Daughter starting first job

[cluelesscountrymum]

Help! Where can we go for 'business casual' workwear? Daughter starting graduate traineeship in London on Monday & has NOTHING appropriate. She thought COS, French Connection, Zara - any other ideas? Not only have I never needed such clothes (I work for the BBC), I live in deepest countryside & am v out of touch on age grounds! Central London outlets best - we have limited time to search. Any advice VERY gratefully received!

H&M?

Try warehouse? Good for a few formal bits.

I would suggest that you got to Zara for some work trousers and warehouse for skirts, then you an just focus on tops and blouses for variety.

Dresses from warehouse are nice but you get more combinations with tops/bottoms.

H&M have a line called MODERN CLASSIC, that is quite good (You can take a look online).

I get most of my 'business casual' style work clothes from H&M

Zara is a solid choice, their workwear is excellent. Also it’s a bit old fashioned but for staples M&S is good value - you’ll get decent trousers and skirts in there and then she can jazz it up a bit with zara shirts and accessories.

I'd go for just buying a few staple pieces like good black trousers and neat tops from Zara/ Warehouse/River Island and then seeing what others her age and role wear in reality as you always want to fit in with what is standard for that office. Maybe get one outfit that she can be really smart in if she will do client meetings

Cos is a bit pricy for a first job

Uniqlo

Zara, H&M, next, new look often have nice bits in suitable for work, warehouse, house of Fraser

Try google, online delivery? Providing the delivery drivers can find your address, of course. Or a day in London.

Any clue about what your DD is going to be working in? If law eg corporate, then definitely formal and as up market as you can go and I'd second Zara with something from The Fold sale. If runner in a production company you'd know what she'd wear. Google ahead about what's in. I'd suggest she just buys something slightly formal - lovely skirt, white shirt/T-shirt, blazer/jacket and good/comfortable shoes and then revisits her choices after fortnight at work. You also haven't said what her budget is. If v tight, then google second hand clothes - unsurprisingly there are places in London where people ditch clothes after one wear/season for peanuts. Think Erdem suit for £10. Or if you can make it, isn't there Bicester village where you get very naice brands for very little? I know starter lawyers tend to storm it but I will stand corrected.

Warehouse dresses are worn a lot in my company. Smart but not too smart. Having a blazer to go over anything for meetings if needed is always a good idea, but suits definitely not necessary. H&M good for blazers.

I can't believe how brilliant you all are! Thank you SO much - really really useful and we'll be visiting all stores on Friday. Long day for an ancient Mum so I'll be wearing comfy trainers.....Her new workplace is a PR firm who do luxury brands & holidays - they say although business casual, her clothes should exhibit 'common sense and professionalism' & 'reflect the market that you are in'. Nothing too revealing, always ready for when clients pop in, & when visiting clients she must be 'smart & in line with client expectations'. Excellent suggestion of buying just a few basic staples for now & then seeing what everyone else is wearing - no point breaking the bank at this stage & then finding we've got it wrong. Yes - Cos may be a bit much for first job - I think their sale's over! Anyway THANK YOU THANK YOU to you ALL - I can't tell you how grateful I am. I'll report progress next week!

ASOS also have a workwear range, and New Look can be good for a few nice pieces

Boohoo can be great for nice blouses and trousers :)

Central London isn't actually that great for clothes shops, depending on where you live, you might be better going to somewhere like Kingston or Guildford.

I kid you not, really. I work near Covent Garden where you'd expect shops and there's no Fat Face, White Stuff or Monsoon, as examples. The nearest Fat Face is at Euston station. Although I suppose Westfield is a good option for most chains.

Oasis and Warehouse for the best work stuff.

ASOS, H&M and Mango do good quality but not hideously expensive work stuff. I'd also get a couple of smart jackets/blazers, a smart pair of shoes that go with almost everything (Nine West are nice for work, and comfortable) and some statement jewellery, to mix and match with outfits.

Oasis and Warehouse are my suggestions too.

I'm surprised that no-one has mentioned Next yet.

Definitely next!!