Smart (casual) clothes for work

[BunnytheBlueWhale]

We have a new casual dress code for work and I’ve been wearing jeans and trainers. And that’s fine because others do but actually I feel a bit scruffy and would love to be a bit smarter and work with what I have! Maybe not a traditional black or grey suit but maybe a suit that is more quirky or just an cue dress or trousers but not necessarily too smart if that makes sense? 🤔

A nice too and skinny jeans would be fine with some heels or boots

A dress would be ok but then I feel like I need to wear proper stiletto heels...

🤷🏻‍♀️

If shoe type is the issue then find shoes that work and dress up/down accordingly. If you have shoes that go with jeans, have a range of smart jeans and dress up with shirts and blouses. Have a few pairs of smarter trousers that can dress up blouses.

I personally wear dresses that are on the smarter end of business smart/casual and smart jeans with boots and a shirt. Most of my stuff is from Hobbs. Smart casual to me is business suitable silhouettes but add a bit of personality through colours, patterns and textures, with no one judging if you occasionally come in just jeans and a jumper.

My work have a similar smart casual look - I tend to wear black fitted trousers with boots and a nice top or jumper, sometimes dark denim jeans but with a jacket, and not trainers. Dresses with jacket or long cardigan sometimes too.

Thank you.

I think footwear is a big part of it! I have been putting comfort ahead of being smart and it’s accepted because most of the women dress casually but I actually have a professional role and feel i should make more effort!

Also I made a bit of effort to go out to my book club today and went a bit smarter than usual. Black skinny jeans, black jumper and boots and felt good for it. I didn’t miss being in flat shoes. Having said that, id struggle with heels every day as I have a bit of a walk either side of the train station.

I have some nice heeled black ankle boots I like but I don’t know how often I could wear shoes like that.

Also boots are seasonal I suppose?

I will look at Hobbs.

I have some nice loafers and brogues so maybe just not wearing trainers (and I mean plain leather pumps / trainers rather than sporty trainers) will help smarten me up 🤔

My work is similar with smart casual although some prefer to dress smarter than others and some literally look like they are wearing their pyjamas
I usually go for tailored trousers/skirt and a nice top or jumper of some sort and high heels - like the attached photo.
On my real casual days, I will wear chinos and deck shoes, again with a nice top.
Occasionally I will wear black or very dark jeans and boots but I feel these can be a little too casual for the workplace.

I like the second pic Willing

I think skinny jeans are ok in our place given how others dress but I agree some people are too casual. We used to have dress down Fridays and people were quite cas so I think now people dress as they would have done on a Friday

I bought some Chinos from M&S but they are blue and I have no idea what to wear them with. I feel they need heels so as not to look grumpy but they are slim enough and maybe I am just used to skinnies!

I think I have an excuse to go shopping!!