What do people wear to work meetings these days?

[Pinkitydrinkity]

I have a few big meetings in the diary. Regularly have ‘drop in’ type meetings that are less fussy. The last few big ones I have attended have been online and I’m just not sure what to wear now!

I work in accountancy and the clients are pretty old school. I have so many nice work outfits from pre Covid but they all feel too stuffy now - the partner I’m going with is young and tends to wear wide leg trousers with converse but I’m not sure I’m ready for that level of casual at these meetings!

Would either of these be ok with slim black/navy trousers, black loafers and a black/white top? I have a nice LK Bennett jacket that would be great but it’s too heavy for the summer 😬 (I’m 30, 5ft7 and size 8 for ref).

https://www.hobbs.com/product/kathleen-boucle-jacket/0122-4866-9083L00-PALE-BLUE.html#q=Kathleen&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0122-4866-9083L00-PALE-BLUE&pos=0

https://www.hobbs.com/product/gina-jacket/0123-4521-9845L00-NAVY-IVORY.html#navAjax=true&imageType=model&is=true&sz=60&start=58&cgid=clothing-coats-and-jackets&isSecondPage=false&pid=0123-4521-9845L00-NAVY-IVORY&pos=90

First one is too casual, second is quite formal

I'd go for the "summer dress with white trainers" combo. It's a safe option.

What about your loafers, your top and some wide leg trousers, and no jacket?

For an important meeting I'll always wear what i feel most comfortable in, give me a sense of confidence, make me look good and relaxed, but strong and the same time (and that is open to personal interpretations..) As long as you keep it tidy,
clean and not provocative (e.g unreasonably revealing, shouty colours or out of context).. Don't overthink. It's not a big deal these days...

Long floaty dresses according to a newly made up big 4 partner who has been coached and changed her style to fit her new status.

I do still tend to wear a blazer but that's because they suit me. So something along the line of cigarette pants, T-shirt and blazer. I would wear wide legged trousers and a tucked in blouse/shirt (no blazer) but I really really don't suit wide legged trousers no matter how hard I try.

Or a dress but shoes can be tricky in a meeting situation because whilst trainers are fine for my office or a couple of my clients, they'd not be fine in other more formal clients. I'm not wearing heels and flats and a dress is tricky to pull off at least for me.

I think both those jackets would work styled the way you say. I’ve got an almost
cropped Bouclé jacket that’s not disimilar and it also looks good with high waisted wide legged tailored trousers and pointy flats.

I wear snug-fitting (not leggings style but not baggy either) black or navy trousers as my base, with a variety of combinations such as a tunic, a blouse and jacket, a variety of cotton tops with a smart cardi and always a scarf to finish off.

I also have a couple of jersey dresses to ring the changes, with necklace and bracelet to finish off.

Shoes: court shoes, smart loafers or sandals with sheer 'nude' tights if I'm wearing a dress. I don't feel the bare-leg look works well if I want to be formal.