New job - office wear advice PLEASE

[Rach247]

I’m starting a new corporate job in a couple of weeks. A step up for me into a leadership position, at least three days a week in the office. I’ve been in a couple of times and it seems smart business casual - no jeans, no full suits either. Everyone looks intimidating elegant or cool!

I’ve been WFH forever with limited need to see other people in person (so can recycle the same couple of ‘work’ outfits).

What do I need to buy? Please help! Any and all suggestions welcome.

I’m 43, tall and relatively slim. Flat chested. Don’t like short skirts.

I'm not saying this is funky (I'm 50, 5ft 11, slim-ish), but it works for me when I need to be in the presence of others rather than WFH!
I go for fluid wide legged trousers with a chunky loafer or brogue, or smart trainers, a simple fitted top and either an unstructured blazer or a bomber style jacket in a funky or textured fabric - or a knitted zip up bomber. I shop at M&S for basics, then Vinted for Zara, Mango, Phase Eight, Reiss, H&M.

I mostly live in 7/8th trousers (black or navy blue) with a top and a blazer. I have a collection of tailored blazers I have built up over the years in a variety of colours and textures.

If the top is neutral, it will be style like the one I’ve linked to below, but I also wear patterned tops, or one that matches the colour of the blazer (Cefinn’s tecni-voile tops are good. I never wear shirts - I really dislike them.

I do wear dresses to the office too, but the above is what I wear to external meetings / board meetings etc and it has served me well!

www.libbylondon.com/collections/tops-and-shirts/products/keswick-white-top

You don’t give a budget - but if you only need a very few things I’d suggest somewhere like

Studio Nicholson

which is unfailingly cool and grown up and sophisticated. And everything is excellent quality. (You’re also less likely to bump into a colleague wearing the same thing, as you might in something from Cos, say.)

Obviously

Me and Em

is high profile at the moment. Would do the same job if you prefer a daintier, more ladylike look.

Loulou de Saison

might feel refreshing - wondrously chic and relaxed. (Hard to convey in photos.)

I love the cool and sophisticated vibe of Studio Nicholson, CountryCousin, but alas, know very well I can’t pull it off. 🤣

I can pull off Me + Em however and have quite a few things from there. Ditto Libby London, which I linked to in my post.

I do like quite a bit of The Fold, but find they are too structured and dressy for my workplace.

Some of the MaxMara diffusion brands (Marella, MaxMara Weekend, iBlues etc) are good for workwear too.

Whereas I would look completely ridiculous in Me & Em but find myself reaching for my Studio Nicholson knitwear and trousers pretty much every day! (Most of my stuff is pre-Covid, from before they started economising on materials.)

There is infinite choice in workwear now, though. I sometimes think if I were starting out as a young graduate going into professional life again, I’d just try to buy one piece of Margaret Howell every time I was paid.

Have a look on Cider. Sone lovely cool corporate outfits on there. Good luck 👌🏽

I WFH now but had a "uniform" for the office
Boring but easy

3 shirts in grey, green and burgundy
3 skirts in check, navy and black
Blazers in black and check
Cardigans in black, navy and grey
Black and nude tights
Black and navy trousers
Selection of dresses
Grey coatigan
Black coat and a grey coat

Black loafers, black ankle boots, black t bar shoes

I really struggle with trousers, I love the idea of swishing around the office in wide legged trousers but I never feel right in them. So I tend towards skirts and dresses instead, mostly with long boots and often with a blazer.

I am in the office 3 days this week and will be wearing:

• Maje black pleated midi kilt
• The Kooples black silk gothic style blouse
• Me+Em dark red stretch leather boots

• Norma Kamali black maxi polo neck dress with shoulder pads and wrap belt

• AllSaints black ruched stretch jersey skirt with poppers
• The Kooples burgundy roll neck
• The Kooples cropped black blazer with leather lapels

A lot of this has been bought via Vinted so I’d recommend looking there if you want need to build up a work wardrobe quickly. I have my eye on a gorgeous Margaret Howell grey pleated skirt on Vinted that would be great for work.

Thank you all! Genuinely so grateful for the advice.

Studio Nicholson is new to me - looks ideal!

I like the look of wide legged trousers on other people but they never feel right on me. I do like a boxy shirt with cropped trousers. Always struggle to find a work dress but would love the simplicity of one item.

This thread has already given me plenty of avenues to explore!

👍