Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Settle this debate: If you work in a smart/casual office, would you deem it acceptable to wear an oversized jumper over black leggings?

45 replies

AdrenalineFudge · 17/04/2016 21:26

Just a discussion that I've had with a friend. We are disagreed on the matter. I don't see a problem, she thinks that's the sort of attire you might wear whilst lounging on the couch at home and not acceptable in the office setting I described.

OP posts:
MissTurnstiles · 17/04/2016 21:29

I agree with your friend.

Tunic dress over leggings would be better, or jumper with more substantial jeggings or other stretchy trousers.

janethegirl2 · 17/04/2016 21:29

No way where I work, and it's reasonably casual stuff most people wear.

Leggings are a complete no go where I work and it does not give a professional look in any walk of life.

MrsLettuce · 17/04/2016 21:31

It depends on the jumper, shoes and level of grooming TBH. It could be done but most mere mortals would possibly be best advised not to try.

JemimaMuddledUp · 17/04/2016 21:31

Not in my office, which fits that description.

MrsSteptoe · 17/04/2016 21:31

Not really, but it does depends on the jumper and the footwear. An expensive cashmere and great boots is quite different to an acrylic long jumper and Ugg boots. It also depends on your role. We have smart/casual on Fridays at the office where I work, but the bankers, even in smart/casual, dress better than quite differently to the graphics team I'm in.

Fevertree · 17/04/2016 21:32

Yes both me and my female colleague wear that sort of thing occasionally.

IrenetheQuaint · 17/04/2016 21:33

Maybe on Fridays if not meeting anyone senior/external. Otherwise, no.

Mitfordhons · 17/04/2016 21:33

No, there's no dress code where I work but nobody would turn up like this.

LuluJakey1 · 17/04/2016 21:34

It looks casual and usually awful. Leggings are never acceptable for professional dress in workplaces where business appearance matters.

KoalaDownUnder · 17/04/2016 21:36

No.

I've worked in some smart/casual places, and nowhere would this be acceptable.

Too sloppy/comfy/loungey.

Trills · 17/04/2016 21:36

Not a smart/casual office no.

I work in a casual/causal office - the majority are techy people in jeans and t-shirts.

Colleagues have been known to wear leggings and jumpers, and it doesn't seem out of place here.

Shirts and "smart trousers" are more out of place than leggings would be, and only worn by sales people who have to go and visit clients.

flightywoman · 17/04/2016 21:37

I work for a uniformed service, but as a non-uniformed employee. I wouldn't wear this - I don't think there'd be complaints but my uniformed boss might say someting I suppose. I do wear tunics and leggings and I wear stretchy/ponte trousers, but leggings and big jumper is too informal for me.

whirlygirly · 17/04/2016 21:38

Nope. You'd get sent home to change in my place.

SilverMachine · 17/04/2016 21:38

Leggings have been banned at my smart/casual office so I would say no.

I love the oversized jumper & leggings combo but wouldn't wear for work unless it was a dress down day.

Itinerary · 17/04/2016 21:40

Stretchy trousers yes, leggings no.

Long jumper yes, "oversized" no.

AyeAmarok · 17/04/2016 21:43

No, definitely not.

twirlypoo · 17/04/2016 21:45

Over sized jumper, tights and little boots maybe. Not leggings though!

chipsandpeas · 17/04/2016 21:47

it would be fine in my office

dynevoran · 17/04/2016 21:49

I do but im a consultant so no one cares and its a tiny office where we all know each other well. I mainly wear jeans or leggings with a long slouchy jumper and air Max. But for a client i wear a suit.

This is a tax consultancy firm.

BuggersMuddle · 17/04/2016 21:51

Absolutely not. I work in a business casual environment which is rapidly moving towards casual and I don't even wear leggings on dress down Friday. ( Decent skinny jeans yes, but not leggings).

I love my Lululemon yoga pants and they are totally decent (not see through, no saggy knees, well fitting etc.) but I still don't wear them on a Friday. DP works in a casual office and even he was 'hell no' to leggings.

I tend to think something needs to be smart, so I'd wear a crew neck sweater, but partner with a nice wool skirt; or wear a jersey dress, but with a short jacket. Wouldn't team casual with casual iyswim. (On that basis, you could maybe wear really nice leggings with a smartish shirt, but tbh I still wouldn't although some of the very young staff do on dress down day).

Herewegoagainfolks · 17/04/2016 21:52

For a "Smart/Casual" office definitely no. It's not smart enough.

TBH even on dress down Friday's (which is pretty casual in my office) no one wears leggings.

sooperdooper · 17/04/2016 21:55

It would be fine in my office, there's no dress code at all really, I've probably worn similar before but it totally depends on the workplace, other offices it wouldn't be suitable at all so it's impossible to say whether it's ok where you work

SellFridges · 17/04/2016 22:01

Our office seems to be getting more casual but I don't think this would be an outfit seen often unless the wearer was pregnant.

Coconutty · 17/04/2016 22:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Floisme · 17/04/2016 22:05

No-one would turn a hair where I work.