Style advice needed starting a new job

[ilovebrie8]

I'm about to start a new job and desperately need some help in what to wear it's an office job....suits are too formal and I am really struggling with what to wear....please help. 😊

Maybe accessorise a slightly more casual dress with a blazer? A blazer smartens an outfit without being too formal.

Are you male or female OP? Have you been to the office before and seen what people were wearing, or did someone from the company interview you so you could get an idea?

I usually do a smart-ish dress with a cardigan or blazer depending on whether or not I have meetings.

Also try Pinterest for inspiration - type in something like ‘smart casual work outfit’ and you’ll get loads of good combinations!

I would have some smart trousers and skirts, and then mix and match with tops like plain coloured T-shirt’s, blouses, jumpers etc.

Also I think colourful accessories (chunky necklaces, scarves, colourful bracelets) can help to make outfits look a bit more informal.

What's the dress code? Do they havea dress down Friday (and how dress down is it)?

Don't buy too much before you start work. Do you have a couple of pairs of trousers plus some nice tops and flats? That might be sufficient for the first week.

I do plain pencil skirts with naice dressy blouses, but not too colourful....

Depends on your body shape and style, and also your workplace dress code.

I usually wear slim-cut black trousers and then a loose-fitting button-down shirt. I have lots of shirts in different styles and materials (e.g. cotton/chiffon/satin).

Depending on the day (i.e. if it's a client-facing day or not) I'll opt for more casual or more-dressed up options.

On a client-facing day I just wear a normal button-down white fitted shirt plain shirt

On smart casual days I wear a plain shirt either in white or just one colour. smart casual day example

For more casual days my tops have prints on them (e.g. small fruit/animal repeated designs). casual example

Trousers, again depending on smart or casual, will usually be black. But sometimes I wear dark green or red with a very plain white top. plain black trousers

coloured trousers

I usually wear black pumps or ankle boots to work.

Gosh it's a difficult time of year to start a job.

Just thinking about footwear is bringing on my wrinkly face. A thin blazer in a linen mix or thin jersey a must. But what underneath - a linen dress perhaps. But to tight or not to tight? Can you even tight in a linen dress. Much better to start a new job in November.

Tbh, I'd go and park up discreetly at knocking off time to see what's being worn.

I'm female...it's a minefield what to wear...I won't be client facing myself.....footwear is my biggest issue! I was thing a nice dress any ideas of shops for mid range smartish dresses....I've got a nice linen jacket I could wear over ....😊
Thanks for the help so far am in a pickle !

Could you wear smart sandals with a small heel? I like sandals with a big heel myself, but that’s not for everybody. Varnished toenails.

I prefer summer for work clothes. I work in one of the professions, but everybody is more casual at work than we were 10 or 15 years ago. Nobody wears suits any more, for example.

Get some slim ankle grazer or cropped trousers in black, navy and grey (M&S and Gap are good for those). Then find some plain or subtly patterned tops. I wear sleeveless stuff because my arms are good, but you can find smart, fitted t shirts and shirts. If you stick to neutrals with the odd bit of colour, e.g. a red top, it is easier to look polished.

For over the top, if you need it, I rate Uniqlo merino cardigans or a lightweight blazer.

Good work dresses are a rare find. I’d look at darker colours, a high-ish neck and a small sleeve. Boden do some ok things. I prefer a skirt and tailored top: easier to flatter your body shape.

My feet are the ugliest ever I can’t expose them 😳...thanks for the good tips I think I’ll look for some ankle grazer trousers and tops tomorrow. If I go for a dress then I need tights and that’s tricky! My footwear is my biggest dilemma , I need a confidence boost so at least want to look presentable and not like a dinosaur ...thanks all 👍

I can’t believe your feet are that bad, however if you wish to avoid the dinosaur thing I recommend neat black suede courts. Do not buy nude shiny ones, you will look like a Kate Middleton wannabe from 2012.

I’d avoid tights unless you really have to wear them (varicose veins etc). Stick a bit of fake tan or Sally Hansen on. Much more modern. You can wear those shoe liners if you are worried about your feet sweating in shoes. Pringle (TK Maxx) are the best but get the type designed for shoes, not trainers.

If heels are not your thing, go for a decent pair of ballet pumps.

If your arms are ok, Per Una (!!!) had a great sleeveless navy microfibre (but looks and feels like silk) top. Goes with loads and is long enough to cover a bit of tum.

Think capsule.

Navy trousers
White shirt
Brogues in a different colour
Jewellery to accessorise

I thought these looked quite smart?

They aren’t terrible. Uniqlo are advertising ankle grazer trousers today BTW.

Oh yes Uniqlo 😊 I'm going to go there....ankle grazer trousers and some nice tops I think is the way to go....I've got a drapey t shirt from Uniqlo which is quite smart so might pick up a few more. Thanks for the help...

Sounds like you have your starter work wardrobe sorted!

On footwear, I wear all sorts of lovely shoes to work - it’s an easy way to add a bit of interest to an outfit. Many are high-ish heels (about 3.5 inches) but my feet are starting to protest at that so I’m probably going to stop wearing those quite so often. I also wear mid heel such as Clark’s heeled brogues, or Timberland heeled Chelsea boots, plus standard brogues (again from clarks), flats from Kurt Geiger, trainers for Fridays. Let’s see, what else, M&S actually do pretty good shoes at a reasonable price point, and they’re generally very comfortable. I have several pairs of courts from there, and my daughter got some lovely chunky brogues from there for her very professional job. I wear heeled ankle boots in A/W but you could wear flat boots if you prefer.

It depends on your specific dress code, of course, but I wear plain or patterned leggings to work, with a longline shirt that comes to around mid-thigh. Heels to smarten up the look and that has worked fine for my office which has a business casual dress code. I also wear jersey dresses with opaque or nude tights in winter, bare legs in summer. Dresses are great because they’re so easy - no need to plan a coordinating outfit. Pencil skirts and ribbed jumper or blouse. Jumper and jeggings (in black or coloured fabrics such as burgundy, blue looks like denim which would not be allowed). Jeans on Fridays, with a tee or sweatshirt.

Picked up a pair of ankle grazer trousers in Uniqlo very pleased with them...

Excellent start!

I wear lots of ankle grazer/slim fit trousers with shirts, blouses, fine knit jumpers. A nice belt or scarf.

Also am loving my high waist wide leg trousers at the moment, I think many places adopt a much more casual approach than when I worked in the city and it was suits all the way.

Thanks for all the tips & help...still got to find shoes this weekend...looked in M&S but nothing struck me. Changed my mind about the Next ones 😬

I had a job interview the other day and was intrigued what office people were wearing (after years of working from home.) The women all wore on the knee dresses in monochrome patterns or smoky greys. They wore sandals or smart trainers (eg Vans) with them. They looked great. I really coveted the monochrome dress but couldn't exactly ask the interviewer where she got it from.

Office have some great mid heeled courts in the sale, just saying...

Ooh I’ll have a look thanks