If you work on building sites what do you wear?

[BarbaraOcumbungles]

I have a new job that is partly office based and partly site based. It's dealing with housing renovations so I have to wear PPE - steel toe caps and high viz etc. I'm not sure what to wear day to day - my old wardrobe is office wear and doesn't feel suitable and isn't really comfortable for driving around all over the place.

I'm 5ft 4 size 16 with massive tits.

Leggings with frocks or jeans & shirt or t-shirt - depends on where else I have to be that day. So I look slightly out of place casual in HO or positively dressed up compared with working at home.

I've spent years working on landfill/waste sites, which are very similar - am often in rigger boots, hiviz and a hard hat. For me, I've got a stable of plain black basic trousers from Marks and Spencer, and depending on time of year a variety of tops. Often a blouse/shirt, with a jumper/cardi layered over, and then hi viz over that. I often get the Lands End Pima cotton twin sets as they are in lovely colours, very washable, don't need ironing and ensure your top is not showing any cleavage when you are bending over machinery/filling in a form/chart. If necessary, I can then keep a smarter black jacket in the office, which could be layered over the blouse/shirt or bottom layer of twin set if I need to go to meeting in smarter offices. Whatever you wear HAS to be easily washable (especially in the winter) and I'd also add that having a haircut that can withstand wearing a hard hat regularly is also very important. I keep a bag of stuff in my desk drawer - this includes hair brush, hair spray, wipes, anti perspirant, fragrance, hand cream, nail file etc, plus a small quantity of make up (mascara, versatile lipstick, powder and blusher) so if I get soaked or dusty I can do repairs and look presentable later. Make up tends to be minimal - I go for a tinted moisturiser or BB cream, light cream blusher, waterproof mascara and an understated lip/nail (I like Clinique Chubby Sticks as they are moisturising and I can top up out on site when it's windy or dusty just by giving a quick swipe).

That's incredibly useful Pivot thank you!

I wear combat black cotton workwear trousers and smart tops (H&S Inspector). My boots are Dr Marten Industrials. Refuse pink hats and high visibility, please!!

Pink hard hat. Dear God no.

My normal winter work attire is tunic dresses and opaque tights with long boots which will work with the long dm's so I'll have a look at them
Too - good call. I've been issues with some work Chelsea boots that are surprisingly nice!

Happy I missed your post. I don't think I'd get away with jeans on site or in the office unfortunately :(

I actually think these are bloody lovely

If I'm on site all day, with no meetings, usually work is due cargo pants, polo shirt and fleece under appropriate PPE.

If I am going on to a meeting and need to look smarter, then I have s collection of black stretch twill trousers, black jeans etc that I have built up over the years, which I tend to wear with a plain shirt and v neck jumper.

Lands End are great for smart casual machine washable basics like this.

I'd absolutely agree that Lands End are excellent for this type of workwear - I've had several of their linen shirts for wearing in the summer for example as well as the twin sets nd other knitwear mentioned previously. Their stuff is good quality, washes and lasts well but doesn't scream high fashion. For this type of role, it's perfect.

Gap do some good trousers - I like the moleskin feel of their Baby Boot trousers for instance, but they can be tucked into a pair of riggers when out on site or worn with a comfy pair of ankle boots when not. Don't underestimate the importance of really good socks, especially with riggers or other safety footwear. They can make the difference between blissful comfort and misery.