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. 😬

That is the curse of MN! And the reason why I would never discuss anything I’m planning to buy on a public forum (tbh I only use this one!) before it’s safely in my possession.

It’s all very well if it’s an item from a huge manufacturer, but I daresay most small to medium brands with limited runs of every garment really can’t withstand the thousands or even just hundreds of clicks a MN thread might prompt.

Onvs you want something smart ish but I’d suggest not going too far left field. You don’t want to be spending money on stuff that you’ll never wear again.

I recently started a new job (in tech) and after homeworking through the pandemic had got into a rutt of skinny jeans and tunics/ sweatshirts. So I bought 2 pairs of these:
https://www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-straight-leg-trousers-with-stretch/p/clp60506862?color=DARKNAVY&prevPage=srp#intid=pid_pg1pip44g2r1c2

a pair of chealsea boots:
https://www.danielfootwear.com/fly-salv-cl-p125158/s621047?cid=GBP&msclkid=c91bcfeee1611f2343a2aaf4bbf44a08&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%5BVS%5D%20-%20PMax%20-%20All%20Products&utm_term=2331514407024125&utm_content=All%20Products

and then i could wear tops I already had. If you don’t have any suitable tops I’d buy some shirts.

i’m only in the office 2 days a week now, and everyone is pretty casual so I now just wear the clothes I already had or anything i buy now I know I’ll be fine.

There’s always a debate over smart casual. For some people it’s what I would consider office wear, as it can simply mean ‘not a suit’. My previous company was smart casual. Men still wore trousers and collared shirts but no tie. Women wore blouses and skirts or trousers. I wore black jeans and a nice top/knitwear, as that’s my definition of smart casual.

I like them too especially ‘bone’ . The tan remind me of shoes I had in my teens and were very comfy for my teenage feet though.

Smart casual can be smart jeans and a top, ankle boots maybe. Basically anything a long as you don't look like you've been dragged through a hedge and not a suit. Reasonably professional.

If you are comfortable in what you are wearing, you'll feel more you and able to do your job. I WFH most of the time, but when I do go into the office it is often for external facing meetings and delivering trainings when I need to be smarter. Like you, I'm not keen on dresses for work. I love Cos chinos as they are very comfy and smart enough. In terms of tops, I have a few unpatterned cotton shirts and silk blouses, mainly in cream, navy and black. I wear these with a blazer, but I've just bought a black waistcoat from Zara which elevates it. Shoe wise, I wear ankle books in winter, but skim the top with my trousers, or brogues (I managed to get a steal at the Grenson sample sale, but Jones do good ones too). Sometimes wear comfy red ballet pumps from Boden as well. Have a look at Diane Keaton's style. I also like Alyson Walsh, who is a bit older than you, but super chic and time-less style but still quite funky.

Also, I suspect fintech may be rather male dominated? In which case there may not really be any obvious 'house style' for the women.

It is male dominated, but there are women there. HR and Admin are female dominated, but they'll be in the same building.
Generally, men wear smartish trousers and a shirt, women wear smartish trousers and a blouse or a dress.

DM loafers

The black hole where style goes to die
I expected it to be about Northampton.

😂😂😂😂😂

Next do a petite range (for women under 5’3 but in a good range of size e.g. 8-20) which has smart trousers which are nice. I need suits so get the jackets too. Hawes and Curtis do nice button down blouses (get in the sale though!) and H&M do nice ones too or these kind of blouses work well too (struggled to find one on line as no idea what they are are called!)

https://direct.asda.com/george/women/shirts-blouses/blue-floral-popover-blouse/GEM1090075,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C4

Congratulations on your new role!! It’s very exciting!

So I work in tech and have a similar dress code.

I only wear flat shoes these days, I retired my heels after 2020! I have a few different pairs of trainers, which are my staple, as well as a couple of leather ankle boots if I’m feeling dressy. Lots of people wear ballet flats, they are perfectly fine. And there’s plenty of shoe lovers that still wear pretty heels but that seems less common these days, and they’re probably still just wearing them with jeans!

Tomorrow I’m going to the office and will wear ankle length dark blue jeans and a loose smart but comfortable button down shirt. With trainers. I have a few very plain t-shirts which I buy (same style in different colours) that I can wear with jeans or chinos, and I have a few blazers that I wear with them to “dress it up”. I try to get colours that let me mix and match so more outfits with less pieces.

When we have graduates starting who have asked me what to wear, I’ve suggested they get a couple of outfits only, til they get the lie of the land. And definitely not to feel they need to stock up on formal gear / suits etc, it’s rarely needed these days!! I personally think you can’t go wrong with popping to somewhere like Next, they have plenty that would be very appropriate and reasonably priced, to get you up and running.

good luck!!!

By pants I am assuming you mean trousers not underwear😂 what style of trousers did you have in mind?

Have you thought about very tailored culottes, worn with ankle length boots ((heaven forbid white trainers) and Brora silk shirts and cashmere cardigan or tailored jacket, Jigsaw, Whistles?

https://www.fitflop.com/uk/en/