To ask how some recommendations on office wear?

[Auramigraine]

Hi all

I need some office clothes, going to go shopping next week...... ‘smart casual’

Any ideas?

Title should say to ask for some recommendations’

What sort of job is it?

Smart casual can mean all sorts! My workplace is smart casual but many people wear jeans, jumpers and trainers! I've worked in other places where smart casual means tailored trousers and a blouse, no denim, no trainers, no logos or prints.

My favourite work outfits are stretchy trousers with tunic tops and a cardigan. Make sure the hem of the cardigan finishes at the hem of the tunic. Or dresses with soft bamboo tights and cropped cardigans. Think about colours that go well together, like navy with mustard or ochre, grey with pink or peach, brown with rust or oatmeal, teal with blue or cream. Find a few styles that really suit you. Make sure your footwear matches one of the colours in your outfit.

Why should your cardigan finish at the hem of your tunic? And why should shoes match a colour in your outfit? I think maybe I missed a memo and I've been getting dressed wrong for the last couple of decades.

Have just discovered Gap skinny ankle pants, fit really nicely for a slightly smarter than jeans look. Cropped at the ankle, go with flat shoes/trainers or short ankle boots. Shirt or top tucked in, cardi or casual jacket over top.

Why should your cardigan finish at the hem of your tunic? And why should shoes match a colour in your outfit?

Because it looks odd and scruffy to have your cardigan finish a few inches above or below your tunic. Like wearing a v-neck top under a scoop neck jumper.

I think shoes should match one of your outfit colours or they look stuck-on as an afterthought eg black shoes with a navy dress and brown cardigan or brown boots with a grey/black outfit. A scarf with the colour or the footwear is a good way of pulling it all together.

I wear ankle length skinny trousers or a skirt (not too dressy) with flat shoes and then any nice top and cardigan or jumper.

Don't agree with your shoes comment OneStepSideways. If I'm wearing all black, i love to wear beautiful red shoes, or my stunning nude and black shoes. Red is my favourite colour and, well, let's just say I walk along looking for any shiny / reflective surface so that I can admire my beautiful shoes LOL usually at the expense of running into a wall or two...

Posted before I finished

I love drawing attention to my beautiful shoes. People who know me always check out my feet

I think a bright or nude shoe against a bock of colour (all black, all navy etc) looks fab. I agree with OneStep about black shoes with a navy dress (or vice versa) especially if also worn with navy tights - I think it looks unmatched.

Mu office is full on scruffy at times, unless we're going to a client. I like tailored trousers- slim or wider leg is a personal preference of the wearer, as long as they are a good fit, I don't think it matters. On top I used to wear a lot of those tunic / shell tops that come to the hip, but recently I have bought some shirts in a soft fabric. Tucked in on their own looks pretty smart or untucked with a cami top under is more casual.
I wear too many cardigans, and need to ditch some, but I tend to go for long knee length fine-knits, in the same colour as my trousers (and shoes )

Dresses and a cardigan or jacket are so handy too. I feel more dressed up in a dress, but it is not much of an effort to throw one on.

I need to update my work clothes again, and hope to buy a few soft blazers or jackets, that will replace some of the bobbly knitwear

Maybe someone should tell Julien Macdonald OBE, designer of the British Airways uniforms, that navy doesn’t go with black. I wore my navy blue suit with barely black tights and court shoes as detailed in the uniform standards book!

To work, I mostly wear White Stuff dresses or skirts and tops. I also do volunteering as a primary school helper so I fit right in! I wear ankle boots.

Sometimes I wear Hobbs dresses with either ballet flats or low heels.

Get to the Gap.

White shirts with navy stretch chinos, any clean shoes. Thought out jewellery. You are done.

Get a light blue or checked shirt while you are there as well.

I had to google 'smart casual' to see what it means.
For women, seems to mean linen jackets with a plain (solid) colour top and matching trousers/skirt. (No tie). Matching shoes (I forget to notice shoes).

My office wear seems to be something like school-style black trousers and a synthetic, probably patterned or colourful comfy top (pic'd examples). I hate tights so I wear leggings under skirts instead. Can get away with cardi over a dress, but only until early afternoon. As lightweight as possible b/c our office is Roasting hot!

I hate being conspicuous but still want to stand my ground about: I'm the only woman in office who doesn't dye gray out of hair & in minority by not wearing high heels. Meetings heave with artificial blondes.