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Original poster

Business casual for a 16 year old

27 replies

Inniu · 21/05/2019 17:30

DD needs business causal clothes for a summer programme in the US.

It will be hot outside and air conditioned cold inside.
The guidelines are smart trousers with dress shirts/ polo shirts/ knits. Or knee length dress/ skirt. Nothing sleeveless, no visible back.

DD is a curvy 8.

Any suggestions?
Everything I have come up with is to old.

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 21/05/2019 17:42

I'd go with a very basic 'uniform' - a couple of pairs of black trousers, a few Primark shirts/tops, and a couple of cardigans to layer over inside. If she's being asked to wear business casual, then I'm afraid it will look a bit old, and ime US workwear (unless in a artistic/creative capacity) isn't as casual as UK.

Dollywilde · 21/05/2019 17:49

Agree with pp - I’d go with a 4 pairs of black skirts or trousers, 2 weeks of shirts (so 10) - lots of them to be white - and then 5 non neon but coloured jumpers and cardigans which look good with a shirt under. She’ll need the knitwear for air conditioned offices but they can be removed.

Add to that: nude tights, a sensible pair of shoes (may be able to use school ones but not if they’re ‘chunky’) and a bag that goes with all the above. Also make sure that she has a few bras that don't show through the shirts - an error I made a few times when I went up to sixth form (we had a dark school shirt and I’d not had to think about it before!)

Limit the jewellery imo unless she has a few really refined bits (I certainly didn’t at 16!) and then just a question of making sure she has hair slides etc.

Original poster
Inniu · 21/05/2019 18:24

I should have clarified. She can be in normalish clothes a lot of the time but not her usual her leggings and crop tops. She needs 2 or 3 business causal outfits for functions.

I think you are right though US business wear is more conservative than Ireland or the UK.

It is really suggestions as to wear and what to buy. She tried on lots in H&M and Zara but it all looked cheap and badly made.

I got her to try on some shirt dresses in Mango but she reckons they are more suited to my age.

OP posts:
dingit · 21/05/2019 18:30

Watching with interest. My dd (20) needs officewear for an American company in the U.K.
So far she has two blouses, two skirts and a dress. Need trousers, but she is petite, which narrows her choices a bit.

Original poster
Inniu · 21/05/2019 18:40

Dingit where did she shop?

OP posts:
BlessYourCottonSocks · 21/05/2019 18:47

www.dorothyperkins.com/en/dpuk/product/clothing-203535/trousers-leggings-203565/mint-split-hem-ankle-grazer-trousers-8773157
These are gorgeous, smart and come in lots of different colours. How about a mint green/pale blue pair and a couple of smart blouses?

GemmeFatale · 21/05/2019 18:55

Which part of the US and what industry?

Law in the south will consider business casual very differently to tech on the west coast.

Would she do culottes and a blouse? That’s modern but likely acceptable in all but the most formal industries/areas.

Or cigarette trousers and blouse?

Have you asked what she would wear to an office?

dingit · 21/05/2019 18:58

Primark and new look. Dress Miss selfridge which surprised me, as I didn't expect conservative from them Grin

Thinkle · 21/05/2019 19:05

I would look at uniqlo for their (amazing) trousers and simple tips

Original poster
Inniu · 21/05/2019 19:39

Politics in DC

OP posts:
XingMing · 21/05/2019 19:58

If politics in DC, it needs to be quite safe and uncontroversial. A very plain jersey jacket in a neutral colour, that can be washed at the weekend, and worn again on Monday is what she needs. If I have read this correctly, she will mainly be seen from the waist up. (Sitting down meetings, taking notes role?) Go plain, simple, unvarnished. I bought a couple of zip up terry jackets in white (about £20 each IIRC) from Petit Bateau, which are Chanel shape, pocketless, and very versatile style-wise. Good with jeans, but smarten up a business look. Another layer in ac frigidity, but also good on the beach on a cool evening.

Original poster
Inniu · 21/05/2019 23:11

She is 16 so I strongly suspect she will be standing around looking gormless rather than note taking.
But thank you for the suggestions. She definitely needs a decent smart jacket.

OP posts:
RomaineCalm · 21/05/2019 23:18

I would be tempted to go with navy, white, cream, camel basics. Add some pink or pale blue if those colours suit her. A couple of pairs of ankle-grazer trousers, 5 blouses that can be tucked in and a blazer/jacket along with a good pair of navy leather pumps. DD could take some smart-ish t-shirts in case it's more casual - maybe a navy/white stripe that would also work with colour scheme.

M&S might be ok for trousers, Wallis often have short jackets no blazers that could work. Do think about underwear as well.

My experience of US colleagues is that people tend to be quite well groomed so get her to think about her nails and hair. She doesn't need full manicure and blow dry but neat and tidy is essential.

stupidboyman · 22/05/2019 10:55

Karen Millen trouser suits are good - you might be able to get one on sale. Dresses with jackets are easiest as can slip jacket off when outside. Air con can be very cold by the way, I often have to wear a cardigan too. I would have a look in oasis and warehouse too. M&S very affordable for this sort of stuff but not the most cutting edge for fashion.

Outlet mall when she gets to US will be very affordable.

stupidboyman · 22/05/2019 10:57

Out of interest that sounds like a really interesting program. How did she get on it?

justilou1 · 22/05/2019 11:04

Definitely smarter dressed than UK. They need to be tidy and conservative. No low-cut tops, etc. (Have relatives who have worked in politics in a Washington DC.) Think pants suit, closed court shoes, etc...

palahvah · 22/05/2019 11:16

I would go for navy rather than black.
7/8 trousers/cigarette pants, then no need to worry about tights.
Zara etc will do these and prob have jackets in matching fabric if she does want to have the option to be a bit smarter, or get a contrasting blazer.
Fine knit merino wool jumper or cardigan
Plain t-shirt or vests.
Ballet pumps, loafers, brogues or low heels.
Are there any pics online of previous years' programmes so she can see what others have worn?

justilou1 · 23/05/2019 08:59

Or grey...

Original poster
Inniu · 23/05/2019 09:04

We have had a look at Instagram from last year so think you for that suggestion. It is mostly very conservative and the few that are non compliant really stick out and not in a good way.

So we are going shopping this morning armed with a few very conservative ideas. For a teen who lives in crop tops, joggers and trainers it will be culture shock.

OP posts:
stucknoue · 23/05/2019 09:17

It's the same code dd has in the military. She wears knee length skirts and collared blouses (short sleeve are ok but must have sleeves), trousers (not jeans) and blouses or occasionally polo shirts. Asda have black trousers suitable for £6 as everyone is wearing them they don't feel odd

stucknoue · 23/05/2019 09:20

They are old and conservative styles but it's the dress code. She does sometimes wear a blouse under a sleeveless knee length dress. Brogues for shoes in our case

Shadycorner · 23/05/2019 10:03

Congratulations to your DD op, it sounds like a great opportunity!

Our soon to be 16 yr old will be helping out in our office (profession) this summer so I need to supplement her wardrobe in the same way as your DD.

She and a friend have already worked there for a couple of week's work experience though when they both wore: plain black skater skirts (admittedly slightly shorter than knee length), formal white simple tops (in the style of a t-shirt but in a more formal fabric with a better finish than stretch cotton) black tights (could go for fine nude if hot weather) , a plain classic round necked wool light cardigan(Uniqlo do good ones!) black flat ballet pumps, discreet jewellery and only a touch of make up, neat nails (clear varnish only) hair in pony tail. They basically tuned up every day wearing pretty much the same basics with a slightly different white top. All items properly fitting, not too tight which came from Next, Crew, Esprit, H&M (many in the sale - size 8 are often left over). Everyone thought they looked very appropriately dressed for their age, but I don't know if that is too formal for what you are after? Tbh, I would have thought your dd could get away with just above the knee skirts/ dresses being so young. Knee length seems very fusty for young interns nowadays.
Alternatively, there are lots of shirt dresses in the shops this season,maybe a couple of plain ones would be appropriate?

Shadycorner · 23/05/2019 10:06

Oh sorry xpost just seen Palahvah has suggested pretty much the same thing! Smile

Kaz2200 · 23/05/2019 10:14

Bare with me on this one, but bought by daughter some black school trousers from matalan which are really nice fitting and the ladies 3/4 sleeve black shorts which looked good on her, she is a size 6 though. I'll try find the links.

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