Aibu to ignore dress code at new job

[statetrooperstacey]

Start new job next week, large office, noticed at interview that everybody were VERY casually dressed , jeans etc , several men in baggy grey trackie bottoms. Official dress code has been sent to me and it says ‘ smart business casual , jeans and trainers are acceptable’
I don’t really do T-shirts jeans and trainers , more dresses tights and boots type outfits. Is this ok do you think? Will I look like a twat?!!!

You will stand out—in a good way. Scruffy baggy sweatpants or tracksuit (for exercising) to work?? No.

Depends on your age.
If you’re in your fifties and the others are over twenty years younger you’ll appear a bit muttony in t shirt and joggers.

You’re not exactly ignoring the dress code.

I would be wary of looking overdone as it will make you stick out a bit. But if you don’t do casual, you should wear whatever you’re comfortable in.

In theory it should be okay but my sister is in a similar situation. She’s a social worker and works in a managerial position. She’s also the youngest on the team.

The dress code is smart casual and everyone in the office is very, VERY casual. My sister enjoys dressing up for her job (nothing crazy, just a shirt and smart trousers/ a nice skirt) but because everyone dresses really casual, she always gets comments. ‘Oh you look fancy,’ ‘where you off too after work’ etc.

It started to annoy her so much that now she just works from home everyday🫣I think it didn’t help that she was already 20 years younger then most people so she already felt slightly out of space

First day always dress smarter. It can be adapted as you go.

“Dresses, tight and boots” can cover quite a lot of ground TBH from very smart to pretty casual depending on what exactly you are wearing.

Don’t dress down to fit, looking better than everyone else is a real confidence boots.

I would wear what you suggest but try and make it appear more casual.
Those saying dressing up is fine are wrong, it depends on the culture.

Wear what makes you feel comfortable and happy at work. I always feel odd in jeans and tend not to wear them much. I've transitioned to trainers (I keep at work!) And trousers / skirts / dresses. My MD wears fabulous dresses and DMs

Just do you. Xx

Sorry that our life experiences are wrong.

It sounds like what you wear probably fits the dress code though, what bit are you ignoring? Joggers are not smart casual.

My workplace is a little like this. People come in oversized hoodies and jeans. Not just the ones who are younger than me, sometimes my older boss does. It isn't my thing, I'm no good at being really casual, I feel scruffy.
I wear smart trousers and shirts or blouses with smart shoes/brogues. It stood out a bit at first but no issue, we are used to each other now.
Wear what you suggest OP, you'll be fine.

I wear what you described at work and there is no dress code in my office. As far as I know nobody notices. Occasionally I get told I look nice which always good to hear. For the most part I don’t to think anyone pays that much attention to anyone else’s wardrobe choice

I always wear dresses, shirts, tights etc. Most people are dressed very casually, especially since Covid. Trainers, jeans etc. There’s a few who are more smartly dressed. I am a senior manager so I guess I feel like I can dress smarter and I do dress for confidence too. It’s rare I go in wearing jeans, an odd Friday when there’s 3 people in! You’re not breaking the dress code, just everyone else is!

Actually I quite enjoy being one of the very few in my large office of several hundred who wears smart clothes. I can never go to work wearing what I'd wear to go to Sainsbury's or to hang my laundry in the garden. That's how most people look like. But then, I was in my local HSBC the other day, and realised even there there's absolutely no smart dress code. The female head of one of the departments with whom I was dealing, was wearing a huge jumper, something I'd wear at home watching telly wrapped in a blanket. The overall work outfit culture is changing apparently. I don't like it and won't conform to it.

I am at the end of my career and remember when dress codes were very strictly applied. Now I do enjoy the greater freedom to wear more comfortable clothes at work but I would say I am usually more smartly dressed than colleagues. Plus I tend to stick to quite a neutral pallet, navy, white, grey, black, stone - with a brighter accent colour accessories.

I usually wear a dress or tailored trousers with a jacket or tailored cardigan - mainly for the layering for when the tropical moments strike. 🤪😅

However, one area I have fully embraced from the smart casual dress code is trainers and boots. My feet and knees have never been more grateful to ditch heels!

I’ a bit of a homebody and don’t really enjoy going to dinner or to bars etc, so often my only chance to dress up is family gatherings and work and team lunches etc. It’s a real confidence boost looking great.

you be fine. wear exactly what you have said. I work from home mostly but the days I go into the office I actually make an effort. Nice dress tights and boots for example. however other people will wear jeans and runners. when was in office full time that was my Friday style. I can't wear that other days sorry and am only in early 40s. I hate how things have become a bit too casual and will always make the effort. managers and directors in my office will be in trousers and suits or slacks and jumper. no one unless you are production (where they change to a suit when on floor) will wear a tracksuit.

Sounds like somewhere I used to work. Am not enjoying remembering the dev who wore his old joggers looking like he just rolled out of bed. There were lots in jeans ans tshirts. Management wore naice jeans and a smarter top and jacket, plenty women wore dresses with trainers, pumps, boots. As long as you don't look really corporate, you will look fine.

I think what you have said you are going to wear sounds fine. Tbh, when I visit th office (which isn't much at all) I would probably say I look the most smart, as I tend to go for smart dresses / tops etc but thats just me, and I'd be really uncomfortable in jeans all day. Noone bats an eye. I think because that's how I've always dressed, that's just me. Start as u mean to go on I would say :-)

Just to add, I definately don't dress 'corporate' just more smarter than casual jeans and a top etc.

Wear what you want, as long as you feel comfortable. You may be smarter than the others, but so what. They'll soon get used to your style!

Anyone wearing grey sloppy tracksuit bottoms to work in an office environment doesn't care about being taken seriously.

We're drilled in unconscious bias but I can guarantee there would be plenty of conscious bias towards someone who gives so few f*s about their career

Out of curiosity OP what sort of work/industry is this?

I'm 100% in favour of casual wear in the workplace, but I'd be actually grossed out by men wearing baggy grey joggers..