Smart Business Casual for Teenager

[imnottoofussed]

Can anyone point me to some clothes and shoes which might be suitable for teenage DD to wear for an employer taster day - they've said smart business casual. I'm worried about her ending up dressed like an old lady when she is only 17. (Maybe just because I can't imagine her looking smart in any way). I'm envisaging a struggle getting her to choose shoes since for school she only wore kickers boots.

I'd go for something quite plain, maybe a shirt dress or a smart t-shirt with a skirt or trousers? For shoes ankle boots or brogues would look good. I'd try ASOS.

she needs a shift dress if she will wear one. Put on a dress and you immedialty look smart and dressed but can dress it down a little .

Placemarking because I have the same problem with DD and shoes. Clothes are fine because we have a batch of my old work shift dresses from my early twenties which will do the job, but shoes are a problem. Boots not suitable for June, Doctor Martens or Vans not really appropriate, ballet flats uncomfortable and bad for her feet on a long-ish commute. Brogues and invisible trainer-liner socks do you think?

Some straight-legged (but not super skinny) black smart trousers with brogues or loafers, with a smart blouse (slightly loose floaty viscose or chiffon ones look less fogey than fitted ones) and a blazer-type black jacket (H&M is good)

My DS has this for something he went to. I took it to mean that they wanted dc to look smart, but didn’t expect them to go and buy a suit specifically, but didn’t want them to be casual (ie jeans ) either. He went in the chino/shirt/tie combo.

What does she wear for six form? Has she got any office-type clothes - skirt, blouse etc. Maybe pick up a cheap pair of shoes from primark. Or a smart pair of trousers and blouse.

Sainsbury has their 25% discount on at the moment.

Skirts

workwear

Alot of the youngsters (18-22 year olds) are wearing tasselled loafers.

shoe 1

shoe 2

Thanks all. I was thinking loafer/brogue type shoes so will get her to look at those. Trousers and blouse should be comfortable and easy to source. For sixth form she wears jeans, tshirts and vans

Smart casual I wouldn't wear a shift dress. Ankle skimmers from Gap, brogues from Clarks and a nice top of her choosing.

I wore a dress from new look - and so did a good friend of mine. I wore a grown up red dress and felt very out of place and wished I had played it down. However months later my friend gave me that dress and I have since worn it to work
To work as a teenage myself I wear a skirt from new look - it's a dark checkered
A black long sleeve bodysuit and a long cardigan.

DD’s work place is smarter than smart casual so shift dresses will be appropriate, but I agree that they wouldn’t be right for less formal environments.