I'm going back into the office after WFH and have lost my way completely

[Twopoodlesarebetterthanone]

I have WFH for 3 years and been wearing nike for most of that.

In the meantime I have gone through menopause and am feeling old and out of touch.

I really don't want to wear heels or wear anything fussy and need to get some ideas and maybe some new main pieces and then head to ebay.

I'm 51. and am also growing the grey out (eek) so definitely need a bit of a reinvention and an update.

I work in a very large office where a lot of people come in - heels have largely died a death, floral maxi dresses and smartish trainers seem to be the go-to although I have heard that those dresses are on their way out. Though most people still seem to be wearing them still.

I have one maxi dress which is black with smallish spots but am 5ft 4 and tend to look like i'm dressing up !! I've been doing tunics with leggings and trainers but am civil service and that isn't smart enough for working with senior staff/Ministers etc

I've just started in new office and "uniform" seems to be slim keg/ cropped trousers with loose blouse or dresses and boots
I need new clothes !

Play it safe day 1 and see what the vibe is. Well cut trousers (jeans too) and a loose jacket (not necessarily matching) seem normal in my office.

Yes I like the dresses and chelsea boots thing

@Newgirls where to get well cut trousers though and what shape with what shoes? I always went skinny or bootcut or flare before, but the latter two with heels 😬

Since COVID, we only go into the office 2 days per week, and it’s very casual, I haven’t seen anyone in jeans but anything else is acceptable. Throughout the winter I’ve been wearing dresses with thick tights and ankle boots. When the weather warms up a bit I expect to be wearing ankle grazer trousers with a nice top. No one wears heels or suits. I think “work wear” is a thing of the past!

Do you style your hair? I’m going grey (never dyed so different situation) but feel a lot happier with my hair styled a bit. I used the revlon one step dryer roller thing. Easy to use, even though I am not a fussy, styled hair person.

I have a few pieces from Hobbs (they are styled very well) particularly the blazers and then match with different dresses. I find dresses fit me better and less to co-ordinate. Dresses come form all over, some from Hobbs, Seasalt, next, The white stuff etc…

Vinted is a good place to look as well.

I blow dry my hair (Revlon one step) and wear light make up for the office.

@OhBeAFineGuyKissMe ah blazers and dresses and those shops - I think would work for me. I need to bite the bullet and go and try stuff on in the actual shops.

I go in to the shops and then reverse out because I don't know what to put with what and I also have a harsh inner critic and don't look like I used to!

@Coffeepot72 and @OhBeAFineGuyKissMe reckon one step thing? Will google

Revlon

I'd recommend the slim fit ankle grazer trousers from M&S OP they have a bit of stretch - don't spend a lot until you know what you feel comfortable in/enjoy wearing. I wear loafers with mine and a top with a blazer.

DH works in the city. When I worked for the same company 15 yrs ago before DC it was all skirt suits and high heels from LK bennett.

DH reports that most of his female colleagues are wearing wide leg trousers and smart trainers or dresses and trainers.

Men are still in shoes or boots with relaxed suit trousers, shirt and a jumper/jacket.

This is canary wharf so would have been super smart pre covid.

Try Cos, Massimo Dutti for blazers, trousers and shirts. Uniqlo for fine knits.

For smart leather Chelsea boots and loafers- see &Other Stories, they have nice ones.

I just googled the Revlon one-step as it sounds tempting, but there seem to be a lot of different ones, anywhere from about £15 to £50. What are ones people are recommending here?

OP I feel you. After twelve years working from home I have started in a new job and am working in an office for the first time in decades.

Background: I am 43, menopausal, size 16 and have no interest in what is fashionable. I normally wear jeans and shirts/jumpers. Induction made it clear that trainers, denim an) (bizarrely, unnaturally coloured hair, are not allowed.

Work 'uniform': I wear flat black boots, black tights, just above the knee, long-sleeved mixed cotton dresses from places like Matalan and M&S. Have a black cardigan for when the aircon kicks in. The dresses have different prints on and at the moment they all seem to have high neck lines.

It's taken the stress out of what to wear and I feel suitably attired. It's also pretty standard for what the women of my age and size are wearing.

I rarely go into the office but when I do, I wear smart(ish) black trousers from M&S, smart top from Hobbs or Jigsaw, and low heeled suede slingbacks in a colour that goes with my top, unless it's freezing or raining, in which case I've got a pair of smart black low heeled ankle boots.

I also have a couple of Boden blazers/jackets, bought on ebay.

I'm mid 50s, size 14. I rarely wear dresses as I'm V shape with really broad shoulders, so dresses that fit on my shoulders tend to drown me from the waist down!

As others have said, wear something quite neutral on your first couple of days until you work out what the vibe is. Pre Covid, jeans and trainers would have been a complete no-no in my office, but now they seem to be the go-to amongst junior staff. Managers like me tend to be "smart casual" but if I went in in trainers I don't think anyone would notice.

You mentioned civil service and working with seniors/ministers. I am a CS and in and out of HQ (Whitehall) regularly. This is not the place for trainers, it's smart shoes or boots (don't have to be heeled). I wear dresses/skirts/trousers according to mood, generally a thin smart jumper or fitted top, often a jersey blazer. Chelsea boots and loafers are popular, there's still a few (senior) women wearing court shoes.
HTH

My favourite place for shoes: embassylondon.co.uk/collections/shoes/womens flat does not have to be boring! Plus as they are multicoloured they go with everything. A bit more pricey but they have lasted 2 years of everyday wear.

Currently thinking about picking up these www.houseofbruar.com/harris-clsc-shoe-ta22411chestnuthb/?src=webshp

Have a look at Me+EM, I think they might have the right sort of thing. Smartish wide leg trousers etc.

I have been checking out Trinnys videos on YouTube and looking at my existing wardrobe and how to dress it up more for the office. I have been wearing a white t-shirt with wool high waisted flared trousers from CoS with a navy linen trench with the sleeves rolled up and white platform trainers. It's comfortable but looks casual/professional too. I have adapted this look to other trousers/t shirts and blazers with platform brogues or chunky boots.
Kind of like this sort of look but no sparkles for me!!

I mainly work from home. When I go into the office I usually wear smart trousers, a blouse or top. I'm a big fan of Sketchers and wear black trainers which look like shoes (no laces, they look like black slip on shoes). I no longer wear boots with a heel.

In my office flares with chunky trainers

A large m&s would be a good place to start

I think it depends on your hair length. I have the large oval shaped barrel one, I think it's called the volumiser. Got it on sale in Boots a few months ago. My hair is just below shoulder length - I think if it was shorter then the smaller barrel one would be better.

It doesn't actually 'style' my hair as such, not in waves or curls or anything, but it's brilliant to dry my hair in a smooth, sleek, salon type blowdry (with a bit of swish) which I could never really get before with a hairdryer and barrel brush because I don't have enough arms basically!

I have thick, slightly wavy hair and I use a blowdry cream and section it off when drying and it works great, but I found you have to use the hottest setting to properly dry the hair as I have so much.