What do you wear to work if...

[Newnamewhodis1]

you need to look smart but not super corporate, and if you like to think of your style as a bit alternative/grown up grungy?

Despise the pencil skirt and shirt uniform but struggling for inspiration!

Dresses are easy.
Blouse and trousers.
Shops like Reiss, Hobbs, M&S, Next and Jigsaw are worth a look for ideas.

At the moment I'm constantly in dresses, ankle wedges and thick tights and a teddy bear coat or wide leg black trousers, fitted t shirt and cardi.

I've gone from one of the scruffiness off duty to smartest in work!
I'm surprised myself!

Black skinny trousers with leopard print belt and a fine knit roll neck top tucked in.

@notacooldad sounds good! Could you link to some of the dresses you wear/like? Really interested in what specific items people are wearing as I seem to go too casual (t-shirt style dresses) or too fancy (party dresses). I struggle with the between!

notacooldad could you link to the ankle wedges please? I work from home a lot but I've invested in joining a hot desk work space so I need to up my game a bit too. I have a pair of long (7/8) coulottes and a couple of pairs of chinos that I wear with a fine jumper (three actually, I'm a cold creature) or shirt and cardigan. I have brogues, ankle boots or leather converse that I wear depending on the weather. I can't wear pencil skirts at all and find very few skirts sit comfortably. I wore dresses a bit last year but can't remember when I last did.

Right now my work "uniform" is either cropped wide leg trousers, or a short-ish a-line skirt, worn with a fitted jumper. Opaque tights with skirts. Flat boots or trainers.

Today's outfit is:

Petrol blue cord culottes - Cos last year
Black cashmere poloneck jumper - M&S last year
Black DM Church monkey boots - bought via Depop last year
Big Tatty Devine statement necklace - from the autumn collection last year

(Under the culottes I have M&S black knee-length socks, bought from the school uniform bit!)

(Actually I mean 2018 last year. I haven't moved into 2020 fully yet!)

MotherForkinShirtBalls
They are an old pair I got from New Look. I didn't wear them for about 2 years now I'm in them every day.

Blacks and greys
Checked 7/8 trousers
Pinafore and shirts
Victorian lace blouse types or cami, skirt and cardi
Creepers or doc martens or ankle boots.
Interesting jewelery and good quality coat and bag.

Black denim jeans!

Newnamewhodis1
Sure I'm working late until send you some pictures after.

I do dresses with opaque tights and ankle boots.

A splashy blue, black and pink coloured dress from Cos
Another white and blue speckled dress from Cos
A black stretchy dress (not close fitting)
A longish dark blue and gold floaty humber from Toast with a leather jacket
A long dark pink satin number from Me&Em (its in the sale)
A couple of long loose shirt dresses from Hobbs, and a couple of dresses - one blue and one green - from whistles sale

I find work dressing quite hard, as I'm basically a goth. I don't want the Victoriana or anything too flappy for work. I buy everything black or very dark grey (the odd purple bit is allowed). Stick to smart trousers, jumpers, polo necks, fitted t-shirts, tights, dresses or a skirt. Lots of silver jewellery, the odd scarf and I really tone down my off-duty makeup. Don't want to frighten anyone! Shoes are creepers or I'll wear New Rocks.

@Bouledeneige is this your dress www.meandem.com/sheer-sleeve-satin-swing-dress-fuchsia?

I like some Me & Em stuff but £260 for 100% polyester - wtf!

Head to Uniqlo. I am considering a bid for the brand ambassador. I have a work wardrobe that ranges from smart to smart/cash all from the same shop. Marv!

@Newnamewhodis1 - it’s in the sale (but still..!)

@Boringista yep you're right! Some nice trousers on there made of a 'luxury fabric'. Yep, polyester!

TOAST denim dresses with a polo neck long sleeved top underneath with tights and ankle boots, either black camper flats or brown with a bit of a heel.

Or A TOAST dress with a short jumper over the top when it is cold.

Or wide leg cropped trousers with a jumper or top.

I shop on eBay mostly for TOAST bits and pieces, good quality and feels lovely on too.

Jewellery i don't wear much of but sometimes a cuff bracelet or a pair of ear rings usually gold.

Shirt dresses with ankle boots.
Maxi wool skirts with fitted jumper and boots
Slouchy dress with boots
Straight trousers and blouse
Leggings with flats and a smart tunic

My coulottes I mentioned above are from euro.saintandsofia.com/. It was recommended on here and I was impressed with the quality for the price. Not a huge selection though.

Hush have a lovely leopard print belt I have my eye on....

I recently bought this leopard print belt in a sale and love it www.loefflerrandall.com/blythe-hc-leopa.html

www.popsyclothing.co.uk/collections/frontpage/products/amara-hot-air-balloon-print-dress
www.popsyclothing.co.uk/collections/frontpage/products/shira-navy-white-stripe-dress
www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-ikat-shirt-dress-petrol/p4871070
www.johnlewis.com/kin-doshida-print-oversized-shirt-dress-black/p4867980

www.popsyclothing.co.uk/collections/frontpage/products/cass-camouflage-cat-print-dress

Op,
Hopefully the links will work but here are the some of the dresses that I am currently wearing. I like Popsy, Next, Phase 8 and Kin for workwear

I do a lot of very literal smart-casual pairings: tailored trousers or pencil skirt with a T or sweatshirt, jeans with a smart top/jacket, wide leg crops with plimsols (spring-autumn).
I find smartish jeans with a sharp, tailored blazer works well for meetings when I have no idea what the dress code is. If I get there and everyone's in jeans, I just take off the blazer. If they're all in suits, I keep the blazer on and sit down quickly so the jeans aren't visible.