What do people wear to work these days?

[Carbis]

I’ll be going back to the office in September and I think I’ll need a whole new work wardrobe. I’ve been pregnant / on mat leave / wfh / on mat leave again for the last 3 years. I feel like a completely different person to when I was last in the office full time.

What do people wear to work these days? I need to be reasonably smart (I think men are still wearing suits and even ties on occasion) but Phase Eight / Hobbs type dresses aren’t my style. Nor are tailored trouser suits. And although men wear suits, women seem to get away with something less smart, with a bit more personality.

I’ve been looking at Cos, Me + Em, Whistles but I’m not sure about the practicality of wide leg trousers. I commute to London so prefer wearing flats so they would drag on the ground.

Help please! I feel totally lost and really want to feel good after being at home for so long.

Maybe focus on trousers and smart blouses, rather than dresses, for a more modern look? Maybe go for mid/high waist, ankle length and narrower/straight cut trousers.

Most of mine come from Mango and Zara - they're particularly good at basic, office appropriate trousers in a range of colours. Similarly blouses/smart tops. Massimo Dutti and Reiss are also good for this.
&Other Stories can be worth a look too but I think they're focus is less conservative.

I find 'fashion forward' or edgy brands are great for evening/weekends but a little out there for a conservative office.

Midi or shirt dresses in muted prints/colours (and minus ruffles/frills etc) are also a possibility and nice and cool for warmer weather. Not my thing though so can't recommend any am afraid.

And flat/low heel shoes, always. (I'm permanently in trainers these days but our office is much more casual since Covid).

Summer in a casual London office - I'm wearing linen tops, narrow-fit ankle skimmers and trainers or deck shoes, occasionally a sleeveless dress (no frills) and sandals.

Autumn, I've bought long sleeved tops nipped in at the waist, wool wide-legged trousers, a longer style jacket and low-heeled ankle boots.. Plus one shift dress/coat combo for a big customer event.

I walk to work so need to be comfortable and dressed for the weather.

I wear black trousers or long tailored shorts with a change of tops (Coast etc). With nice Birkenstocks (they exist!) for the commute. I work with the public and need to be relatively smart.

Lots of good suggestions, thank you.

I used to wear cigarette style trousers in the summer and wide leg wool trousers in the winter. They were quite poor quality versions though so I got rid of them ages ago.

What I really need is a baby free shopping spree so I have time to try things on. I’ve ordered some new jeans and tops to wear now to get used to dressing properly again.

I wear trousers (wide legged and cigarette) and occasionally dresses. The only thing that's really changed for me in the last couple of years is that I rarely wear heels anymore. Smart pumps, loafers, brogues etc. and low heeled boots are what I wear now.

If finances allow, I'd order online and try on at home. That way you'll get the size you want and you'll be able to try on tops from one shop with trousers from another plus shoes etc. I find in-person shopping so stressful now, it's exhausting having to spot what you need and find your size etc. there seems to be a better selection online. Maybe that's just me. Do your try-ons when the kids aren't around!

I love M&S for basics, especially since I'm a short arse and they offer trousers and dresses in shorter lengths. I've had some lovely bits from there over the last year or so and very reasonable prices.

I have a couple of pairs of Me+Em trousers which are fitted but slightly cropped. One grey one black. I wear them with chunky brogues and a silk blouse or silk t-shirt. Sometimes I wear an oversized blazer with them. In winter I'll wear them with a chunky cashmere polo neck

Personally I wear dresses from places like seasalt, White stuff, joules etc but I don't need to look corporate as it's non profit

On the days I'm in the office I tend to wear midi shirt dresses with flat sandals or ankle grazer tailored trousers with a blouse and brogues. Oversized blazer on top if it's chilly.

I wear slim or wide-legged trousers and a silk shirt with loafers or trainers, plus blazer if I'm cold/need to be smarter. Sometimes a shirt dress.

I'd recommend using the personal shopper in somewhere like John Lewis. It's good if you know what you want. e.g. If you can say you're looking for some navy wide legged trousers, they can get all the different brands for you in the right sizes and you can try them to find the right fit quickly.