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.......

Some good ideas, thanks. Particularly useful hearing what others' work wardrobes are.

I used to be able to wear converse & (ripped) jeans & loved it. I'm so much not a smart person. Hopefully smarter jeans and trousers will be ok with the odd jacket. Shoes will be a nightmare. I have one pair of flats and one pair of heels- all my other footwear are plimsolls & birkenstocks.

I work in the pubic sector in a quite senior role and there is a big variation in what people wear in my office, although we're not really a jeans office as we are public facing/ quite official. Still in my role it would have been unthinkable to not wear a suit or dress and jacket a few years ago (and not long before that pretty unusual to be a woman!). I tend to go for jersey dresses which can be worn with a jacket or cardigan as necessary, skirts and trousers in navy or black with a selection of tops. I live in the m&s 7/8 length slim trousers this time of year. Would recommend Sainsburys as a good place for reasonably priced work wear if you don't want to go too mad.

Could you stalk the building for a few days and see how people dress as they arrive? I work for a housing association and our dress code is very relaxed. I usually wear turned up relaxed skinnies, a tshirt/plain blouse and flat slip on shoes.

The only thing that wouldn’t pass muster in my office is trainers and spaghetti straps (although some people still wear those!)

We have a dress down day on a Friday but most people seem to look smarter than they do normally!

The M&S swing dresses look like nothing in the pictures, but are really nice and cost pennies too.

Thanks to all those who suggested 'stalking' but due to the nature of the work I would look very suspicious hanging around outside the building and the public part of the car park wouldn't afford a very good view anyway... good thought though ;)

No need to spend a fortune. Dressing for work can be very cheap.

Lots of school uniform in the supermarkets at the moment and is massively oversized and cheap. They last forever and dry on the hanger in no time. Black, grey and navy trousers sorted.

Primark longline long sleeved tshirts are £3.50 and their vest tops are a couple of quid. Get a variety of colours/stripes/patterns and alternate.

Charity shops always have loads of lightweight cardigans (for some reason). Get some to match the tops.

Mix and match to save yourself getting bored.

Remuslupin - I love those dresses, thanks. Incredible price too!

My work wardrobe mainly consists of shirt dresses and shift dresses.

They are so versatile - if I need to look smart I add tights, heels and a silk scarf, if I want to dress down I add a denim jacket and trainers.
In summer, I wear them with bare legs and sandals, in winter I add a polo (turtle) neck, opaque tights and boots...

I change up the look by wearing them with cropped trousers or leggings, or a peter pan collared blouse underneath. Belts, scarves, jackets, cardigans can all make for very different outfits with the same dress.

Buying a few dresses would allow you to scope out the dressiness level on your first few days and adapt accordingly. And it's so quick and easy to get dressed in the morning

I've ordered one of the black M&S dresses remuslupin linked to. Will report back tomorrow after I've picked it up.

Work public sector winter months I live and die in jeans and a roll neck jumper/round neck wool jumpers. This weather I’m in dark coloured dresses. Varying from just above knee to a 3 inches below the knee and no cleavage on show. Sometimes heels but more often flip flops or trainers.

Some great style advice so far.. now for the 'beauty'.

While not working I've worn no- v minimal makeup and have been quite relaxed about things like waxing legs etc. It's been a revelation and quite liberating; no one has run away from me in horror.

What are people's thoughts about make up & waxing etc... I mean should I do it for the sake of my colleagues / our if courtesy? My leg hairs are fine and fair so not v noticeable.

Make-up for work? Absolutely not. Time/money/smell/hassle.

Hairy legs/pits? It’s a personal choice and is about your comfort not anyone else’s. I assume you are not referring to Hollywood waxing for work? 😂

When you look at other people at work, what do you notice? Usually face and hair. I think some make up looks professional. Hairy legs? Depends who is looking?! If you are wearing a knee length dress or skirt and legs are on show with no tights then yes to leg wax. I think looking groomed will make you feel in Work mode, not home mode!

There are quite a few lowish heeled pumps around at the moment so I would go with that and ankle boots for winter.

If you don't usually wear makeup then don't wear makeup. Especially in the public sector - it'll probably be pretty relaxed.

The essential is to be clean - hair, hands, teeth, fingernails; tidy - again hair, fingernails, clothes and shoes in good condition and ironed, polished or repaired where necessary; and fresh smelling (body, clothes, hair).

I would only say remove body hair if that body part is going to be on show, but even then it's certainly not obligatory.

I've been retired nearly ten years now, but when I worked in (a fairly senior position ) in the public service area, I bought most of my clothes on ebay. I knew which clothes fit me (M&S no, Next, yes etc). I really objected to spending money on my "uniform". I mainly worked in suites, trouser and skirt , in shades of black, grey and blue. I had an array o f colourful tops (most colours go with black and grey).
Congratulations on your new job (ohh, auto correct said "new knob" hope I'm not putting a jinx on it)

I just returned to work after a long break, public sector job and found: about 50% of women wear little or no makeup (I wear mascara and lipstick and that’s all); the majority seem to wear flats of some kind - especially as we have 3 parking spaces for a team of 75 (I generally wear brogues or smart loafers); no one wears a jacket unless giving a presentation or being interviewed; everyone looks clean and presentable. Jeans only on Fridays - if the team does that (different offices behave differently). But many women wear trousers most days. I wear lots from Cos and Jigsaw

I wear makeup but not loads, some colleagues wear more and some wear less. Totally what you feel comfortable with!

I went through this recently.

After years of clothing angst I started doing the 333 project and haven’t look back. 33 items of clothing for the next 3 months. Don’t even think about the next season - you’re not there yet.

I wear only white, black and navy blue. I have a gorgeous navy blue Kate Spade bag and wear a small diamond pendant necklace every day. I shop at uniqlo, cos and gap. Mainly cigarette trousers and drapey T shirts with a fitted navy jacket. Shoes are a strappy pair of black cos sandals with a 2 inch heel and black ballet pumps from Hobbs and white Adidas trainers. I have one navy pleated midi skirt.

I adore my wardrobe, the simplicity of it,
The ease of choosing what I’ll wear every day and the fact that everything goes with everything.