Smart casual work outfits for winter outdoors

[JessicaJacket]

Part of my job involves being outside in the cold. Usually not when it's utterly pouring with rain, but when it is cold and drizzly. I'm not there all day, so it needs to be things which also look nice enough indoors or layers I can remove and put back on again.

Things like wide leg trousers are not practical in the rain, but then skirts can be too cold. Also, most shoes aren't warm or waterproof enough, so think it has to be boots everyday.

Has anyone cracked this?

Ideas so far are maybe knit dresses, tights and knee boots with a gilet under my coat.

What sort of job? Outside work to me would be construction or gardening or agriculture. Or is it like playground duty so not needing specialist clothing?

Answers would be very different

Yes, playground duty

If it needs to be smart - I'd go for Chelsea boots, thick real wool socks, slim tapered trousers- Or even wide leg can look ok depending on the cut, shirt and wool jumper or roll neck wool. Thermal scoop neck infer if needed.

Slim trousers are a good idea, as they won't absorb all the rain! I like the look of wide leg on me, but I find they drag through puddles and the water migrates up my trouser leg 🥶

@JessicaJacket yes I meant slightly cropped wide / straight leg. Look good with ankle boots

Knitted or thermal tights with boots are plenty warm enough - actually I find them warmer than trousers.

A long gilet (Calvin Klein do nice ones) covers the shoulder seasons well and is nice and warm around your hips in winter. They're not particularly fashion-forward but very practical and comfy.

Açai walking trousers are lovely. They come in a wide range of colours and look really smart with a nice top. They are fleece lined so super cosy

Would a long coat be practical?

I do break duty and find that thick tights, boots and a long padded coat is better than trousers.

Cropped trousers - wide or narrow leg - with knee high socks underneath and ankle boots. A thin gilet/tank top that you can put on under your coat and over your indoor clothes. Leather gloves - as it is usually my hands and feet where I feel the cold. If your feet are still getting cold then a spare pair of ankle socks you can pull on over the long ones.

Thanks for all of these suggestions. I do have a long, padded coat, but it might be a bit casual. But maybe not with the right boots.

I'm a trousers kind of girl, but maybe this is the time to branch out into dresses and skirts!