New job, casual dress code, I really need your help!

[Freaking0ut]

I am starting a new job where the dress code is ‘casual, whatever you feel comfortable in’. Apparently most people wear jeans. My old job had a fairly smart dress code and I wore the same black trousers and blouse combo most days.

My style is... I don’t really have one. Jeans and whatever top I can pull out of my wardrobe mountain that is least creased/dirty. I’ve just tried to do some online shopping and realised I don’t even have a ‘go-to’ shop or brand. A lot of the clothes I have are cast offs from my mother who is significantly more stylish than me

I really need some help! I am tall (5’11”) and a size 14-16. I am quite self conscious of my figure (after two kids my tummy region isn’t great). I really need some help!!! I have a couple of hundred pounds to spend. Thank you!

Well if you're happy wearing jeans then is go for Sainsbury! I'm a similar size and find them a really good fit (the long length ones).
Maybe a casual shirt/blouse on top H&M have some nice ones.

My work “uniform” is black t shirt dress, with tights, Chelsea boots or trainers in winter and with supergas or sandals in summer, with an accessory - a chunky colourful necklace or a headband or a cardigan.

Congratulations!

I know what you mean about being somewhere very formal to office casual. You might want to transition slowly so you feel comfortable. How about a few items you can mix and match?

1. Dark denim jeans
2. Black, white and dark blue t-shirts
3. Couple of casual blazers - think lighter fabrics
4. Dark brown or black belt for the jeans
5. Ankle boots which sit under your jeans.

I would definitely suggest you work a week or two there before you buy a lot of new clothes. Think your black trousers / blouse combo will be fine for your first few days. I’ve worked in a couple of companies that have had a casual dress code but they’ve each been a bit different, if you know what I mean. I’ve recently changed department within the same organisation and gone from ‘anything goes’ in one division to more ‘smart casual’ where I am now and that’s within the same building! The overall company dress code is supposed to be casual though. Current style in my new division seems to be smart cropped trousers & a nice shirt / blouse, tucked in. (No jacket). Might just be worth checking it out first.

I really like the combo of smart blouses with jeans. Would that work for you, then you could still wear your existing clothes, just in a different way?