Pls help! 'smart casual' 1st day new job at head office for high-end fashion retailer

[daisylulu]

Oh wise mumsnetters please can you help?

I've landed a great job as part of the finance team at head office of a high end fashion retailer. Of all things I'm stressing about what to wear!

I've been told that there isn't a dress code but I should go 'smart casual with no jeans' at first until I've established 'business relationships.'

To be honest I have never really understood the whole 'smart casual' thing. Currently my wardrobe consists of suits and very smart dresses for my current work, or skinny jeans, v casual t-shirts etc out of work.

Methinks I'm going to have to invest in a new wardrobe (including shoes!). Please can anyone help with some basic essentials to get me through my first few weeks?

I'm totally clueless and will be forever grateful if anyone can help. I suddenly feel very initimated that I'm going to be working amongst fashion buyers and designers who will no doubt look fabulous. In case it helps - I'm short (5'2ish), apple shaped and a size 8-10.

[CMOTDibbler]

I'd go with your dresses to begin with - dress them down a bit with cardis, opaque tights etc if you want.

If the trousers of your suits aren't too wide, maybe some chiffony shirt/blouses with them, or cardis if wide. I got some lovely drapey tops from Kaliko on ebay that would make a great smart/casual

[daisylulu]

Thank you- what shoes should I wear with the dresses? Typically my dresses are pencil type skirt and look very smart with heels. I'm not sure if they'd just look wrong with flat pumps.

Should I be looking at a totally different style of dress?

[CMOTDibbler]

How about some wedges in a colour? Just dials it down a couple of notches.

I'd leave spashing out till you see what everyone else wears though - when I'm popping into customers (not formal meetings, and my customers arent smart dressers) I wear jersey dresses with long boots or patent pumps or black trousers and a jersey top. But some smart casual places are v casual and others are fairly smart - and when starting you want to be just the casual end of formal tbh

[FauxFox]

Existing suit trousers with high heels and a shirt look on NAP for styling examples
wide leg with shirt and statement necklace
cropped with casual-ish shirt and stilettos
bright with white
You don't have to spend a lot, any of these take your fancy?
yellow
black and cream
parrots
blue
white

To be honest i'd put on your fav suit trousers and shoes and get to Zara and try on stuff until you are too tired to try on any more

[daisylulu]

Thanks so much for the suggestions.

FauxFox - I really like the first three tops.

I think I will be able to find some that will be suitable.

I'm just not that keen on my suit trousers without a jacket. They look a bit naff.

I LOVE the trousers on the NAP wesbite. Unfortunately these are way out of my budget. If you have any suggestions for trousers I'd be really grateful.

Sorry to keep coming back with yet more requests

[CMOTDibbler]

I've got these tapered trousers, and they are really nice on. Am wearing them with the sandals as shown and a loose blouse and got loads of compliments

[sweetheart]

I'm sulking, that sounds like my perfect job! Any chance you could let me know how you came about it so I know where to look?

I'd go with your suit trousers worn without the jackets and dressed down with tshirts / tops and cardigans. Try them with flats instead of heals to dress them down further.

[sweetheart]

Or what about skinny trousers / cigarette pants?

[Spookey80]

I would go with brogues, maybe paired with little dresses. Seems a bit more modern than heels or wedges to me.
I also think some nice cigarette trousers with some blouses could be the way to go.
I would also reccomend going to zara to quickly update yr wardrobe for the least amount.
Good luck, I'm well jel! Lol.
...my dh dreads me ever getting a job without a uniform! I'm always seeing 'things I could wear if I had a job that didn't require uniform'!

[daisylulu]

Thank you so much you ladies are fab. All of these sound great. I'm definitely going to get some cigarette trousers and take a trip to Zara.

sweetheart think it was just pure luck getting the role- I registered with agency specialising in finance role . When they told me they had a part time role at this company I nearly bit their hand off! Good luck if you're job hunting