What do stylish people wear to work these days?

[RonSwansonsBestFriend]

I've just started a part-time job in a local office, fairly smart but not suits etc.

I haven't worked for 10 years to have no clue what to wear.

Can anybody point me in the right direction? Or to a website that gives ideas? I'm a size 6-8, can wear most things, just not midi-skirts.....

I don't want to look frumpy!!!

[hippospot]

Are you me??? I'm in the same situation.

I have five dresses (jersey, fairly plain) and I bought some black shoes. I figure I'll manage for the first week and that will give me time to take stock of the dress code (and also see if the office is chilly or overheated!) before I buy anything more.

If dresses prove to be acceptable I think I will stick to them, as it's more straightforward than coordinating separates.

The added challenge will be figuring out if I can actually cycle to the office in said dresses!

I just looked at La Redoute and the prices are quite good for dresses.

Good luck!

[RonSwansonsBestFriend]

Ah, a quest partner! I've bought a few skirts to wear with pumps and tights. I have plenty of tops but live in skinnies and boots, so need trousers too.

I don't even know what shoes are fashionable!

[wiltedcabbage]

I'm really struggling to find suitable trousers that aren't suit trousers but aren't jeans....so I'm watching with interest. Currently, I'm in a similar situation and tend to wear skinny coloured jeans (not denim) or short skirts/black opaque tights.

[SplinteryBottom]

I seem to have adopted a uniform of chinos or black trousers - often slightly turned up in summer with low wedges or leather trainers, a blazer style jacket over a simple top, or a wrap blouse/thin jumper. I now need to get some chunky heeled boots and brogues to carry on with the same uniform in winter.

Not sexy, not restrictive, not jeans. Seems to work so far.

[hippospot]

These are the shoes I bought: M&S

I have no idea if they are frumpy/stylish/whatever but they seem dressier than ballerinas and comfortable for my SAHM-trainer-wearing feet :)

[RonSwansonsBestFriend]

I just looked at those! They're not my style, I'm flat or high. But I realise in probably need to go for mid for comfort......

Any blogs out there I can look at?

[Somanyshoes]

DVF (Diane Von Furstenberg) wrap dresses, they're my staple. They look smart, but elegant and are very comfortable, I think I've got about 40 of them now, oops. They suit all shapes and sizes. I live overseas and do buy them in stores here, but I also buy on-line in the UK (taking advantage of the weak pound at the mo', sorry UK folks) from matches fashion.com and net-a-porter.com. They also sell at discounted prices on theoutnet.com.

[RonSwansonsBestFriend]

I work very few hours, although a good hourly rate, not enough to warrant dvf dresses! More like top shop budget.....

[Notfootball]

Me too! 5+ years at home and now in a smart casual office. I started at the arse-end of the summer so my short-sleeved shell tops all require a cardigan now, or a blazer but the blazer isn't warm enough to wear to work on its own, although its fine when in the variable temperature office. My favourite outfit so far has been the skinny black trousers H&M trousers mentioned in the other thread, an H&M light jumper and black western boots. I plan to replicate this outfit x 3 plus find some dresses, off to la reroute,

[adagio]

following - back to work form mat leave (9months off) shortly and worried i need to update!

so far got my usual staple shoes this season hush puppy. very comfy, i buy a pair a year - this year's buckle detail is much nicer than the slightly prissy bow they had last time around!

still got a few dorothy perkins jersey dresses which I wore with opaques, but they are from pre pregnancy so about 2 years old now (so might be dated?). got one new skirt from oasis, because I loved it - but no idea what to wear with it :( this one

[eurochick]

In my office dresses and cropped trousers are very popular at the moment. I don't really suit trousers so I am in dresses most days. I used to wear loads of skirts but don't much at the moment. That might change as it gets colder and I want to wear jumpers.

[carrotcakecupcake]

My usual 'uniform' is skinny trousers (Gap) a fitted/smart t-shirt or blouse and cardigan. This tends to work year round and allows me to adjust for excessive heating/cooling systems! I might add a scarf in winter.
I've just bough a pair of brogues from Clarks which are the most comfortable things ever. I am really liking how they look with black tights and a skirt.

[YellowLambBanana]

Shirts and tops from Dorothy Perkins are quite reasonable, Primark have loads of cardies for 6 pound or something and shift dresses from new look are great and don't need ironing! And just found cheap super skinny trousers from boohoo in loads of colours. As you can see my work wardrobe is on a budget ! Check out shoeaholics for discount kurt Keiger and carvela shoes and bags - loads of bargains on there.

[Shenanagins]

Usually cigarette pants, silky blouse with heels, brogues or Chelsea boots. Alternatively shift dresses or pencil skirts. Pretty safe but smart and relatively fashionable.

[1frenchfoodie]

I'm in a similar boat - start a new job in a smart corporate setting in Paris in January and my dress/cardigan/opaque tights/ flat black boots combo is unlikely to work. I'm aiming to build a core wardrobe of neutral separates and pieces to wear with existing dresses. Somebody here pointed me to a blog with great wardrobe ideas - theviviennefiles.com

[Judydreamsofhorses]

My usual work uniform at this time of year is short-ish a-line skirt (usually printed) with fine-knit, fitted jumper (usually plain), opaque tights and flat Chelsea boots. I mainly wear crew-neck jumpers, occasionally turtlenecks. I wear long-sleeved thermal tops underneath if it's very cold.

[hippospot]

Update on my purchases. La Redoute quality was horrible, I sent it all back and bought a Boden dress instead. I'd rather have one good dress than three rubbish ones!

[polyhymnia]

Was going to suggest Boden for decent quality work wear. Any LaRedoute I've tried in past has been v cheap and tacky looking.