What are you planning to wear to the office this autumn?

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Just starting to think about autumn office wear (now it’s turned bloody freezing). Have struggled a bit with what to wear since I got back in the office in late spring so am looking for inspiration. What outfits have you got lined up?

Following with interest! I felt that I had “forgotten “ what to wear to work after lockdown. Like you, over the spring & summer I kept looking through my wardrobe & was thinking what did I actually wear to work before!
I have decided I need some midi dresses in darker colours (navy, black & white patterned) as they will work in autumn and winter. I’ve also bought two pairs of 7/8 trousers & will wear them with blazers. I’m struggling to find tops/shirts/blouses to go with them at the moment. I did manage to buy 2 pairs of shoes yesterday and that was a relief. They are a pair of black brogues & a pair of chunky loafers. I seemed to only have sandals & trainers up until yesterday!
The weather hasn’t helped either as one day it can be freezing and the next absolutely roasting!

Really struggling with this, particularly as I have the triple whammy of having not been in an office since March 2020, starting a new job AND coming back from mat leave so I’m 1-2 dress sizes bigger than normal still.

I picked up a couple of lovely blouses from Asda and Sainsburys in autumnal colours, but trying to keep it on the cheap as I want to still lose weight!

I might pick up a couple of shirts (formal/tailored style) off EBay, and have bought a cashmere roll neck from Lands End. I also need some thermal leggings, and want to buy some loafers.

I am struggling with nice tops that aren’t plain knitwear, and where I can layer them or at least put a thermal top underneath. My holy grail is a smart dress that is also warm - I have one from Whistles I can wear a v fine knit polo neck under, but my other ones are generally a smidge too casual for office/clinic.

Also following. My normal 'uniform' is:

Dark jeans; slim-straight
Silk blouse or T-shirt
Semi-tailored jacket in a blazer or chanel-type style
High heel boots

It feels like this may be getting a bit staid after 12 years!

I'm going to be in two days a week from this week - I'm a lecturer and we are supposed to keep all the windows open, so that's a consideration! I teach a creative subject so don't need to be smart-smart, and my usual outfits are:

Midi dress with opaque tights - might need to add cardis this year
Cropped wide leg trousers with a slim crew neck jumper
Black jeans (cropped Levi's 501s) with a blouse or fitted jumper
A-line mini-ish skirt with jumper, opaque tights again

I have some nice black cords from Cos that I'll be wearing when it gets colder too.

I'm about 4lb up from the start of lockdown last March so my lovely wool trousers are just slightly neat on my tummy, although I'm sure no-one else would notice it. I need to address that ASAP. Footwear-wise I wear Chelsea boots, DM monkey boots, or black leather trainers.

If anyone is interested in cardigans I own an Arket one in pretty much every colour and it is the most PERFECT cardigan ever. (Actually the website is down, but it's the boxy alpaca cardigan.)

@Judystilldreamsofhorses

I'm going to be in two days a week from this week - I'm a lecturer and we are supposed to keep all the windows open, so that's a consideration! I teach a creative subject so don't need to be smart-smart, and my usual outfits are:

Midi dress with opaque tights - might need to add cardis this year
Cropped wide leg trousers with a slim crew neck jumper
Black jeans (cropped Levi's 501s) with a blouse or fitted jumper
A-line mini-ish skirt with jumper, opaque tights again

I have some nice black cords from Cos that I'll be wearing when it gets colder too.

I'm about 4lb up from the start of lockdown last March so my lovely wool trousers are just slightly neat on my tummy, although I'm sure no-one else would notice it. I need to address that ASAP. Footwear-wise I wear Chelsea boots, DM monkey boots, or black leather trainers.

If anyone is interested in cardigans I own an Arket one in pretty much every colour and it is the most PERFECT cardigan ever. (Actually the website is down, but it's the boxy alpaca cardigan.)

Is that the Arket cardigan with pockets on the front?

I will be in the same position of needing some layers that I can add when needed. I find knitwear quite tricky to find. Any good suggestions?

www.arket.com/en_gbp/women/knitwear/product.alpaca-merino-cardigan-beige.0584165024.html

This one @Maxiedog123 - 15% off today!

@Judystilldreamsofhorses the beige one looks pink on my screen - do you have one? Is it pink or beige? I can’t manage really pale beige but could do warm pink or tan. Thanks!

Got my autumn/winter handbag today a black quilted tote from h and m it's a start !

@MaryLennoxsScowl I have a kind of oatmeal colour, green, pink, orange, navy, and brown - most of them via Depop. They are the best cardigans ever.

I find I get so hot at work so I tend to wear long sleeve t shirts and cardis, with trousers also get sweaty so always go for cotton as much as possible

Thanks - those cardigans look lovely.

Also love the cardigans, can’t find my size anywhere though. Hoping the dusky green comes back in stock.

I’m going back 2 days per week (the other 3 days WFH) and everyone seems far more casual now? I’ve got enough pre COVID workwear to get me through September (tailored trousers and tops) and I’ll be watching with interest before I make any purchases!

I am struggling with this a little too. I’ve only ever been in the office a couple of days a week but our office is rather traditional and corporate so I do need to be smart.

I generally wear midi dresses, anything that shows my collarbone and wrists and has definition at the waist. My challenge is what shoes to wear- I love ankle boots but my legs are curvy with very slim ankles. If I hide the slimmest part in boots then my legs look chunky, same with flat shoes. Heels feel so dated but I do need them.

I’ll be wearing knitted dresses dressed up with jewellery. Faux leather trousers/midi skirt with chunky knits. Silk/satin skirts with chunky knits. Comfort but still making an effort. Can’t wait to get out of the house and dress properly

Re the cardigans they come up big if that helps - I’m a 10 and 5ft 6, and S is plenty big. If I was going to wear them as a v-neck jumper buttoned up I would go XS.

Ooh thanks Judy, I’m probably a big 14 at the moment and pre-baby was a big 10/small 12 so M might work for more fitted at the mo.

Totally struggling with this too - my issues are 7 additional lbs which has pushed me up a whole dress size. And a newfound inability to wear anything other than flats, Toms and trainers.

I’m in a new job and need to sort out some basics and I’ll only be in the office once a week max. I’ve huge array of bits of stuff but can’t seem to compile outfits out of it all

I work in a uni too (not academic). I've been pretty much in our Department on my own over the past year and so have got away with jeans and t shirt (erring on scruffy, not effortlessly elegant). While some of my colleagues always wear jeans, I'm in admissions and so often more public facing.

I have slim 7/8ths trousers from uniqlo which has been a staple for a while, but I feel like I've lost touch with that section of my wardrobe ... and can I even still fit into it all???

Following this thread with interest...

Haven't a clue.

I've got a grey herringbone weave midi dress from two years ago that now fits me, some ancient wide legged trousers with turnups that might be too big now, a second hand green-brown sort of riding jacket, couple of open neck cream shirts, one satin tan-black geometric print, one tan-black geo chiffon thing, too many black tops, a few long skirts and a dark green knitted dress.

Most of my work suitable stuff seems to be green or brown one way or another - if it isn't black/dark blue/dark grey. Oh, and I definitely need some new jumpers as I froze at work last year, but I'm not keen on the full thickness of sleeves or a straight down shape as it hides the waist I'm gradually trying to find again.

If I can get away with wearing proper footwear after buggering up my hip for ages, I've got some flat knee boots, oxblood DMs, some creepers and possibly some old brogues knocking around at the bottom of the wardrobe. Wish I could get hold of some knitted tights, as I like the warmth and texture of them.

I have not been a happy person since everything in the world has been floral, flouncy and frilly - there wasn't a single thing in the shops when I went at the weekend that I'd even consider spending a fiver on, never mind my actual budget. So I'm left looking like the contents of a geography teacher's cupboard under the stairs crossed with a 70s throwback.

It's rather annoying when I've dropped around 7 dress sizes and desperately need new clothes for my new job.

I was just googling this. I typically wear dresses, but I fancy wearing trousers now so might get some smart black ones and just wear with blouses. What shoes do I get though. I have no clue what boots / heeled shoes are in fashion now I have worn trainers for too long.

Oh and I don’t want to invest too much in case we will return to WFH quite quickly if infection rate goes up. I’d rather invest in pyjamas then

I clicked though some email and ended up on the JL site and found myself all excited seeing autumn colours, turtlenecks jumpers and tan leather stuff… but I’m swearing I will not buy more random stuff that ends up sitting in the wardrobe.

I have a terrible habit of buying interesting things but never have any basics ..

I’ve started doing a clearout and I think doing my clothes will mentally clear my head!

But I am really hankering after 60s style long boots in tan leather to go with everything …