What do women wear at Westminster?

[mrsstephentoast]

I've got a mid level job offer, dealing with Ministers and Civil Servants, but mostly admin.

As I've been working from home until now, I need to build up a professional wardrobe. To complicate things, I'm an 18 so no Zara, Top Shop etc.

Do any of you work in this sort of area, and what do you wear, please?

Thank you

I spend a lot of time in government departments. I'd say dress code is smart casual most of the time, with a few smarter options for important meetings. So smartish trousers and top or blouse, jersey dresses, etc for every day, with a jacket you can throw on top when you need to up the ante a bit.

I used to be around there quite a lot! Agree with Florence: jersey or shift dresses with blazers, blouses and pencil skirts. Baukjen do a very flattering range of Jersey dresses: I own 6 which I wear basically in rotation, they wash beautifully and have lasted for years and years so far.

Whitehall is much more relaxed these days on dress and there is no formal dress code (except for men when in the House - jacket and tie!). Trousers with blouses, shirts or casual tops, dresses suits, all are acceptable so waer what is comfortable. I used to wear casual dresses a lot with opaques and ankle boots/ ballet flats/sandals in summer.

I agree with what previous posters have said - just make sure you have a decent jacket available for any meetings with Ministers. I wear jersey dresses most days, or will break out a smart dress/pencil skirt and jacket if I have a particularly important meeting.

I agree with previous posters, particularly about always having a jacket to hand.

Even if it's not strictly required for women, most men will be wearing one so it's useful to be able to "match" them IYSWIM when necessary

I agree with previous posters. If you are in the House, have meetings with ministers or attending events, such as conferences and speeches, then an LK Bennett / Hobbs shift dress and matching jacket would be a smart option, but otherwise more everyday dresses, trousers and blouses will do. It's not unusual to keep a few pairs of shoes in the office.

Yes agree with all the above having worked in Whitehall a long time. LKB, Hobbs type things for speeches etc. Also kept several pairs of LKB or R and B shoes in a drawer.

Agree with the jacket thing, but don't worry about fashion one-upmanship. I don't work in that type of role any more, but when I did I was constantly surprised by the frumpiness of ministers and colleagues.

What everyone else says .

Jersey dress or smart blouse /top with smart jacket /heels available in office and home so you can smarten up for meetings with Ministers etc . A variety of scarves in work to throw on as well .
I have black jackets and Lots of dresses that go with black #boring

There can be a lot of walking so smart but substantial flats ( not ballet pumps ) are a must for me

MOD and Home Office are the smartest government departments, with men in suits and women in dress/jacket combos. DCMS is all jeans and trainers, with some of the more senior people wearing suits for occasional high level meetings. DFID staff waft about in linen (despite gossip to the contrary, and their nickname, have not spotted any dungarees). DIT and BEIS are cheap suits for men and dress/cardie combo for women. Ditto DCLG and Health. Foreign Office staff are a right mess these days - men rarely in suits, but either jeans/chinos and open neck shirts and women in grubby dresses and cardies. Cabinet Office a cross between Foreign Office and DIT/BEIS, with the odd snappy dresser, and an air of self importance. Does that help?

MrsSchadenfreude We're not all that bad

Oh, and look for clothes with pockets: if you are in and out of the higher security departments or the Palace of Westminster estate a fair bit, it can be helpful not to have to take a bag that needs to go through the security scanners

@Mydressesareclean - no, there are little pockets of clean and tidiness, I agree! But equally, there are a lot of people who look like they have given up on life and pulled something gravy spattered from the floordrobe.

I'm loving the Westminster insights. I'm actually in Portcullis House reception, waiting to meet new boss. Scary times!

MrsSchadenfreude I can't disagree!

Hope it all goes well for you mrsstephentoast it's amazing how quickly it all becomes just another day at the office! Once you get a bit jaded, sign a friend in as a visitor and take them on a tour, so you get to experience it all through an outsider's eyes again.

DCLG

Charlieandlola: what are substantial flats? Loafers, maybe? I have 3 days to buy such a Unicorn!

Thank you

I guess you could wear loafers. Most people seem to wear shoes with a bit of a chunky heel (not high).

MrsSchadenfreude lovely descriptions, you made me laugh out loud.

Love the descriptions

Whatever feels smart ish and comfortable for you. I wear officey trousers (next) and smartish tops. Nice chunky necklace. Some people wear suits. Definitely not essential but you won't be laughed at either.

I'm a civil servant working with ministers in Westminster and I am a scruffbag but tbh the norm for that sort of job is smart dresses, flats or heels, and smart casual dresses on days when you're not in big meetings. Or smart trousers and blouses. Very rarely blazers. I tend to wear jeans or the flowery trousers that are more like pyjamas, and I'm not sure how I get away with it!

You're obviously so brilliant at your job purplemac that ministers are grateful whatever you wear! The rest of us just stick/ stuck to what you call the 'norm'.

Congratulations! Agree with everything that's been said here, especially about the comfy shoes. Oddly huge amounts of walking. I have a few pairs of nice Clarks brogues, one of which which complimented by a (male) Minister, which was surreal.

Olenna's point about the pockets is great.

MrsSchadenfreude surely Treasury is most well-dressed Department?! I'm not rising to the aspersions you've cast on my own...

poly that must be it