"No dress code" in corporate office

[ohgawdno]

I work in a traditional corporate environment that is trying to be down with the cool kids and now it's decided we no longer have a dress code (unless we are client facing). The only rules are to dress without offending people.

This sounds great in theory, but to be honest I have a good quality work wardrobe that I've built up over fifteen years. Someone stopped me in the street yesterday to compliment a dress I was wearing, which was one I bought for my first ever office job and it's still going strong. I don't consider myself a fashionista at all but I've learnt to buy clothes that fit within my specific guidelines for work - it must be just above knee length, short sleeved but not sleeveless (caters for layering in all seasons), black or navy only, and must be structured but not tight, and made with decent weight material. I also preferred dresses because it's one thing to wash rather than two, and only machine washable!

Now I'm faced with this dilemma that all my non-work clothes are too casual (in my opinion) for the office, and my work wardrobe is now too formal.

Has anyone any ideas of where to start looking to buy clothes suitable for this predicament? And what sort of clothes to wear in the first place? I'm guessing chinos will be popular (I don't own any) and maybe good quality tops.

We have a dress down day every Friday but I hate wearing jeans and being sat all day. So I just wear my normal trousers and sometimes a more casual top but sometimes not. But then I wear trainers every day for work and that is fine too.

My office moved to no dress code. I struggled for a bit then just went back to my original office uniform of dresses. Others wear jeans or even workout gear. Nobody bats an eyelid at any of it.

It’s quite handy if I want to wear jeans if going out after work, but for the most part I just dress exactly as I did before.

I know people will take the piss out of me wearing formal attire now.

^

Tell them to get to fuck if they do this? How dare they!

Our office is casual and most of us wear trainers, jeans, jumpers, midi skirts etc. Casual but put together. I'm changing jobs to a corporate so have to get a whole new wardrobe! No trainers for me

You have decent quality work clothes. Some of which you have worn for a while. Why should you not carry on wearing them.? If they still give you pleasure.? I suppose you could add some fun tops - but really people may have already seen you as the lady who wears nice stuff, don't shock them by turning up in ripped jeans. At least if there is an emergency meeting you are prepared.

Then at least on days off/weekends you can put them away and pop on more casual attire.

I am dead jealous actually, not being able to afford nice quality pieces, but then we don't need to dress up in my job. I tried to avoid jeans for work but that went by the by and I now wear whatever is comfy.

Urghhh I hated this when my company did it. I was completely baffled for ages. My casual wardrobe was too casual (IMO) and I had a good work wardrobe. I ended up buying casual items to go with my work stuff, so I didn't look too odd, that said I'd still carry on wearing my work stuff too. I'd also feel really strange and lack motivation sat in jeans, boots and a T-shirt

Ooooh, I love your question and thanks for it!
It is actually very difficult and It takes quite some effett to look smart without a dress code - I have been battling with this for years now!
I had your same problem: suddenly off the dress code II could not wear the clothes that I had so diligently stoked with years of good browsing in the sales.
The problem is not only the lack of dress.code but also why they changed it: your company wants to be more in tune with the current times, so you need to look smart and quick - your dresses, albeit lovely - give an idea fo stiffiness that they cannot afford. And nor can you.
It all comes down to your age really - if you are young ( say, below 45), you can go for black and life is easy - trousers, an oversized blouse with 3/4 sleeves and black pumps/ high heels will do.
You just buy a few and then always, always wear.eother a custom necklace or a big brooch ( yes, I know they are out of fashion but they are a very cheap way to smarten you up without looking prim).
But if you are a certain age it is more painful.
Grey if you do not die your hair , brown if you have olive skin, cream and light blue if you are blonde.
Still, good custom necklaces are a great asset.

The whole point of the switch in dress code is that you can please yourself; they're not suggesting you dress more casually, just allowing it. You won't be the only one still wanting to wear your regular work clothes, but you've got the option to wear something less structured on days when you want more comfort.

I dress much smarter than my colleagues because I look young for my age and get mistaken for a student when I wear jeans. I’m in senior management and want to look like a grown up. I’m not bothered if anyone thinks I’m too smart

We are exactly the same OP and I find it awkward to as I have a wardrobe full of flattering and easy to wear work clothes. I've noticed that it tends to be the older folk that dress more smartly and as I fit into that bracket myself, I want to fit in rather than standing out.

What I've done is just dress in the mood i'm in, or if I have an important meeting I will wear one of my smart dresses as I like to feel prepared. I've also got a great semi-smart cardigan which I wear instead of jackets and some smart trainers that I occasionally wear with dresses.

I don't like wearing jeans unless we're going out afterwards or I'm feeling a bit grungy that day.

Interesting Ashleigh as I have a couple of Patagonia pants like that and would never have thought of wearing them to work - but might give it a try with a smart too.

Top even

We went to DfyD last year as part of a big move into agile working.

Most people have drifted very casual with women generally in jeans and trainers or midi dresses and trainers.

It took me about a year to figure it out as I’m client facing with foreign clients (so still need to be very formal sometimes), a senior woman in a mostly male firm (so really can’t go very casual) and most of my job is cajoling stakeholders who don’t report to me, to do work for me (so don’t want to be too formal when everyone else isn’t).

I actually threw money at it in the end and got some help I’ve settled into a casual uniform of slim jeans, smart flat shoes/low heels, soft silky top and blazer. I also have some cigarette trousers and pencil skirts. Some interesting accessories (earrings, necklace, belts, silk scarfs). In summer I also had a couple of nice shirt dresses that I wore with flat shoes. I still have some very formal dresses for client facing days.

I actually quite like my “casual” days and I like that my wardrobe gets used in my downtime as well. I really don’t have any more clothes than I did previously.

FWIW we have a couple of senior women who have religiously stuck to heels and very formal workwear and it does make them seem less accessible (which is also perfectly valid!)

But I really struggle to find real silk - everything is polyester now

M&S usually has some plain silk blouses and dresses, as does Boden and Other stories

The whole point of the switch in dress code is that you can please yourself; they're not suggesting you dress more casually, just allowing it.

I was amazed that some people opposed this when our last job switched, they could carry on wearing exactly what they wore before if that's what they wanted but they were up in arms that other people would be allowed to dress more casually.

In the team I worked in, some went to jeans and t-shirts, some carried on with shirt and trousers but dropped the tie and jacket and others didn't change at all. Nobody cared who did what