Panicking - what do people wear in City offices now?

[wheresmymojo]

I have a new job starting in a month's time - so able to leave mediocre white male dickhead boss - yay!

However, I have worked in 'wear whatever you want' offices outside of the City since way before the pandemic.

What do people women wear in City offices these days?

I'm 40, not massively bothered about being bang on trend but don't want to look 5-10 years behind either(!)

On a bit of a budget and a size 22 so having to stick to M&S really...

Huge boobs so anything very high neck and blazers are out.

Help!

My City office is varied depending on department and age. It is only the older women wearing heels that I see, younger women are wearing Veja or other smart trainers with dresses or cigarette trousers. In winter but big jumpers are making an appearance with smarter trousers. You need to sense where you fit in and what others are wearing before committing to a wardrobe.

I daresay it depends on how corporate the company is. There are a range of very corporate and less corporate dressers in my place. I fall in the middle I'd say. Is 'the city' London? If so I work in London.

Lately I wear things like ankle grazer trousers in a dark brown with a turtleneck top that's quite thick but not a jumper ie. Not casual. And then I wear wool socks and brown brogues. Sometimes I'll wear a shirt dress with tights and the brogues. I don't think I've seen a woman wear a blazer or suit jacket in my current office. I'd say more casual dressing is accepted but most men dress more corporately I'd say...

We went from an extremely formal office dress code pre-pandemic to nice jeans, blouse and dressy flats, post-pandemic. (International law firm)

I work in the City and basically wear Hobbs - both the smarter suit stuff and casual stuff depending on whether or not I will be meeting clients. You can replicate the same look with M&S swaps or eBay if you don’t want to splash the cash. Juniors appear to wear literally anything (including micro minis) but seniors stick to Hobbs style.

@Starseeking@Mumsanetta second Hobbs. The Hobbs style is perfect for the office.
Esprit and Ted Baker are my other go to. They use thicker fabrics and better lining than Hobbs, hence longer lasting. Esprit is the cheapest of the three.

I work in an industry that the only other female in the office are PA, receptionist and admin assistant. Need to dress smart to not be mistaken as one.

Some rules people put in the staff handbook: no open toe shoes, no leggings, no flipflops, no shorts and no platform shoes.
It did not say no skirt for men. When it was 25C+ without a working AC, a bloke turned up in a skirt. He got sent home. I support him wholeheartedly. It was boiling hot. We were in an historical building with poor ventilation.
I wouldn't say anything if people break the rules. If they feel comfortable in what they are wearing and they are not seeing anyone external, why not?

Jeans and a top, why not find out the dress code of your particular workplace otherwise this thread is pointless.

Dp wears jeans and a shirt plus has a blazer. Owns a suit for emergencies

It's pretty variable, I would check!

I’d email HR and ask. Before the pandemic my office was suits, heels and pencil skirts all round - now it’s jeans and trainers unless you have a client meeting so it’s impossible to predict. I would follow HR’s advice and buy enough for the first week then see if it needed dressing up or down and go shopping at the weekend.

really enjoyed this thread as a recently promoted woman of a similar size and looking to level up my wardrobe. Any other shop suggestions as well as Hobbs,