How to dress a 15 years old girl for 1 day at Canary Warf?

[Dontlikepink]

All opinions welcome

It depends what shes doing there/what conpany, but as a general idea: Slim trousers and blouse or top.

If she's travelling on the tube in the next few days it will be roasting, so keep it cool.

But wouldn't it be bizarre on a 15 yo or is it just me?
I want her lo look professional, but yet a child ...Any examples?

Does it have to be a posh brand - to show appreciation of the place as I was hinted - or would a budget item do?

Depends what she is doing.

How is blouse and trousers bizarre?

She is doing work shadowing at a bank - listening, looking as a promising young spark.
Blouse and trousers not bizarre - just the ones I see in shops are either too "old" or too sexy

I'd suggest slim fit trousers or a pencil skirt, tights (not bare legs) and mid to flat heels. Smart top and a cardigan.
And please - understated make up! Obviously I don't know your daughter but orange plus scary eyebrows is not a good office look.

I work in a Bank in Canary Wharf btw. Sometimes we are transfixed by the eyebrows of young girls visiting .
I hope she enjoys her day, there should be no need to spend a fortune on clothes, just to look clean tidy and presentable.

Make up is not a worry

Colours? Does it have to be black and white?

Doesn't have to be black and white. I have black/navy trousers and a very pale pink floaty top that I wear.

I also have a maroon skirt that I wear with a range of different coloured (but still sober coloured) tops

I think maybe the "too old" blouses are what you want, simpler the better. I'm not sure you can look like a professional child

Above all, layers for temperature extremes and shoes she can trudge around in.

DD did work experience for a week over the summer in Canary Wharf. She wore a dress and cardigan or skirt and blouse - basically 6th Form school wear.

She loved it - hope your DD has fun!

Thanks for all your comments.

I know slim trousers look sophisticated and professional, especially on slim legs with a good brand cut. However my daughter has full thighs, so like on me, slim fit looks awful on her. Pencil skirts are a no go for the same reason- they pull up on the thighs when sited and look dreadful.

Are this season's coloured jeans or chinos acceptable as smart casual or must the trousers be loose fitting formal style?

coloured jeans or chinos -- I think to casual.

My DD did something similar for her work experience, she wore short smartish dresses with leggings and a casual blazer on top.
We did try on a couple of basic work suits, but as you say she looked too old for her years.

I remember work experience...dressing up in my sisters clothes looking a right state! What about a black a-line skirt, or smart black crops, top/shirt and ballet pumps?

Yes, I raided the online sales of a respectable high street store and found a selection to try on: an a-line skirt, a dress, a couple of blouses and a suit. Let's see how she looks in those. They are all white/navy though as DD hates black and it does not suit her complexion. I hope that isn't a faux pas.

The dress and the skirt are more like sophisticated smart casual - too smart for a real teenager, but not looking like a schoolgirl dressed up as a banker :). Need to try on to figure it out.

Interestingly, the suit with buttoned up blouse might look the most like "professional child".

But the point surely is that she needs to dress as if she was working- so later on in life she will presumably need to wear smart trousers and a smart top- or dress? There must be lots of dresses in H&M, etc which she likes and with a cardigan look nice?

I work for a major bank there - currently in another office, and on maternity - but my work uniform is a nice dress and shoes. Nothing too high on the knee or low cut.

Ps colour doesn't matter. I wouldn't go for a huge print, though. One of my nicest dresses for work is a red skater dress from dotty p.

Just reading other messages. HUGE no no to leggings. CW is an extension of the city. Leggings do not belong.

A shift-type dress with flats or low heels would be my bet. Possibly more versatile than a blouse and skirt combo too- could be recycled for a wedding or other family event?

I recently bought this for work which is fab and the kind of thing I am thinking of.

Well, I am trying to reconcile formal business city look, with non-sexual 15 yo school girl, with a style that fits and suits well. So that she looks individual, confident and like she belongs there.

Black figure hugging dresses are a bit too sexual. I realize they are mute for a mature woman, but on her it will look like she is trying to be a woman. She doesn't try yet. Black doesn't suit her and she hates it.

Most dresses are too short because DD is very tall - 5'8 (177 cm). So we really need to find the piece that looks and fits the part.

I really like this skirt with this blouse. Or is it too casual?

Then we'll have to go for a formal trouser suit. I like this. That's what I mean by a "professional child". Is it too casual too?

Or would you go for the
plain skirt like this with a classic blouse? Might be OK

That's a lovely trouser suit! On a slim young girl I imagine that will look gorgeous - fresh and a bit androgynous and not too "trying to be an adult". With navy ballet pumps or maybe loafer type things? Would she feel comfortable in a suit, do you think? I think confidence with business attire comes from wearing things close to what you normally wear.

The dress I linked to is navy, but I take your point. I like the trouser suit a lot. The jacquard skirt is a bit short going by the shot of the model I think.

Out of a range of things, she liked the suit most, so she should be the most comfortable in it. Her school uniform is also a blue suit.

Hair...
She usually wears a pony tail and I think this is just fine.