What is office smart casual nowadays?

[BlondeyLocks]

I’ve got a job after a decade of rearing children!
It’s a civil servant role, mostly admin based so a lot of sitting down. Tonight I pulled out my old suits and nothing fits, plus it’s all very ‘corporate’/dated.
I asked my boss the dress code who said he wore tailored shorts and a polo shirt last summer which I’m not sure is particularly helpful to me, as a 5 foot 2, 42 year old woman!
I have a constant bloated tummy and also a ring of fat around my waist/back/hips/bum which I don’t feel at all comfortable about at a size 10/12, but my waist is fairly narrow and top half is size 8/10.
I have strappy stiletto pointed court shoes in navy but that’s about it for work, unless converse trainers or Fairfax & favour boots work now?!
I start Monday, 3 days a week.
Please help me!

I googled work wear at next this is what it gave me
https://www.next.co.uk/shop/use-workwear-isort-score/gender-women?dp=a&dndl=1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA8YyuBhBSEiwA5R3-E9bGfNe6Sy44dRbOmscbEAgAhSMB6dF1qu0cZx5PpAQu2Tih67PqkRoCfBYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&p=12#564.566650390625

A lot more comfortable outfits than 5 years ago lol

I would put effort in for first day or so (Dress, tights, boots or trousers jumper/ shirt blazer trainers) find out what the "style" of the office is i tried not to wear jeans to the office so i could have work clothes and non work clothes so i didnt get bored with what i was wearing

Congratulations on your new job x

Congratulations on the job! I work in a pretty casual office and tend to wear slim trousers and a jumper or blouse and cardigan, plus chunky flat boots / smartish trainers/ loafers when it's warmer.

I have a lot of friends who work in various parts of the civil service (not London) and they really do dress casually - some even slightly scruffily! - for work. I'd say chuck out your suits and don't worry about it!

As an aside, I'd love to wear wide trousers as described by PPs above but can never get the shoes right!

I started a new job in The City last week. Dress code “smart casual”. Went for a capsule wardrobe of midi shirt dresses, wide leg trousers, shirts and heels.

Everyone else in jeans and trainers.

That's an excellent suggestion. It can't possibly be too over dressed and for the vast majority of work situations can't be underdressed. Even if OP hates it, it'll get her past the first few days and at that price can be retired for slobbing around at home with no qualms.

It's very neutral, so not sure you could actively hate it.

All fine although might keep the French Connection dress for better weather.

I struggled with this returning to a corporate environment after several years off - previously the dress code was quite smart.

Anyway it's pretty casual in my company these days and similar for the clients we work with (we interact with clients on teams, not in person, so we tend to make bit of an effort with our top halves!). I usually wear dresses in summer. But in winter my uniform is smarter jeans, boots and a nice top in the office, more casual when at home. In your shoes I'd put a dress or skirt + nice top on for the first day (I did!) and see how the land lies.

Civil service office wear varies wildly. On my team alone, we have a man who wears a three piece suit alongside a guy in jeans and a football top. Women wear trousers or jeans and tshirts or jumpers, sometimes blouses and blazers. Have seen the odd younger woman in leggings or a crop top! Any dress (casual or more formal) seems to work too. Footwear could be flat shoes, boots or trainers.

If you aren't customer facing, I'd buy a few 'safe' options for your first week then assess before buying more. A couple of nice dresses with black tights and boots, a pair of trousers and a top or t-shirt you like? Then you can see if jeans etc would be suitable once you've seen others.

oh and smarter trainers (eg I wear converse sometimes) - are def ok where I work.

I'm a civil servant at Upper / Middle level of seniority - suits definitely not seen as a matter of routine anymore. I can't remember the last time I wore a proper matching suit though I do wear a jacket / blazer quite a lot.

I was in the office yesterday and was in blue chinos, a jersey style top and flat boots which is standard for me. My (male) boss was in dark jeans, checked shirt and boots. I wear leather trainers quite a lot because I have ankle problems so avoid heels. I have gone in in jeans / hoody / converse before now.

Dress with trainers, dress / skirt + top with boots, chinos with top / non-dress shirt / jumper are standard for women of all age groups in my office and the others I visit. I'm a fan of colour and not entirely sure I own anything black so for me those things could be red, purple, stripey, flowery and I don't especially stand out. It's not a sea of black/grey with white.

Hope that helps and good luck in the new post.

For me dress or skirt/trousers and non t-shirt top. Cardigan. Things with usable pockets!! Jackets were too formal. I wasn't in a public facing role but there were public coming in to parts of the building so we had to be reasonably smart in case we encountered them!

Trainers were not allowed so it was flat short boots so I could get away with leggings instead of tights under dresses. Sandals In warm weather. (Flip flop type sandals were also not allowed).

I think all the things you linked to are fine. The wide legged trousers just need to be worn with appropriate footwear/tops, vs what is in the picture. The boots are pretty much perfect.

As its winter, a blazer or jacket or something can be taken along and easily added/removed depending on what you sense the overall vibe is! Stuff a more casual cardigan in your bag if you're the type to get cold but the jacket/blazer is too formal once you arrive.

Most of my City clients are smart casual now, but on the smarter end of smart casual. And I usually wear tailored trousers, boots and a blouse/smart jumper. Sometimes with a jacket. Smart trainers are not an option in the offices I visit so wide legged trousers come down to whether you can find appropriate footwear for them - easier in the summer I find.

Everything you mentioned in your post and your links would be fine.

I'm in a similar work environment (regional public sector) and anything goes now. Lots of skinny jeans / boots / decent knitwear/ nice but informal dresses with smartish trainers. Some women more glam but then you get some hoodies too!

I had a meeting last week and wore knee high boots / midi skirt / blouse and felt a bit over dressed but I'm just happy to get out of my wfh stuff.

I'd not buy anything specially - the dress you feel best in and your boots will be perfect for the first day. Then can buy a couple of bits as you go along and work out what feels right.

I wear either Uniqlo wide leg trousers or tapered ankle trousers, plain ish smart looking trainers (Stan smiths) and a good quality plain neutral t shirt tucked in most days. You can throw on a blazer to smarten it up or a cardigan if more casual.

I've recently started in the CS too (not in London) and everything you've linked to is much smarter than what people are wearing in my office! I was a bit surprised at how casually most people are dressed, particularly at senior levels. I've seen the odd person in a suit or formal dress, but they stand out as unusually smart (and sometimes get the 'off to court again, Mike?' comments!).

There are a lot of casual dresses/jeans/trainers in my team, not what I'd wear for an external meeting but fine for internal and Teams. I'd wear most of your links, and prefer to feel slightly smarter at work anyway so I've been erring on that side of things, dresses and boots etc. I'd go for comfort, layers (erratic heating) and pockets, and bear in mind you may be wearing a lanyard. Everyone has to in our offices, so I need to be careful with certain styles of top and certain fabrics - I've had a few fine knit jumpers snagged by lanyards, and having large boobs means the lanyard tends to bounce annoyingly, so I try to wear a cardigan or something that lets me tuck it away when walking around.

Oh yes, lanyards! We're supposed to wear ours too (and you can't get to the loo without one), so I always wear clothes with pockets. Lanyards and big boobs do not mix well.

I wouldn’t buy anything yet. Go and suss vibe. I’m in local government and we are casual. Trainers/boots/brogue shoes - I’ve never seen anyone in heels. I wear a dress and boots combo or jersey wide leg black trousers (£18 m & s) and a jumper.

Just clicked on your link and the last pair of trousers are what I mentioned. Those with a cashmere jumper would be fine. I wear with slip on brogues, younger colleague wears similar trousers with trainers.

Definitely wait until you start be before buying loads.

You might also want to see how hot or cold the office is - no point getting nice blazers if it's too warm for them. Likewise, buying linen and then having to cover it up with cardigans because it's blimmin freezing.

I'm in a similar role and lately I've been wearing wide legged trousers, leather trainers, fine knit merino jumper and a blazer of some description. I work in London. Gold jewellery. Big chunky scarf in camel tones. We all wear fairly neutral minimal make up, and even if I go in with a blow dry it's usually in a claw clip by the end of the day!

The civil service office I work in has no dress code. Genuinely, no one cares what you wear.

My line manager always wears a tie for whatever reason, his boss is usually in jogging bottoms. We privately refer to him as Captain Sweatpants.

I usually wear a jeans/jumper/trainer combo. Sometimes a dressier skirt or dress in summer. Anything I like really. I wore black cargo trousers yesterday.

If you turned up in smart black trousers and heels to my office no one would care, but I’d assume you had an interview to go to or something.

I'm a civil servant and work in a customer facing judicial support role.
No jeans or trainers but either wear Jersey black dresses or skirts and Jersey trousers with boots or loafers. Bare legs in summer with sandals.

I wear marks and Spencer wide legs with a smart t shirt or shirt with platform Chelsea boots. Office based role

My easy, low cost, smart casual (civil service, no denim) work 'uniform' is:

A pair of Uniqlo pants - either wide leg or tapered ankle length - I started off with 2 pairs and now have 7 in various fabric weights and colours.

Mixed with things I already own and wear on other occasions:
-any top, could be a plain tshirt or one of my 'nice' going out tops depending on my mood
-lightweight jacket or cardi if needed
-flat, soft soled shoes - leather trainers, ballet flats, brogues, ankle boots.

The Civil Service unless you are customer facing is very casual, Jeans & trainers are popular, there are no dress rules.