Ladies - any tips on work clothes?

SmallL

I really am scuppered, i have an interview on tuesday but can't find a shirt to wear that fits.
I would buy something off bravissimo but its really pricy.
I'm not sure what to do, wear my shirt that gapes horribly at the chest or .......not wear a shirt?

Tiddlywinks

SmallL wrote: »

I really am scuppered, i have an interview on tuesday but can't find a shirt to wear that fits.
I would buy something off bravissimo but its really pricy.
I'm not sure what to do, wear my shirt that gapes horribly at the chest or .......not wear a shirt?

M&S have got some jersey tops that could be smartened up with chunky jewellery of a scarf... they should be more accommodating than a buttoned blouse.

Lieja

Charity shops - I get the majority of my office wear in charity shops and you can usually find some good quality brands. I would never spend much on work clothes - I'd much rather have an expensive outfit for the weekend!

Savvy_Sue

YORKSHIRELASS wrote: »

Do you have any secrets about where you buy your work clothes that might surprise other people?

charity shops. I usually wear silk or linen shirts (often men's) with a scarf or fancy necklace. Right now I'm wearing the top half of my bargainous M&S silk pyjamas because I've ripped my bra off and it's not quite warm enough to stay topless, I paid £2.25 for them!

In the winter, I often wear very plain casual trousers / jog bottoms from Debenhams. Not with elastic at the ankles, and not with go faster stripes up the sides. Very comfy!

Shoey1610

SmallL wrote: »

I really am scuppered, i have an interview on tuesday but can't find a shirt to wear that fits.
I would buy something off bravissimo but its really pricy.
I'm not sure what to do, wear my shirt that gapes horribly at the chest or .......not wear a shirt?

I have this problem, 34F and size 12 or the arms look stupidly massive on me. I've always worn a smart jersey top and good jewellery to an interview rather than unwittingly flash my bra to the interviewer. I've always got the job.

Goldiegirl

I've always kept my working wardrobe very simple.

I've always worn trousers (black, navy or grey) with a top or blouse.

The top differs depending on what season it is.

I'm only working two days a week, and one of those is dress down Friday.

So all I have now is one pair of black trousers, a pair of blue jeans, and about four long sleeved tops and four short sleeved tops.

I got a few of those things on eBay.

My target now is to try not to buy much more for work until I retire in 2016!

bubblegumcola

Congrats on your new job!
Agree with other posters on here, don't buy too much til you start and get an idea of what others wear to the office or sound out from others if there is actually a work dress code.

I have a mixture of things from M&S outlet shop, supermarkets and Primark. Plain knee length skirts, black/white/blue/pink plain shirts, one pair of black trousers and one pair of grey trousers and a black shift dress which is machine washable and you can wear shirts underneath it or long sleeved tops in the winter. Charity shops are definitely a good idea for quality pieces at cheaper prices such as a suit.

With shoes I have two pairs which I leave at work, I wear other shoes to commute to work or trainers/wellies/boots depending on the weather. I generally buy my work shoes in the Clarks sale and I find they last a very long time if I only wear them in work rather than wearing them on my commute.

AP007

I buy my shoes either at Office, or Jones the Bootmakers

Suits/suit jackets I get in Next or John Lewis plus a mix of skirts from Next too and some from Debenhams. Don't wear blouses but tops instead.

Bags - Radley, RI2K etc

monicaG84

Hi tiddlywinks I know this is the first reaction, but what about real power politics and a quick ascent through the ranks? Projecting vitality lets people know you're there to win, no?

Coraline

I think we ladies have it a lot easier in this regard opposed to blokes!

I've always interviewed in a suit (trousers and jacket) and no problems. But if you interview in a (long) skirt, no problem.

I always thought that dressing overly conservatively is better than the opposite.