim

Hi, Mrs Jim here.
Have you tried a personal shopper service at one the big department stores like Debenhams/John Lewis/House of Frasers? Its a free service and you get 2hrs-ish with a personal shopper.
I haven't tried it myself but always fancied giving it a go since i am now in my 30's and have put on 2stones due to a health issue which I have been unable to shift, I have lost my sense of what suits my shape/age. I have booked a session at Debenhams for next month so will report back once i've been.
Hopefully if anyone else on here has been to a personal shopper they can hopefully give you their experience better than I can.

If_I_was_a_rich_girl...

jaggyjim wrote: »

Hi, Mrs Jim here.
Have you tried a personal shopper service at one the big department stores like Debenhams/John Lewis/House of Frasers? Its a free service and you get 2hrs-ish with a personal shopper.
I haven't tried it myself but always fancied giving it a go since i am now in my 30's and have put on 2stones due to a health issue which I have been unable to shift, I have lost my sense of what suits my shape/age. I have booked a session at Debenhams for next month so will report back once i've been.
Hopefully if anyone else on here has been to a personal shopper they can hopefully give you their experience better than I can.

Brilliant idea, I have booked a personal shopper at my local Debenhams for Saturday. Hope it will give me some ideas even if I cannot afford to buy everything! :T

Fuzzy_Duck

Another one for New Look and Next.

All my work trousers are from New Look. I think I got four pairs a few years back for £60 which wasn't bad at all. And they're still going strong!

Next stuff is great quality and you can get stuff quite cheaply. I'd recommend it for comfy, but smart-looking tops. Try searching '3 pack tops' on their website. They do lots of nice tops for £30 a pack, so £10 each. They also have plenty of single tops for around £12 each. I think they're perfectly acceptable for the office, but if you want to smarten them up more they'd look great with a blazer on top.

You might also want to try H&M. Their sizes are titchy so you generally want to go a size up, and they're not as good quality, but they are cheap. They do lovely dresses and blazers which would be appropriate for work.

As for shoes, only Clarks and Skechers have lasted me a long time and been comfortable enough for work. I like a plain black pair with a slight wedge and both brands to plenty of those.

h007

jaggyjim wrote: »

Hi, Mrs Jim here.
Have you tried a personal shopper service at one the big department stores like Debenhams/John Lewis/House of Frasers? Its a free service and you get 2hrs-ish with a personal shopper.
I haven't tried it myself but always fancied giving it a go since i am now in my 30's and have put on 2stones due to a health issue which I have been unable to shift, I have lost my sense of what suits my shape/age. I have booked a session at Debenhams for next month so will report back once i've been.
Hopefully if anyone else on here has been to a personal shopper they can hopefully give you their experience better than I can.

I have done this at debenhams - you tell them what kind of clothes you are after and they go off and get a pile for you to try on.
they do of course pick up alot of the more expensive brands but you are free to say no to anything they suggest