Questions about 'smart business attire' for work

[MeadowHay]

Some people may remember my last thread about clothing dilemmas at work! I've now got a job job in a law firm. The dress code says 'smart business attire'. I see a few people who stick out for clearly not sticking to that rule, I don't think they're very strict about it, but I don't want to be remembered for the wrong reasons. Smart business attire is pretty straightforward (unlike the horror of 'smart casual' in my old job - I'm autistic and like clear-cut rules).

But I've got two quick questions:
Are coloured tights ok with a dark dress/dark suit? E.g. red tights? Or is that too much? I've seen a few people in red skirts/suits/dresses before.
I have a bright blue suit - is that ok or needs to be darker?

Also when the weather gets bad in winter, because I walk to work, is it ok to walk into work in boots/wellies and change into my work shoes at my desk?

I don't know about the first two but I know that most women I see on the Tube in "smart" outfits are wearing trainers and either carrying shoes in a large bag or keeping shoes under their desks.

I probably wouldn't wear coloured tights for a law firm job. I work in court and the lawyers tend to go for black or nude, although sometimes they wear patterned black tights.

Yes to boots and change in bad weather. Or just get nice, smart knee boots.

If you want to be truly safe, no, coloured tights are not okay. Nude or black are the best options.

I'd also avoid coloured suits. I only wear black, navy or grey to work. Boring, but I wear only bright or deep colours on the weekend and it makes all the difference :)

Oh agree with with changing your shoes for the commute. Wellies are a bit hardcore for the city (plus where would they fit at work?) but trainers or boots fine.

Smart business attire is suits or dresses in muted colours. So navy, black, deep burgundy, grey. No coloured tights but nude or nearly black/charcoal are fine. White shirts or pale colours. Pinstripe usually ok too. If they are a bit more relaxed, black trousers and a contrasting tweed jacket is good. Start off conservative and you won't go wrong.

Court dress for barristers is black suit and white shirt. Office wear is usually a bit more relaxed.

Wear whatever shoes/boots you want for the journey but smart shoes are expected in the office. Not necessarily heels but not casual. Keep them in the office or bring them in a bag everyday.

Hey meadow I'd say wear the bright blue suit. Can you wear it as separates - blue skirt (assuming it's a skirt suit) black tights with black shoes and a white blouse? Blue jacket black dress? Three outfits for one..?!

I'm never sure re coloured tights I like them but am sometimes too afraid to wear them.

When I'm at work in winter time (and not pregnant) I favour pencil skirts floaty blouses (tucked in) black tights and black shoes (either ankle boots or courts).

If I walk in I wear my winter boots (brown knee high boots I also wear riding) then keep them either under my desk or in the cloakroom and keep shoes in my drawer/cupboard.

Thanks everyone.

Tbh my firm isn't super conservative in dress, but I'm not a lawyer and I don't work closely with any practising lawyers either. I imagine the lawyers dress more conservatively especially if meeting clients. We have dress down day once a week :') also my job is not client facing I should add. I know court wear is very conservative - have done a few mini-pupillages before and deffo wouldn't dare wear a blue suit in those situations, but the atmosphere seems more relaxed here at the firm I work for. For example I specifically asked my supervisor if I have to always wear tights and she said no as long as the skirt/dress is not too short so I wore a midi dress the other day without any tights. I certainly would never do that in court.

Em Yep I can wear my blue suit as separates, it is a skirt suit. As I say I have I see people wearing bright red dresses/bright red skirts before so that should be fine I guess.

Agree though that more conservative is safer. I wore a suit on my first day and was probably one of only two women in my main work area to do so (the other being my supervisor). But I'd rather be remembered for always dressing very smart than for flouting the rules/looking unprofessional.

Moose I've just bought myself some lovely wellies and I'm dying to wear them you see . There is tons of space underneath my desk so space isn't an issue. We are only three to a long desk thing when you could fit four in but they have us in threes instead which means we all have lots of space which is good.