Office dress codes in USA?

[BabCNesbitt]

DD will be 2 in a couple of months, and I'm looking into applying for jobs here - after being in the US as a SAHM for over a year, I'm bored shitless and my credit score is still non-existent! I may be getting ahead of myself, but I'm wondering what would be appropriate interview outfits for office jobs here? (My wardrobe consists entirely of jeans and casual tops, all year round... sigh)

I worked in a law firm in the UK, but even in that fairly formal environment, it was OK to wear bright opaque tights or 60s-style shift dresses (my former wardrobe... sigh again) as long as they were 'smart'. But I get the feeling that offices are generally much more conservative environments in the US? Do I have to start hunting down navy Ann Taylor suits at the thrift store? Or stocking up on sheer "pantyhose"?

Could you find out the addresses and scope them out? Wander past, see what the people going in and out of the building are wearing, that kind of thing?

Or maybe you'll get away with a different style because you are "the quirky English woman". :o

There's also the fact that what you should wear to the interview and what you'll wear in practice are probably 2 different things. In my experience, the US norm is slightly more casual, but more conservative. Navy or black suit for interview and week 1, then check out what everyone else is wearing .

Here in Canada I was expected to dress like my mother... I went in to a few stores and asked them if they could help me put together a few outfits. Omg. I wore the stuff for a bit and it's all gone to charity now. I decided that working in an arts college was far more practical than being expected to dress like a staid 60yo day in day out.

Hi,

It depends on the type of law office you work in. My husband is a lawyer here too.

He works as an in house lawyer and goes to work in t shirts and jeans!

Friends we have who work in other law firms don't wear suits everyday. It tends to be knee length skirts, smart dresses and trousers!

Good luck

prissy where on earth were you working?! I definitely don't think the North American workplace is more formal than here, in general.

Depends so much on the individual company (also west coast tends to be more casual than rest of the USA).
Agree with go formal and dress down later if you want.

Banks/ credit unions... I'm not sure if it was the 'formality' aspect or the fashion one, tbh... It seemed much older and stuffier for general office wear...

Where I am working now is much more relaxed - as it's a creative environment, it's pretty much individual style with a smart/ casual edge.

Your credit score isn't a big problem if you explain upfront before they run the report. I offered that my employer run a report through the UK using the same company.

I am an auditor here in the NY Metro area. When I am not sure of what I should be wearing I go to Nordstrom. They are great at sorting you out. I have two young children and no time for dry cleaning. Washable dresses can be found at dressbarn. The selection is slim but I find a dress in there every 2-3 months. I get coloured dresses and put a navy or black jacket over the top.

For your initial outfit I would suggest Brooks Brothers. They do some very nice stuff which is formal. Another great place is Theory but the sizing just doesn't work for me.