What to wear to first day of work ('smart casual' office in London)

[ucunfair]

It's my first day of work on Monday and I'll be going into the office in central London. HR said the office is 'smart casual', although a quick look on the company Instagram shows people wearing blue jeans, tshirts and trainers in the office.

I was thinking of wearing dark, dark black jeans, a black blouse and some smart trainers (maybe my Vejas or are they a bit naff now?)

I'm going shopping tomorrow so can pick something else up if needed

Just bumping to see if anyone has any advice :)

I’m starting a new job with a smart/casual dress code on Monday too! :)

Yes I think your outfit sounds great, I’m planning to wear dark jeans, a pink blouse and trainers. Good luck!

Sounds good! I’d maybe add an oversized blazer or smart jacket over the top just in case I wanted to feel a bit more formal? You could also swap the Vejas for loafers or other chunky flat shoes, but the trainers would be fine too.

whatever you go for, make sure you feel comfortable wearing! You may have to take a photo for an ID card, so be prepared just in case

I'd wear trousers rather than jeans, to be on the safe side. In my office, smart casual means no jeans (or T-shirts).

Definitely wear trousers rather than jeans until you know what the dress code is.

I wouldn't wear jeans on the first day either, not until you've got the lie of the land. As a general rule, better to be overdressed than underdressed.

I think it's better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed on your first day. I'd swap the trainers for leather flats.

I agree with PPs, on the first day I’d wear trousers and shoes rather than jeans and trainers.

What’s the industry OP?

I would personally do dress, black tights and flat boots for smart casual if I was unsure on jeans. I love winter for work wear because I think you can be comfy, smart and practical with flat boots.

I'd go for wide leg trousers and not jeans for the first day - a near tucked in top and a slouchy blazer - trainers and a double necklace

Definitely go on the smart side rather than casual, always best to be overdressed than under dressed on your first day. See what others are wearing in the office and go from there.

I definitely wouldn't wear jeans on a first day to any job, although it doesn't sound like suited, booted and dressed to the 9s is quite right! Smart looking dress, tights, flat leather boots will cover it.

I went for simple, wide dark trousers, flat shoes and a white silk (well, looking like) shirt. I also brought a scarf to dress it up with and a cardigan to dress is down with….

It's in marketing, in my previous job I showed up in black trousers, a blouse and boots and felt awkwardly overdressed as my manager was in blue ripped jeans, white trainers and a crop top! I think I'm worried about the same thing happening as I felt really out of place and uncomfortable

Obviously this is a different company but the company Instagram shows a few photos of people working in the office and they are wearing blue jeans with white trainers, etc.

If I was your boss, I'd take a dim view of you turning up in jeans if you'd been told smart casual. Despite what the Instagram posts show. Wouldn't be a good first impression. Wear smart casual for your first day at least.

Look, would it kill you to go in in trousers, a dress, skirt, anything but jeans?

If I was your boss and you rocked up in jeans on the first day then I wouldn’t be impressed no matter what I was wearing and if I was wearing jeans too. I generally tended to sound out if there was a mufti day (casual Friday) and then work aroma that.

us on this thread:

OP: I’m going to wear jeans and trainers on my first day to work

rest of MN: I really wouldn’t wear those at least not on your first day. Too casual for smart casual.

OP: sod you lot, what do you all know?! I’ll wear jeans and trainers on the first day.

I think the jeans are fine as long as they aren't skinny! I won't lie I'm not keen on black with black though and I'd say switch out the trainers for another chunky flat shoe

Definitely go for the smarter end for your first day/week. You'll be meeting lots of people so go smart but without venturing into business suit attire. Trousers, a smart top and shoes for the first few days is what I did for my new job until I had the lay of the land. For all you know the pictures online could have been taken on a dress down day (we have those on Friday). Do a full week and see what everyone wears and then branch out to jeans and trainers.

No-one will think any less of you for being smart.

I’d wear wide legged black trousers with white flatform trainers and a fitted long sleeve Breton or plain top. And yes, this is my work uniform atm.

Jeans too casual on your first day.

Please show me where I wrote this kind of response? lol

You definitely shouldn’t wear jeans - jeans are casual casual, not smart casual.

Wear trousers, a relaxed top and blazer. I wouldn’t wear trainers either for your first day - maybe some Mary Janes, loafers or boots.

Jeans and trainers = casual. In no one’s world is jeans and trainers smart casual.

I actually think trainers are always casual. Smart casual would be jeans and shoes/boots in my world.

Jeans definitely count as smart casual! Casual casual is, like, leisurewear/sportswear 🤣

How old (roughly!) are you OP and whereabouts (roughly!) is the office? This will influence my answer but I think jeans are completely fine

(I know you said Central London but there's a difference between Soho and Mayfair!)

I honestly think black jeans with a smart top and clean trainers would be fine! It’s probably swap trainers for loafers and throw on a blazer for the first day, but black jeans are totally fine! I wear them all the time for smart casual work, including when I’m in central London!