Going back to work - basic office wardrobe

[VWClare]

I need suggestions for appropriate work outfits.

Was previously in a v creative media job where ripped jeans were a-ok.

New job is large public sector organisation (non creative area..)

Have no clue about dress code, please suggest some (affordable) outfit ideas for my first few weeks until I get a feel for whether my jeans will cut the mustard.

I'm currently (as sahm) living in harem/ smart jogger trousers/ tip shop black skinny jeans / selection of white / black. Beige t shirts plus Birkenstock toe post sandals / flat beige ballet pumps.

I have bought a casual pair of lightweight summer black trousers as a start.......

No advice but following as I'm in a similar situation.

Congrats. There are loads of minimalist wardrobe ideas on pinterest. I suppose it would be business casual?

Probably not helpful but I live in some skinny trousers m&s did, ballet flats and layers

So a vest under a v neck top, the odd half button type shirt (I'm too busty for fully buttoned ones!), long cardigan, a blazer
I got the trousers in navy and black, most of my tops are grey, navy, bright blue or black
Blazers in black and bright blue
Mix and match type thing

In winter I wear v front ankle boots with a small heel with the trousers, summer I often wear palmairas not technically allowed

Tops I got from next, long tall sally, boohoo, Pearl and Earl, seasalt, matalan. Blazers from Evans and (how random?!) Morrisons
Ballet pumps are TK Maxx or Skechers and boots from m&s and jigsaw

I am currently wearing black or navy ankle grazers or black navy Benetton tube skirts with a variety of tops
I also find linen dresses work well when it’s hot - I have various ones from Asda M & S and Jaeger

Are plain t shirts such as these ok?

http://m2.hm.com/m/engb/productpage.0554598001.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6tjdyMOk3AIVypPtCh0t6waqEAQYByABEgJJzvDD_BwE&skwcid=AL!850!3!269343299007!!!g!367116990840!&eff_id=W00JNAAABdz56T33:20180716210804:s

All the advice online keeps going on about 'blouses'... I don't own a single blouse, hate buttons.

I just bought this from the Wish app, I normally am a bit about stuff from China but I kept seeing this dress advertised and it was about £7 delivered.
It is lovely, it fits really well and the fabric is lightweight not slightly silky and it is very flattering

I’m not skinny and it still looks nice

@BrieAndChilli what size did you get?

Blouses don't need to be grumpy. Have you seen Gillian Anderson in The Fall? T shirts are a no for me unless they are very high quality. Saw a lovely bee top in Oasis (I think) today. I'll see if I can find it. It was John Lewis so I may be wrong!

*frumpy not grumpy

Get some basics that you can build up into a variety of different outfits by accessorising.

If it's public sector I wouldn't expect it to be too smart (i.e. I doubt you will be expected to wear a suit or anything like that).

Thinking about my work wardrobe and what I actually wear the most often, I would say look for these basics:

• a plain black skirt at the most flattering length for you
• plain black trousers in whatever is the most flattering cut for you
• a plain white shirt with long sleeves
• lightweight sleeveless tops in a variety of colours and patterns
• a couple of plain dresses in colours you like
• a couple of cardigans in neutral colours for layering

My most frequently worn items are a navy blue pencil skirt from Hobbs, a pale grey cardigan (goes over almost everything), and a lightweight top from M&S which is the same shape as this one, but white with black polka dots.

www.marksandspencer.com/brush-print-round-neck-vest-top/p/p22507192?image=SD_01_T43_5885_E4_X_EC_90&color=BLUEMIX&prevPage=plp

I have a couple of shift dresses in plain colours like black, navy and grey which I team with brightly coloured accessories.

I really like brightly coloured blazers and have an orange one which I always get complimented on. I usually wear it either with a plain black dress or black skirt/trousers and a white shirt. Hobbs do really nice ones and the bright colours often end up heavily reduced in the clearance section of their website.

I’m a lecturer (in a creative subject, so possibly this isn’t useful) and my work “uniform” at this time of year is:

Cropped wide trousers/ tucked in Breton tops or striped t-shirts (Warehouse does a cut called “smart fit” which is good)
Midi dresses
Midi skirt/tucked in top

In autumn/winter:

Cropped wide trousers with slightly cropped fitted jumper (sits on waistband, not flashing stomach)
A-line short-ish skirt with jumper as above, or skinny polo-neck
Black skinny jeans and blouse, sometimes with a crew-neck jumper over if cold

Footwear is brogues, black Stan Smiths, black Chelsea or biker boots

I tend to buy things for not-work, then wear them to work eventually when I get fed up of them - once they become workwear they don’t go back.

My go-to shops are Whistles, Topshop, and Warehouse, and I also like Other Stories, and Zara.

(Currently on holiday, mainly wearing pyjamas.)

(Oh, obviously tights in autumn/winter - no short skirts and bare legs. And I wear fishnets under trousers to prevent chilly ankles.)

Not read the full thread, but you will need a smart coat as you'll be entering the office in it all autumn, winter, and early spring. If you don't have a suitable one already, look for one as soon as the coats start appearing in the shops and that way you'll have the full choice of styles and colours (black or dark grey can't really go wrong).

Also bear in mind you'll need to keep on top of ironing, shoe polishing and dry-cleaning as well as less frequent things like replacing buttons and repairing shoe heels.

Op sorry to derail slightly but how long have you been a sahm, how did you find it and how easy did you find a job once you decided to go back to work? I'm potentially going to give up my public sector job to look after the kids.. (my work wear wasn't super smart, could get away with black jeans as long as they weren't too jeansy)

Meh, I don't iron anything.

Those tops from M&S are great as they wash beautifully, dry quickly on a hanger and don't need ironing.

I've just started work after two years of SAHM. I second M and S. I have some of their basic black and navy trousers. They wash very well and wear well. I work in NHS and need to look smart-ish. Also bought some plain shirt/blouses from m and s and next. Some plain monochrome MIDI dresses from the same, warehouse sales. Mango has some affordable nice work tops as well.

A lot of the civil service has a very relaxed dress code these days. Perhaps not ripped jeans relaxed, but I used to wear jeans and trainers to work everyday. Isn't there any way of finding out the dress code before you start?

I wouldn't go mad until you start the job and see what the vibe is. I work in the public sector and there is a huge variation in what people wear. Only senior management wear suits. I only wear 'smart' dresses when I'm delivering training or a presentation. Otherwise, I wear more casual dresses (I'm not into trousers).

I work in the creative sector, but when I started, I wasn't entirely sure if I should go straight into the ripped jeans and trainers look (plus I'd come from a professional role, so still had a slightly more traditional work wardrobe).

I'd suggest things that can be dressed up or down. So slim fit ankle length trousers are good (can be worn with smart shoes or trainers), dresses are a good shout, they rarely look dressed down, and are perfect in this weather (but obvs not off the shoulder, or thigh length!). I like Cos for crossover clothes (ie can be worn for work and at home), it's very popular in my office at senior level.

I work for a charity and invariably wear dresses with a cardigan or jersey jacket over the top if needed. My dresses come from Toast, Jigsaw, Brora, Seasalt, Sainsburys, Fatface. I buy some new, some in the sales and some are ebay bargains. They must be washable and I don't do much ironing. I think most people manage to get together a wardrobe that is easy for them and right for the job over time.

Watching with interest. I'm going back full time in an office job soon.

Having previously worked in public sector office, I'd say something along the lines of a few pairs of smart black/grey/navy trousers or skirts and some blouses would see you through.

Good advice on here. I'd suggest not spending too much to start, maybe get stuff in sale or supermarkets/ tk Maxx to start with. Black or navy trousers or skirt and a variety of tops/ shirts, t shirts ( but at smarter end), cardigan or jacket. Get stuff that mixes and matches with everything. Once you've been there a while you will see what people wear. Health service offices tend to be suits, local government tend not to be in my experience. Some places may have dress down Friday too. I lived in trousers but added dresses when it was hot enough and always got those from Hobbs, ( in the sale) . Shoes: comfy but smart I would say Clark's are okay unless you have a bigger budget

I Grew with the slim fit ankle length trousers. One in navy and one on black. So versatile, can be smartened up with heels or a bit more casual with flats.

A bit stalkery but can you go and wait outside to see how everyone else is dressed before you start. Might give you a better idea