Opinions needed! Is this acceptable?

[blackcurrentsquash]

Hi, this might be a really, really obvious question but I don’t have a mum who could have taught me these things growing up.

what counts as ‘professional?’ clothes? I’m in my early 20s and for my new job we’ve been advised that the dress code is colourful and fun but smart casual/professional too. They just said don’t wear anything too short or revealing or skimpy but there wasn’t any specific requirements. I have a really nice blue dress which is so comfortable on but it comes above my knee by around 2 inches roughly. When I walk it doesn’t rise up and it’s not revealing at all but it’s just the length I’m unsure about! Does professional usually mean knee length? I don’t want to do the wrong thing but I don’t really know what the general consensus is for smart casual attire but not ‘too revealing’

its got ruffle sleeves so not cut away or skimpy at all and I would be wearing it with black tights

do you think that would be ok? Thanks 🙏

Sounds absolutely perfect to me but it may be industry specific for example, creative industries likely to be a bit different to law (although I’ll caveat it with, I think it sounds great for most/all industries).

What’s the job, roughly, OP?

hi. if you are wearing with tights, it should be fine. also I would buy some smartish trousers, chinos are nice for smart casual. and some half sleeve/cap sleeve tops and couple of cardies to mix and match. skirts and dresses (knee length or midi) are good too.
just buy a few outfits to get you through the weekdays for now and then when you have a little more cash to splash you can slowly build your professional wardrobe.

Hi @blackcurrentsquash
Yes that outfit would definitely be ok.
Congratulations on your new job! x

I think with tights that would be absolutely fine.

I have a 'professional' job and the dress code is fairly relaxed unless when we're client facing. I wear dresses with tights about the same length. To give you an idea, I also wear skirts/trousers/jeans (but not with rips) with shirts/jumpers, a t shirt and blazer, jumper dresses, jump-suits. Shoes wise think boots (Chelsea, with small block heel, or even long riding boots especially with a jumper dress) brogues, loafers, ballet flats etc.

You'll get the gist once you've been there a week and noticed what everyone else is wearing.

Good luck in your new job! X

Sounds fine to me.

No bare midriffs
Avoid overly outlandish hair
Avoid overly excitable jewellery
Reasonably sensible shoes
No bare legs
If applicable, a tie

for the dress, it also depends how tight it is - not too tight is good.

I have black trousers and a colourful top as standard work-wear. if you have a few things that are OK for the first week, then you can look around and see what other people wear. then you can celebrate your first pay check with a new outfit.

That sounds fine. Two inches above knee is ok as long as dress isn't revealing in other ways. With tights...even more fine.

I would err on the side of being conservative for the first week until you suss out what others are wearing and then adapt as necessary. Definitely avoid flashing your midriff or cleavage, wearing a skirt that only just covers your arse, or wearing anything see through.

I wouldn't bat an eyelid at the dress length; but it's not just about length. You could be wearing an ankle length dress but if it were cut to the waist with your boobs falling out, the hem length would be irrelevant!

Bare legs don't bother me at all. I wouldn't even clock whether a woman was wearing tights or not.

OTOH don't do what one of my little student wonders did, when asked to dress professionally as they were doing HCP roleplay - a bumskimming "skater girl" dress with spaghetti straps, offset with kneehigh socks - Oh my eyes!!

Sounds fine. If you can maybe invest in a smart jacket / cardigan to go over the top.

My work wardrobe consisted of smart black trousers, ankle not to high healed boots, various tops in different colours but no cleavage, good winter coat, nice jumpers. Also fitted jeans aswell worked.

She is only in her early 20s, and those clothes are far too old-fashioned for her.

Op I think what they are worried about, is people whose skirts are very short, whose necklines are too low, and who are showing their belly. As long as your clothes are clean, you wash your hair regularly and you follow those rules about your clothes, then you'll be absolutely fine. You can always look at what the other women are wearing and do something similar.

Here’s the easiest rules to keep in mind.

• Would you wear it to a club? Then probably don’t wear it to work.
• Any undergarments on display… don’t wear it
• Do you have skin showing that would be showing if you were wearing a bikini… Don’t wear it

Skirts can be a couple of inches above the knee. You can wear a sheer blouse if you wear a tank top or something underneath it. Be careful of cleavage, when in doubt wear something underneath it for coverage.

Tightness can be ok… trousers and skirts can be tight. But again see undergarments rule.

Weirdly shoes can change the entire tone of an outfit. So be aware of that.