Are black cords acceptable office wear?

[Newjobadvice]

After a few months of not working (redundancy) I'm starting an open-ended temp role next week as admin for a small company. My previous role was in IT so pretty casual anyway plus 2 years of WFH and 2 more of hybrid working since Covid and I'm pretty much out of the loop with "office wear". What limited suitable wardrobe I have is a bit "snug" so I went to have a look in the sales today to pick up a few items to keep me going at least till I have a few weeks' wages behind me.

Among other things I picked up a pair of black bootcut cords for £7. Years ago cords would have been viewed much like jeans, so a no-no for the office but am I right in thinking office wear is more casual now and cords will be fine?

What about dark coloured jeggings with a long top and boots?

For context, I'm mid-50s and the last time I worked in an office environment the dress code was very much smart blouse,skirt, tights and court shoes. I really hope things have moved on.

I should think you’d be okay.

But it will depend on the particular office environment. Very corporate/legal/finance type places could be more formal, though generally even these places have relaxed since covid.

In my charity office central office, you’d be totally fine.

I’d say yes they will be fine but you may want to wear something slightly smarter for your first day just to see how smart/casual everyone else is.

Depends on the industry but where I've worked (FinanceTech, Retail Tech and Marketing) it would have been fine. Maybe wear something else the first few days to sense the vibe?

Thanks for your quick responses. Yes, I was intending the first day to wear what I wore to visit the agencies (black office trousers, blouse and black jacket with boots) to get a feel for the place. Trouble is the trousers are a bit tight to sit down in and I can't fasten the jacket so I have to wear it open. I have a G bust and button-up blouses tend to gape between the buttons so I have to pin or put a stitch in between. I can just about get away with it for a short meeting / interview but not longer term.

My last role decent-looking jeans with a jumper/tunic top were fine except for in-person meetings and WFH days were joggers/hoody. I really am well out of the loop.

It's freezing, I would wear a jumper and trousers that are neutral enough to be considered smart or casual. Then you can assess the situation after your first day.

Cords with a top and soft jacket would be fine in my office. Do you have a dress you could add to the mix with opaque tights and a soft jacket or smart cardi.
I agree that smarter is better on the first few days. Black trousers blouse under a thin jumper would work as it is so cold. Also no blouse gape. Or a thin thermal under the blouse and another button undone.
It is better to buy after the first week or so. See what the protocol is. There might be a dress code or some occasions where you have to be smarter.

Thanks again.

@NellietheNumpty I think I've worn a dress once in the last 5 years and that was to a wedding, I'm 2 sizes bigger on the top than the bottom so it's difficult to get a nice fit. I occasionally wear skirts to work in the summer if it's really hot but always with bare legs as I have always hated tights. I have a massive bust with big hips but long, skinny legs and arms.

Think of a spider with a fat body but long spindly legs in human form, that's pretty much me.🕷

Or an inverted Mrs Potato head but with longer limbs.

I'm kind of shaped like this

I would avoid the jeggings, in any colour, for being too casual. FWIW I need to look smart and I wear black trousers with a variety of tops or nice (non-pilling) jumpers. Occasionally a skirt or dress, if I have the time to choose in the morning. I think cords might also be too casual, but depends on the office and job. Good luck with the new job! It’s not easy getting a new job in our 50s.

I think cords are fine, take the jacket in case.

You won't get fired on day one if very slightly out of line with dress code, if it was important you would have been given instructions. Plus if they would fire you for that, you don't want to work there anyway as it'll be something else next week!

Good luck with the new job.

It would be fine for us, and indeed I quite often wear my red cords. This week, you wouldn't have been able to see under the layers of jumpers...

Depends on the firm really.

My son works in Financial Services and bought some relatively "smart" casual shirts, chino trousers and beige leather shoes for work. He knew it wouldn't be suits and ties anymore. The dress code per the employee handbook was "smart casual". In reality, everyone below senior management level wears T shirts, jeans (some wear ripped jeans) and trainers! Apparently, he thought he stood out like a sore thumb on his first day and his "smart casual" stuff has been sat in his wardrobe ever since!

In my accountancy/tax training courses, upto about 20 years ago, attendees would be wearing smart business suits etc. Over the years, things have changed massively and now most wear "very" casual stuff. Same in professional offices really. The last meeting I went to in a solicitors office, the solicitor was wearing a T shirt, jeans and trainers. I wear jeans to work - I started doing it on days I knew I wouldn't be seeing clients, but now it's morphed into all the time, whether meeting clients or not.

I think the best you can do is turn up for the first day or two in relatively smart traditional "office" wear and then take your clues from what everyone else is wearing.

Thanks again everyone.

It's definitely not "smart smart" probably more smart casual. I won't wear the cords on the first day and at £7 I will get the wear of them anyway.

I also picked up a pair of dog tooth stretchy trousers in Matalan along with a couple of tops and a pair of black trousers in a charity shop so I should be OK until I see if it's worth shelling out for more.

Many years ago I worked in Financial Services which was very much formal wear, the last 20 years or so has been in IT (admin, not tech) in higher education so much more casual. Some of the actual tech guys dressed like they shopped in a bin.

All the best as you start your new job.