The black hole where style goes to die

[WingsuitDiver]

That’s me.

I’ve finally graduated from uni at the ripe age of 32 after battling a severe health issue all throughout my 20s, and am now completely lost as to what I should wear to my first ever office job. It’s in the fintech sector and the dress code is “smart casual”.

Dresses would be the obvious choice but I haven’t worn a dress in more than 20 years and don’t feel comfortable starting now so I’m thinking I’ll go in with some nice ankle length pants and a top of some sort? I’m 5’2”.

My usual attire comprises of a random button down shirt (usually Hawaiian 🫣), chino shorts, and Birkenstocks so will have to shop from scratch.

I’m thinking of starting with shoes. Are ballet flats still “in”? Alternatively I’m thinking of something like this but I’m not sure if it’s office appropriate or if it matches a wide variety of styles. Help! Thanks. 😬

I think what you’ve posted looks great. The dress code in my office is smart casual and a lot of people wear jeans and a shirt / blouse / non-chunky jumper.

Smart casual is so broad and I think in some workplaces it translates to no tracksuits or football jerseys 😂

Most important is to be comfortable and feel good enough about yourself that you can forget about your clothes and just concentrate on meeting colleagues and learning the ropes.

Ballet flats are back in. But Mary Jane style ones with a strap.

Ballet flats are indeed back, God help us all. Brogues are good too, including those ones you posted.

Tech often leans strongly on the casual side of smart casual, but it's easier to go a bit smart and then loosen up than to risk going too casual first off. I'd go with full length non-jean trousers, ballet flats or brogues, and a plain t-shirt or a shirt as a basic start point.

If it's a style you're comfortable with, you could get away with ankle chinos, shirt tucked in (maybe slowly introduce the Hawaiians as they get to know you 😂) and flats.
Maybe a soft smart jacket over to smarten it up?

I am also a black hole though, so take my advice with caution.

For a random reference: I work at the intersection of media and tech in a tech-oriented role and a smart casual office. Yesterday I wore black boyfriend jeans, rolled up, lug-soled Converse, and a silk shirt. I'm also 5'2 and very rarely wear dresses.

Ballet flats never actually went away. No one is forced to wear them.

Congratulations on completing your degree. And on your new job!

You should feel very proud. And ready to enjoy working life wearing clothes you’re comfortable in. I have nothing against dresses, at all, but I don’t see why they would necessarily be the ‘obvious’ choice for your new workplace if they’re not your preferred choice. I had the impression the fintech sector was quite relaxed in its dress codes?

You don’t give a budget but places like:

& Other Stories
Community Clothing
Cos
Grenson
Massimo Dutti
Uniqlo
YMC

might all be worth a look, depending on your tastes.

My next problem then is trousers! Because of my height I’ve found that I tend to look pretty ok in shorts but not anything much longer. That’s probably also because I’ve only ever tried skinny jeans which don’t look good on me IMO…

I wouldn’t get those shoes as they look like shoes for a medieval peasant unfortunately lol. I work in same industry and dressier sneakers like would be perfect for most occasions https://www.jigsaw-online.com/products/miah-leather-trainer-white?variant=43701400469670&istCompanyId=5cb36b28-3b54-4573-9793-5e46611a0358&istFeedId=862761a5-2bf0-4417-ab0a-7e46ee93302a&istItemId=rliiimtmp&istBid=t&gclid=CjwKCAjw69moBhBgEiwAUFCx2P3RE6e15OqE8LCZXieZ16m7hwm5CsDaPo1nbbrlI6HcpyRXIqmOzxoC5KkQAvD_BwE

Although as we are going into winter I’d probably buy some comfortable but smart boots like a nice Chelsea boot https://www.jigsaw-online.com/products/chelsea-boot-black?variant=44352184058022&istCompanyId=5cb36b28-3b54-4573-9793-5e46611a0358&istFeedId=862761a5-2bf0-4417-ab0a-7e46ee93302a&istItemId=lwtxttiaa&istBid=t&gclid=CjwKCAjw69moBhBgEiwAUFCx2Bnxm4WUQUFqR5Z5BlAdNHGJ4pwmJvhFshRNCNnCOe1uFvX4p-VviRoCufkQAvD_BwE

You can wear these with jeans https://www.whistles.com/product/160656.html?istCompanyId=d1d2f30b-0b0e-49ba-b0a8-8d58b49ea1b4&istFeedId=49ad2f42-8f7d-4601-aa76-c1e7224b47b8&istItemId=ptixqmxap&istBid=t&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=17999921653&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=17999921653&utm_content=&utm_term=&gclid=CjwKCAjw69moBhBgEiwAUFCx2PRd8EPM12zzXTsEH22002x1VEgLPORkt2HmB3dPesEc_RjPryn14RoCjpYQAvD_BwE

and get silk or oversized cotton shirts - something like this https://www.withnothingunderneath.com/products/the-boyfriend-tencel-navy-blue-stripe?variant=39927370481727&currency=GBP&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=18264426475&gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw69moBhBgEiwAUFCx2BQOMCli7yhNsjR2akI7hRIEVUppX16L0qoQqeY2GCVJ4Q-nRLMgEhoCcdkQAvD_BwE

As a fellow short person I really like the cropped barrel legged jeans from whistles for work. Get two colours, then wear on rotation with a few shirts. Add a blazer for warmth and jumper and coat into winter months. If you’re in tech it’s unlikely you’ll be in the office more than 3 days a week so you don’t need that many outfits, just two pairs trousers and three top options and a navy oversized blazer. https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/blazers/product.relaxed-tailored-deep-cut-blazer-blue.1134622001.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw69moBhBgEiwAUFCx2KK9ODAqw_u1xLenEAUxAjqT4fntct5uII11pRTXD2HGHneQEA3-XBoCa7gQAvD_BwE

A pair of DM shoes (quads look cool), black jeans or chinos, and a blazer - black, grey or tan, should get you started. You can even wear your Hawiian shirts under that 😊
Uniqlo, H&M, and even M&S are good places to go for tidy basics.

I'm 5'1", IMO if you want to use the high street so you can try on easily (which I much prefer) then M&S and Next are usually the best bets.
My other go-to is Lands End, they have a decent range of petite lengths and some styles can be hemmed to order.

The shoes in the OP are not brogues.

Congrats!

I wouldn't buy anything too much yet - speaking from experience here! I have a lovely burgundy suit that has only had one outing since purchase! A pair of black or navy trousers, couple of tops and a few warm jumpers/cardis. Shoes wise I'd go for something comfortable, I've seen everything at my office from new balance to Vejas and also lots of random international brands that no one knows about (nor cares for that matter). I wear pikolinos, birkenstock and Tod's - I can wear these for years without issue and they translate easily to weekend wear too.

Once you've sussed out the office vibe for "smart casual" you can work your way up or down the scale.

Much better to feel comfortable in your first few weeks so you can focus on the most important thing - learning/doing the job.

@Sconehenge some great suggestions there!

would just add from whistles, this pair of trousers here - super flattering and I'm 5"5 with wide hips:
https://www.whistles.com/product/super-stretch-trouser-31018.html#cgid=Trousers_Clothing_WW&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=super-stretch-trouser-31018&pos=1

those silk shirts are 😍

I agree with @Equalizer don't buy anything too expensive or too much to start until to you get in there and see what staff actually wear. I think a shirt and stretch trousers/chinos is a pretty safe bet and comfy shoes - the brogues look a good bet.

Hi there fellow short person in fintech, as someone above has already said - sus what other people wear, and also how often you're in the office. There are probably things you already own that are fine, or would want to buy for reasons other than being 'office' wear that also fit the bill. I wouldn't buy stuff specifically for a work wardrobe.

I find wide leg trousers are the only things that really work on me trouser wise, and then i buy denimy ones (dark blue or brown colours), fitted jumpers and ribbed tops that are just a bit cropped but in reality sit in the right place to meet your waistband.

I love dresses, but in winter the tights dillema annoys me. A shirt dress you love covers all sorts of bases though.

a jumper dress is so versatile and requires zero thought.

Shoes, i wear ankle boots and sometimes white trainers. I did try brogues and loafers but it just... Well it didn't feel right, apart from this one pair of very narrow brogues i once had and have never been able to replicate (grr)

Also, vinted is great.

Oh and a collar! Even one that isn't actually attached to anything. Smartens stuff up a few notches and you can get really pretty embroidered ones (etsy), don't go large, made that mistake.

I wouldn’t get those shoes as they look like shoes for a medieval peasant unfortunately lol.

They're a gazillion times better than those dreary white trainers.

(Agree with KirstenBlest that, whatever they are, they aren't brogues)

I wouldn’t get those shoes as they look like shoes for a medieval peasant unfortunately lol.

The shoes OP posted are far more stylish than those dated white trainers. But to be fair maybe fintech does call for a 2010 normcore uniform like most tech places?

Good! Someone agrees with me.
I'd start off my going in your interview outfit, then check out what other colleagues are wearing.
I only felt uncomfortable in a fintech environment on the first dress down friday, after that I was OK. The women varied in what they wore, from designer shoes and heels or dress and flat shoes to trousers and shirt.
The shoes in the OP look a bit like jazz shoes and lack substance.
I'd go for a shoe that looks a bit chunkier.

I’m 5ft. I feel your pain. Check out Uniqlo for casual (neat/conservative) work trousers. A lot of them are described as “ankle trousers” and that’s where they fall on me. (They tend to wash well too.) Most of their shirts are well-cut for the price and the shoes you posted are great. Don’t invest too much until you’ve seen the rest of the herd at work. Buy two neutral/black/navy outfits that you can mix and match and then add to as you see fit.

Good! Someone agrees with me.

Another one here that agrees with you.

@Sconehenge, I really like your suggestions. You should be a personal shopper.

It reads like a personal shopper with something to sell.

I can't get past anyone thinking those ubiquitous and dreary white trainers are more stylish than the shoes the OP chose herself.