Work style for wet weather

[Lovemycat2023]

I am happy with my usual work style - wide leg trousers with flat shoes / boots. But I do often need to walk into the office or to meetings and struggle to wear anything professional without having to take shoes and sometimes trousers to change into. It’s often a couple of miles and sometimes across grass etc.

Does anyone have suggestions of some trousers and shoe styles to wear for these circumstances? I should say that I’m short (with a short body), and so need to either wear petite trousers or get some that can be taken up easily!

thanks

Are you able to leave clothes in your office?I started doing this a few years back and it's so much easier -I have a selection of shoes, tights and dresses in work, walk in in leggings and whatever the weather dictates and it's worth the extra ten minutes in the morning to get changed and feel fresh and dry for the day. I love my walk to/from work as it's good for my physical and mental health so it all works out well.

Does it have to be trousers? I live in NE Scotland so it tends to be pretty wet, and on those days in autumn/winter wear a skirt or dress with opaque tights and a long puffer type coat with a hood. I find the tights dry off far more quickly than trousers. My walk is about 30 minutes from home to work.

Sadly not! I don’t go into the same office regularly enough, and we no longer have any personal storage space anyway. When I used to work in a nice office all the time I had a row of heels under my desk!

I do love the walk in though and leggings are a lightweight alternative to put in my bag during the day so that might be the best idea.

Can I ask what shoes or boots you wear? I do like a dress and have some I wear in summer with sandals which I could put on with thick tights (I do have a nice pair of dark red ones).

I think trainers would look a bit scruffy though? And not sure about ankle boots as my calves are a bit chunky so the top of the boots bite into them. Fine with trousers but not a flattering look with a skirt or dress!

I guess if I went for the dress and tights I would only need to carry in a pair of smart flats which might be easier. Thank you!

Wide leg trousers are no good in the rain if they are anywhere near floor length. Either go for the cropped ones, or slim leg trousers which won't get wet at the hem. Or dresses with boots.
But if you are walking across grass you're going to need something quite waterproof, I'd say walking boots with a change of shoes in your bag. Or avoid the grass and wear leather trainers that are easy to wipe clean.

@Lovemycat2023 I wear leather trainers (Adidas Sambas or Stan Smiths mainly) or DM boots. I’m a lecturer in a creative subject so this is fine for me but appreciate it wouldn’t fly everywhere! As a general “rule” I would wear short-ish dress and boots, or midi dress and trainers.

Wide leg trousers are just the worst for rain, so a longish hooded properly waterproof coat, and then either a dress/skirt and knee boots, or slim fit/straight trousers and ankle boots. Boots in both cases water repellant leather that in waxed regularly.

I think ankle boots might be your best bet. You just need to find the right ones that are a bit dressier, but still sturdy for walking. If you match your tights to the boots, you won't get that cut-off look.
And I do agree that wide leg trousers get wet easier than slim legs.

I have the Bolan black ankle boots from Gabor which would be nice for the office under wide legged trousers - but the hems would get wet. I’m not sure how you solve that without wearing a different style of trouser?

Thanks all - I do like the idea of a dress with tights and boots. My work place is casual, so it’s more about me wanting to look nice! But DM boots would be fine by them. I really like the idea @mdinbc mentioned of boots the same colour as my tights. I like navy shoes and boots so I’ll try to find some smart ish comfortable waterproof navy boots and take it from there. I don’t wear leather but there are loads of vegan suppliers now anyway. Thanks all!