Help - smart casual capsule work wardrobe

[shggg245]

I've got a new job where the dress code is smart casual. I've always struggled with this and tend to be either very smart, or jeans and docs casual.

I've got a few dresses which are potentially suitable, everything else is super corporate so wrong. What should I be looking at? Tightish budget. 5 ft 6- size 12-14.

Watching with interest - I tend to wear smart dresses with cashmere cardigans but would like a bit of inspiration for smart casual.

If you wear jeans a lot, it is easy to wear cigarette trousers (or wide legs/cropped/whatever suits) with a silky blouse in a colour that suits you, with a Uniqlo heat tech layer underneath if it is cold. I think knitted jackets look less frumpy than cardigans but I always wear cardigans as more cosy... then block heel courts or pointy flats (Boden do nice ones).

Or you can do a midi dress, knee high boots with heath tech layer plus knitted jacket/cardie.

Nice simple earrings/jewellery and a bit of lipstick, done.

Trousers (skinny or wide leg) and (uniqlo) merino wool round-neck sweaters are my go-to in winter. With brogues usually. I also have some Boden dresses that I wear with brogues or ankle boots.

I want to update my trousers though. Probably for a cropped tapered style.

An instagrammer I really like, Anna Cascarina, did a great post on this the other day - slightly more on the "smart" side of smart casual, but a brilliant jumping-off point I thought.

I work in a similar environment and wear wide-leg trousers and pleated or patterned (floral/animal print) skirts with crew or roll-neck jumpers at this time of year (usually merino, from Cos, J Crew or Uniqlo, to avoid overheating in the office). Trainers or ankle boots. Dresses with jumpers either over or layered underneath. I have a personal "thing" about not wearing jeans in the office but lots of people here (arts/media) do!

I went from a very corporate environment to a much more 'smart casual' office, plus lost a lot of weight too, so I ended up pretty much buying a new wardrobe for 'smart casual'. Like @Zinnia I tend to mix and match skirts or wide-legged trousers (or sometimes cigarette pants or 3/4 length) with edgy jumpers and/or chiffon blouses. Sometimes I add a blazer or a tanktop. I mainly wear boots - combat boots or fitted knee length boots or quite smart but edgy low heeled ankle boots - with an occasional appearance of loafers or trainers (on a Fri). I walk a lot so comfy footwear is important!

I've got a lot of clothes from Palones (fairly new British brand that's great for smart casual with an edge), plus the odd piece (usually a jumper) from Arket and Cos. Throw in a bit of discounted House of Holland/Paul & Joe/The Kooples with some sample sale jumpers from &Daughter, and I have tons of outfits that look great in or out of work now. I always wear one piece of statement jewellery (so either a distinctive ring or some funky earrings etc) just to make the most of not being in such a corporate environment any more and having the freedom to 'express myself' now.

Ooh @HundredMilesAnHour I have wardrobe envy! You mention quite a few brands I've been meaning to check out...

Thanks @Zinnia. I'm lucky that I live in a part of London where there are a lot of sample sales (it's sample sale season right now!) and over the years, I've slowly acquired some really beautiful clothes/accessories for not much money. For example, a week ago I picked up a Christopher Kane black blazer for only £30. It's actually a men's blazer but I'm quite tall and the length and cut works perfectly for me. I'm sure I'll be wheeling it out for years.

Which reminds me....Uniqlo released their collaboration with Marimekko this morning. I've ordered this dress and I think it will be perfect for smart casual at work. And only £35.

/uk/en/product/women-marimekko-cotton-long-sleeved-dress-426541.html?dwvar_426541_color=COL55&dwvar_426541_size=SMA002&cgid=IDdresses1695

Damn sorry, I didn't copy the full link. Here it is:

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-marimekko-cotton-long-sleeved-dress-426541.html?dwvar_426541_color=COL55&dwvar_426541_size=SMA002&cgid=IDdresses1695

I would add that wide leg trousers with a crew neck jumper and either smart trainers or loafers;

Midi skirts (go as OTT as you dare) with a crew neck or a blazer and belt for formal days with posh hiking or biker boots - Pinterest really is your friend for inspiration. Zara have some wonderful items to add to your more expensive ones.

Thanks all. Hammered my credit card but got some lovely things :

cigarette type pants x 2 (flattering on my arse) , gorgeous cashmere poloneck in camel, a tweed midi skirt, fab mohair black jumper, cream sweater, 2 shirts white and slate. Plus black loafers. Pallette of black, slate, camel, navy and neutrals.

I'm channelling a 60's mod look. I've got a very short pixie so it kinda goes....

It's great not to have to dress like a funeral director, it feels really liberating. In my old job I had to wear a suit jacket AT ALL TIMES regardless of weather.

Very excited, now need to crack on and pay the credit card off. I'm justifying my splurge as an investment in myself.

Think I'll sell my corporate wear on ebay.

Where did you get the cigarette trousers from OP?

Your new wardrobe sounds lovely @shggg245!

@HundredMilesAnHour I really need to get on some more mailing lists, my own new(ish) job is in the West End!