New Job Smart Casual Dress Code

[Sunsnowsun]

I’ve just got a new job, it’s mostly wfh with a couple of informal client meetings a week and lots of phone and Zoom calls. It’s sales related so mainly client facing. However, I’ve got 3 training courses to attend in person that I need to pass before I can start the role. The courses will have a maximum of 6 people in them so, I’m pretty sure that what I wear will be noted.

The dress code for these is smart casual and I’m trying to decide what to wear and pack for each week.

I’m mid 50s, 5 ft 2 and a size 12.

I would be really grateful for any advice on what you think works well in this type of working situation. What your favourite outfit you wear is.

I know not to wear jeans/trainers.

Thanks in advance.

At this time of year I would wear a nice jersey dress, tights, ankle boots and a smart top - either a jacket or a smart cardi.

These are my cardi's of choice www.hobbs.com/product/ella-cardigan/0119-9466-1124L00-MIDNIGHT.html#q=cardigan&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0119-9466-1124L00-MIDNIGHT&pos=1

And I have some nice dresses from seasalt that pass muster.

I should add in the same height/size as you and near enough your age!

I'd see smart casual and go in dark jeans and shirt with casual blazer over the top or dress, tights and ankle boots.

Uniqlo U might be a useful place to start. Their new season of supremely simple clothes has just come out so you’d look very contemporary (which is important).

Thanks I will have a look at all, I’m very aware that I need to look current so Uniquo is a great shout. I will definitely put a cardigan in and I like the idea of dark jeans, with a shirt and jacket. Im probably overthinking it, but know that I will need to feel comfortable in both the feel and look of what Im wearing as for me that a good confidence boost.

Now considering if I need more ankle boots ….

I'm not particularly fashionable but the way I see it is
Casual: Jeans, hoody and trainers - I'd wear this for school trips
Smart casual: dark jeans, shirt, jacket, ankle boots or smarter trainers - I'd wear this for Inset day
Smart / business wear - I teach chemistry and am fairly clumsy which can be a messy combo, so tend to go for dark trousers, tops and blazer and brogues.

Any idea of the ages of your colleagues?

We are mostly smart casual and the younger crowd are in decent jeans and trainers.

You might do best with the jeans/jacket combo the first day whilst figuring out how the dress code has been interpreted. Pack jeans and trainers anyway because people usually get changed for the evening.

Having said that, you need to feel comfortable and dressed for work. I couldn't possibly go to work in trainers but I have an old mind.

Congratulations on your job and best of luck.

If you can stretch to £89, yesterday John Lewis had a Whistles soft blazer ish jacket. Lots of colours. Over my maxi ish dress it immediately changed the look to look smartish, but was cost like a cardigan. I'll wear it with jeans too - it modernised me!!!
Navy / black / bottle green etc, lots of colours.

Cosy not cost!

But highly recommended.

www.whistles.com/product/slim-jersey-jacket-30907.html

Here is a link.

@PhDmum22 for the whistles jacket link, I’m going to John Lewis tomorrow so will have a look and try it. It looks great. Not sure of the other attendees ages.

It might be worth asking your employers what they mean by smart casual. I volunteer as a guide at a museum and the smart casual code specifically excludes denim and trainers.
The general rule for such first impressions is to err on the formal side, as you can always relax later.
Uniqlo got me through years of teaching in a dress-coded school: smart, comfortable and practical clothes.

@Sunsnowsun let us know how you get on!

Thanks all, your comments have really helped and it’s definitely what I was thinking. I’m definitely going to err on the slightly more formal side for now. I’m thinking a jacket rather than cardigan and smart boots rather than trainers.

It will be very rare that I have to go to the office, once the training is completed, but as it is a client facing role I think it will be better to start off slightly more smart to begin with.

Quick update, wore a hush dress on day one and trousers, blouse, whistles jacket combo on another, mint velvet dress in the evening. Thanks so much for the tips.

Having been there now, my interview was off site, I’ve got a bit more idea about what sort of things to wear when I go back. Thanks all for your tips as I definitely felt more confident in what I had chosen because of them.
The other thing I did was to have a manicure, so I looked well groomed 😀 with nice hair and makeup.
Thanks again

That’s great! Best of luck with the job.

(And enjoy your new wardrobe!)

Well done! All the best in your new job.

I teach chemistry and am fairly clumsy

No one else finding this mildly alarming? Just me then. 😁

@CharlotteSt I'm not drunk pirate clumsy 😁.
Our science labs are old wood tables which catch at your trousers, I'm forever walking in to them, black trousers are better for hiding the plucks. Stains and indicators like iodine, methylene blue, red cabbage water or universal indicator are easy to get on hands and clothes. The worst stains though are sodding green marking pens I always put them in my pocket and they always end up leaking.

@PhDmum22 on your recommendation I ordered the Whistles jacket in charcoal earlier this week. It is the best thing I have bought for years. Just perfect.

Thank you very much.

Cords, wool or velvet trousers, jumper or shirt and a blazer.
If you do not wear trousers, then the equivalent in a skirt.
Loafers or brogues.