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What to wear in the office?

12 replies

Whattowearintheoffice · 07/01/2023 22:35

I’ve mid-30s and need some help! I’ve got two young children and between maternity leave, then the pandemic, then being pregnant again and another maternity leave, I have barely been in the office for four years. My current maternity leave is drawing to a close and I am due back into the office in London at least a couple of days a week soon. I have no idea what to wear.

My office used to be semi-formal in terms of clothes I guess. We deal with a lot of lawyers, bankers etc. Before the pandemic, I wouldn’t have worn a suit, but instead maybe a nice shift dress or something. And often heels for external meetings, although usually flats in the office.

I feel like the rules for office wear have totally changed since the pandemic. I want to buy some new clothes and shoes. But I have no idea what to choose or where to start. And very little time to search.

I am tall and slim. Size 7/8 shoes. Mid-30s. I’ve always liked clothes, but currently spent my days in jeans and baggy wool jumpers. I do like midi dresses but feel maybe it’s a trend that has passed?

What are people wearing in the City? Does anyone have any good outfits to suggest? any help would be appreciated!

OP posts:
Whattowearintheoffice · 08/01/2023 12:44

Just a bump in case anyone has any inspiration they can share!

OP posts:
Sobekneferu · 11/01/2023 22:39

Hey, yep, things have changed a lot from 4 years ago and I found I needed an update, will share a few finds below that add interest and wrk well together.
In my opinion, midi flowy pattern dresses are crap.
Suit in a bold colour you can wear together or as separates, matching with a neutral or bright top and sneakers www.reiss.com/style/st217548/U94374#U94374?i=6
www.reiss.com/style/ST217539/C02301#C02301
this one will work well for you being tall and appears to be good cut and quality for the price
www.reiss.com/style/st215767/U93642#U93642?i=6
www.reiss.com/style/st276258/C52552#C52552?i=6
look at all the reiss photos for inspiration

basics
shop.mango.com/gb/women/trousers-straight/straight-suit-trousers_37074378.html
shop.mango.com/gb/women/trousers-skinny/skinny-wool-suit-trousers_37026705.html
shop.mango.com/gb/women/trousers-skinny/pleated-suit-trousers_37015132.html

Non iron shirt shop.mango.com/gb/women/t-shirts-and-tops-t-shirts/fine-knit-shirt_37093853.html?c=02

shop.mango.com/gb/women/shirts-shirts/shirt-with-slit-sleeves_37074060.html

a few pieces for adding interest that work together with the rest or with neutrals
shop.mango.com/gb/women/shirts-shirts/metallic-thread-shirt_37029017.html

www.riverisland.com/ie/p/red-side-stripe-wide-leg-trousers-760980

shop.mango.com/gb/women/shirts-blouses/polka-dot-print-blouse_37020409.html?c=85

shop.mango.com/gb/women/shirts-shirts/cropped-cotton-shirt_37097752.html

shop.mango.com/gb/women/shirts-blouses/buttoned-wrap-blouse_27007126.html?c=88

shop.mango.com/gb/women/shirts-blouses/satin-blouse-cross-neck_37049070.html?c=88

shop.mango.com/gb/women/bags-leather/chain-leather-bag_37074056.html

Very good trench btw, can’t recommend enough
www.hobbs.com/product/saskia-water-resistant-trench-coat/0219-3991-9057L00-MOCHA.html#navAjax=true&q=Trench&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=size&prefv1=6%7C8%7CS%7CXS&pid=0219-3991-9057L00-MOCHA&pos=13

Whattowearintheoffice · 12/01/2023 09:47

@Sobekneferu thank you very much for all of these. I love lots of them. Have a slight concern that none of the trousers will fit, because 95 per cent of high street trousers are too short (long legs so need trousers that are from the tall section or specifically longer length usually - might have been helpful to say that originally actually!) but still worth ordering some and trying. You think trainers? Any other shoes? Would largely prefer flats as walk a lot

OP posts:
ChamberLink · 12/01/2023 09:54

Some gorgeous suggestions made by @Sobekneferu. I'm 5ft 9" with 34" leg & I have reiss trousers that fit.
I also shop in ME+EM, The Kooples, Whistles, Jigsaw & Sezane for work wear. Plus a couple of plain basic things from M&S. I find them all long enough foe me.
I work in the arts & I wear trainers sometimes but I also love good brogues, Chelsea boots & flat leather laced up boots depending on what I'm wearing.

I love to look on these websites to see how they style things especially the footwear which can really make or break a look imo

Iamatissuebox · 12/01/2023 09:58

Very similar to you and virtually could have written your post, but I have been back at work a little while.

What I see people wearing that I have taken on board:

Brogues or loafers
White ‘smart’ trainers
chunky ankle boots

ankle grazer trousers
wide leg trousers
straight leg darker jeans
all with…tucked in tops/knits now cold
white oversized shirt, leather trousers, blazer or
long line cardigan

thisplaceisweird · 12/01/2023 10:02

Mango and Massimo Dutti are my go to for inexpensive but chic and nice enough quality pieces. Reiss, Sandro, Sezane the dream but couldn't build my whole wardrobe from there.

Start with a great blazer, a midi dress, some smart jumpers and blouses and a great pair of trousers. Pick 3 key colours to make it easier to mix and match, e.g. navy blue, cream and orange

Sobekneferu · 12/01/2023 10:25

Glad you like the style/suggestions. In the case where most of hight street trousers end up being to short, yeah that’s soo annoying, and I feel the pain being in the same boat.
What I found for me is that regular range trousers that are ankle grazers intended to show the shoe don’t work. BUT, wide or flare ones do. Lucky I already linked wider fittings ones above to so don’t have to search again 😅

Shoe shape has changed from a few years ago. Find valet flats and anything almond toe is out. Typically now you’d go for pointy toe shoes, strappy sandals, brogues and mainly trainers with everything. I went with the vans styles in different colours as they are better looking than gym trainers

www.asos.com/vans/vans-classic-old-skool-trainers-in-black-and-white/prd/24138122?browseCountry=GB&browseCurrency=GBP&affid=25888&_Cj0KCQiA_P6dBhD1ARIsAAGI7HD_RAxV9moSN5oImFjcji0cQB17p1Rn_PUnVf5XTXk2cSycx3DZKtMaAtISEALw_wcB&channelref=product+search&ppcadref=12029787983%7C117574734673%7Cpla-1881083120520&gbraid=0AAAAADqFjODQZeWfRql-jHHTzk11KMm77&gbraid=0AAAAADqFjODQZeWfRql-jHHTzk11KMm77&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_P6dBhD1ARIsAAGI7HD_RAxV9moSN5oImFjcji0cQB17p1Rn_PUnVf5XTXk2cSycx3DZKtMaAtISEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Definitely you want the black and all white ones, but I can recommend getting the camel and pink ones, depending on the colours you’d be wearing at top.

ChamberLink · 12/01/2023 10:53

I wear New Balance trainers & have 3 pairs in different styles / colours
Vans are too flat for me & also not my personal style

thisplaceisweird · 12/01/2023 11:21

Vans don't scream adult professional woman.

Veja trainers are everywhere in London, they seem to be 'the office trainer'.

Sobekneferu · 12/01/2023 12:03

Interesting, I wonder if the difference in perception is due to the industry I work in! Tech, 70% under 30 years old and men. Veja are expensive, geez some are £130-£160! But do look nicer indeed

mewkins · 12/01/2023 12:04

I rarely go into an office but when I do it is casual but I wouldn't wear trainers unless they were hidden under wide trousers and were black.

Having said that I would wear them for a commute! Loafers, Chelsea boots etc

ChamberLink · 12/01/2023 12:20

Lots of Veja here too but I'm personally not a fan so I don't have any

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