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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to HATE work/office wear?

76 replies

bluecake2 · 03/02/2019 16:48

I'm lucky in that my office permits casual wear for day to day work, such as jeans, trainers, etc. However, when I have to go to meetings with customers I have to dress up and I HATE it.

For one, I don't have the figure for it. Day to day I wear casual dresses, jeans, jumpers, trainers, boots etc. Formal trousers look terrible on me, as do suit skirts. I have a large chest and blazers look terrible too. I also HATE high heels, they give me blisters and are very uncomfortable.

Second, formal wear is usually itchy and uncomfortable. And cold. and did I mention the shoes? Even flat shoes, such as dolly shoes, are just not suitable for the winter months.

OP posts:
Sakura7 · 04/02/2019 07:53

Gwenhwyfar For many body types it is harder to get well fitting formal clothes than regular clothes. Loose fitting jumpers/tees and stretchy jeans or leggings are typically not acceptable in a formal workplace. In some smart casual environments they might be, but in traditional suit and tie type place they wouldn't. So you're stuck with suits and shirts/blouses which are very restrictive (not to mention cold!).

yy558 · 04/02/2019 07:55

Found some nice high waisted tux ones from zara the other day..

Mistigri · 04/02/2019 07:56

You don't have to wear high heels or blazers. I'm a 50 something in a senior role in a large company and I have never in my life worn high heels or a pencil skirt or a blazer (anywhere, let alone at work).

Find a smart version of whatever you are comfortable in, and maybe buy the same style in 2-3 different colours so you don't have to think about this again for a year.

Holidayshopping · 04/02/2019 07:58

I’m 40 and have never work office wear!

Casual dresses and boots all the way here! Nice scarf and a necklace. I think I maybe err on the side of being slightly scruffy, but do ok!

MacarenaFerreiro · 04/02/2019 08:03

For.smart office wear i get the good quality jersey knee length dresses

I have one of those, it's a grey wrap jersey dress from Planet. (Although I got it in a charity shop). It's SO comfortable. Agree that you don't need high heels either.

I don't do high heels either, I have shoes with a low, chunky heel like my daughter's tap shoes. Smart, comfortable.

OP is very narrow minded if she thinks smart business clothing means trousers, high heels and a blazer.

NaturalBornWoman · 04/02/2019 08:05

As long as you're clean and neat, I don't see what's wrong with wearing jeans and a jumper to work. I just wish the working world would move to that way of thinking. It's happening gradually but not fast enough for my liking!

I don't see how jeans and a jumper is less restrictive than a knitted dress and tights, or a stretch skirt and tights, or good quality trousers with a lot of stretch. I love my smart casual work clothes and no longer own a trouser suit.

ybvu · 04/02/2019 08:06

If you can find jeans you should be able to find trousers

I think it's more you don't like the idea of different clothing if you put some effort and interest into a different wardrobe. I have a large chest too and just need to find the right cut of jacket.

A free personal shopping experience could be good for you. You could also look on Pininterest for different styles of clothing for your body shape

MikeUniformMike · 04/02/2019 09:05

Er, no. Jeans are tight, trousers aren't. I end up with too big or too small on the waist, too long or too short, flappy legs and a baggy arse. If they look nice when I stand then they're too tight around the crotch to be sitting in all day.
Jeans are stretchy, comfortable and I always wear them with flattish shoes.

Snog · 04/02/2019 09:07

YANBU OP
It's a PITA to have to spend money on (often expensive) clothes you wouldn't usually choose to wear which I agree are usually less comfortable and often too hot or cold. I found stretchy jersey dresses the best option as I could cycle to work in them. Not best for hot flushes though.

I am now self employed, work from home, and today will be wearing some comfy corduroy Lucy and Yak dungarees.

I think offices have mostly moved towards more casual clothes compared to even 5 years ago. DH who is a corporate senior manager since last year can now wear chinos or even jeans if he has no client meetings, used to be suits and ties.

bridgetreilly · 04/02/2019 09:08

Warm knee-high boots, a dress, a nice cardigan and if the clients don't like it, tough.

MikeUniformMike · 04/02/2019 09:33

Dresses, skirts, trousers and jackets sometimes don't have any pockets. Or they might have fake ones.
Great.
If you've ever worked in an office where there's petty thieving, you do not want to leave your keys and wallet on your desk, and you can't lug your handbag with you everywhere.

JaceLancs · 04/02/2019 09:35

I don’t suit old fashioned traditional office wear either
I manage with skinny dark trousers with ankle boots in winter and pointed flats in summer
Plain dark tube skirts work for me too
Jersey dresses or sweater dresses
In winter tend to be a plain cashmere or merino jumper on top or sometimes a plain shirt or jersey top with plain cardigan
Jersey blazers
I also have some amazing coats - sometimes they are all that anyone notices
Depends on environment - I go round county to various meetings and need to make an impact and look quite formal but in my office in between there is often no one else around

JaceLancs · 04/02/2019 09:36

Jaeger Hobbs and whistles along with tkmaxx are my favourites with occasional phase 8

Sakura7 · 04/02/2019 10:11

NaturalBornWoman - but why not give people the choice? You like smarter wear, I like jeans and casual wear, yet I have to conform to someone else's preferences. There's no good reason to impose strict dress codes in this day and age. Obviously people who enjoy that style can continue to wear it, but don't force it on everyone.

RiverTam · 04/02/2019 10:17

I would look such a frump in 'smart office wear', in fact far worse than I would in my good jeans, decent top and cardy and clean trainers or boots. Don't have the figure or the budget for anything decent, plus I struggle in any kind of 'structured' shoe (wide feet, low ankle bone).

But unfortunately some people are immensely narrow minded and can't see beyond their own view of how the working world should be.

Mistigri · 04/02/2019 11:34

If you can find jeans you should be able to find trousers

Yeah I'm baffled at this too.

I can understand that people might resent spending money on work wear, but tbh work clothes are just clothes - you have to wear something and if you're wearing your work clothes you aren't wearing out your casual clothes.

Because I work mostly from home I buy good quality but plain work outfits that won't go out of fashion and will last me for several years.

RiverTam · 04/02/2019 11:40

I struggle to find jeans!! But yes, I can find trousers that fit - they just look bloody awful.

Mistigri · 04/02/2019 11:55

Unless you work in the fashion industry I'm not sure that's relevant.

Teateaandmoretea · 05/02/2019 11:32

I just wear dresses much easier, a whole outfit and more comfortable. I have a range of different levels of smartness.

Teateaandmoretea · 05/02/2019 11:33

Unless you work in the fashion industry I'm not sure that's relevant.

Confused yeah all us non-fashion types love going into work looking a total disaster......

makingmyway10 · 05/02/2019 12:26

I work in an Independent school in a non-teaching role. I have to look very smart as my role involves meeting prospective parents amongst other people. I am a size 16 and a classic apple shape with a generous bust! I love looking smart. I wear a lot of dresses with a fitted cardigan and a jacket to put on when necessary. I do not suit smart trousers but love skirts and dresses. I shop in Phase Eight, Hobbs, White Stuff for cardigans. I wear shoes with a small and comfortable heel and whilst not the cutting edge of fashion Grin I look smart and suitable for my role. Other office staff who do not meet visitors dress slightly more casually but still look smart. Things I could not wear to work are; jeans, leggings tunics and denim or sloppy footwear. I have only seen one staff member dress unsuitably and she went home to change after being brought up on it! I actually love dressing for work possibly because I spent a long time as a stay at home Mum and now have the opportunity to dress up every day!

RiverTam · 05/02/2019 12:41

making I feel the exact opposite - spent a long time at home and now can't bear being forced into 'smart' clothing, especially footwear.

My concession to 'smart' is that I like to do my nails.

adaline · 05/02/2019 12:49

If you can find jeans you should be able to find trousers

But they're completely different fits. I work in a clothes shop and the only trousers we sell that fit me are the jeans. The trousers are either fine on the waist but loose on the legs, or the other way around. I just don't find them comfortable at all and I spend my day adjusting my waist band.

makingmyway10 · 05/02/2019 13:00

RiverTam I wish I spent more time on my nails! Smile Funny one of the things I love most about going back to work is wearing heels!

Carbosug · 05/02/2019 19:27

I just have a few dresses that I can throw on with dark tights. I don't bother with jackets or formal looking skirts that need to be matched together.