What to wear

[Janebod]

Hi I’m new here. I’d like some advice about what to wear. I’m starting a job as a quality manager for an engineering/ manufacturing company. I noticed during my interview and walk around that most staff are men wearing jeans. There were a few women also very casual. The director who interviewed me looked quite scruffy. I sound a bit stuck up, but I am used to dressing up a bit for work. I don’t wear jeans ever. I’ve put on lots of weight due to dreaded menopause, So size 20 but I’m tall so I carry it quite well. I wont be meeting customers so any suggestions about what to wear? Should I just continue to dress well and to hell with it?

I’m in a totally different role to you @Janebod but I can relate. So many of my colleagues look very casual, and some scruffy including when meeting clients to discuss really important matters which I feel is inappropriate for the work we do.

I note you don’t wear jeans (I only own wear pair and feel odd in them!). Do you like to wear trousers? Or do you only wear dresses and skirts?

What do you normally wear for work?
If you don't wear jeans, would you wear non-denim jeans?

I’m a size 16 and I wear lots of midi skirts with blouses or T-shirts tucked in and I can wear these with a blazer or wrap style jacket I can wear if feeling chilly or if meeting certain clients. I like this style as it suits me and I can also easily swap for a jumper and leggings and boots underneath when it’s colder and make my items more versatile.

When not wearing skirts, I wear dresses! Midi length ones, and either wrap ones or mesh dresses with a jacket. I have one pair of black linen trousers that I wear with blouses in the Summer - but the rest of the time, it’s skirts and dresses.

I sympathise! But I would suggest that you evolve your idea of what ‘dressing well’ means.

It doesn’t have to mean dressing in a formal style.

And it definitely doesn’t mean dressing in a way that seems designed to distinguish you from your colleagues and make them feel that you look down on them.

Dressing well does almost invariably mean respectfully acknowledging the community you find yourself amidst. Particularly if your new job might involve sometimes tricky negotiations in pursuit of acceptable outcomes.

Post-lockdown millions of people are having to adjust to exactly this altered working landscape - and I imagine billions of pounds have been made by the designers and brands who’ve been quickest to shift away from stiff shift dresses and cardboard suits to the sort of elegant smart casual wear so many people now need / want - Patrick Grant being a case in point:

Community Clothing

Take a look. Emulate from your own wardrobe - or add to it from the many things they offer up to around size 24.

Wear what you feel comfortable with as workwear, but probably emphasise practicality over fashion. Engineers do tend to dress down.

You could be describing my company, OP. I carry on dressing quite smart (dresses, skirts and jeans with a shirt or smart top, plus jacket or nice cardigan on cooler days). I get lots of compliments, despite 2/3 of our staff wearing more casual stuff. I might be imagining it but I also do feel that it has earned me some respect because I show to make an effort for work.

What do you usually wear? What does dressing up a bit mean to you?

Most tech companies don’t mind what you wear do wear what you feel comfortable in - there inst a uniform

There are lots of nice smart casual clothes you can embrace without wearing jeans.
If there are practical concerns eg you need sensible shoes then consider building your outfits around those. Look at Pinterest for ways to adapt your smart wardrobe to the setting but ultimately wear what you like and feel confident in.

Wide trousers and trainers?

https://dimplesonmywhat.com/wide-leg-pants-with-sneakers/

Id just keep wearing what you are comfortable in TBH. I can see how dressing more casual then everybody else might be a problem but dressing smarter is surely fine.

Yes trousers or skirts. I just don’t find jeans or leggings comfortable.

I’m not sure I understand your post. I did however previously work for a company involved with ethical fashion, so I understand the idea. Check out Colorifix.
When I say dressing well, I mean not wearing ragged dirty jeans, sweaters with holes in them and trainers. Which is what my new colleagues wear.

OP, I am in a very similar position. I have invested in the perfectly fitted blazers and wear them with jeans, sometime a slop skirt and something nice like a cami, t shirt, silk blouse. You can change jeans for ankle tapered trousers or chinos or full length trousers. I am still a heels person being short and always add a high quality belt and jewellery. Always get compliments on looking polished. Hoodies belong in the gym, not in a professional environment - don’t let scruffy colleagues dictate their low standards, they are not Zuckerbergs. Lead by example.

Workwear is definitely more casual these days. I wear a combination of jeans/wide leg trousers/skirt with nice trainers, a t-shirt or blouse with a blazer, or dress, which I dress down with trainers.

if your a quality manager for a factory will you be going onto the floor and have to garb up? if so look for clothing that can easily be taken off or you can put a white coat over. am similar i don't wear jeans often but wide leg in black or dark navy can look very smart with a stripe shirt and blazer. invest in some nice flat shoes ganni ones are fab but pricey (vinted always as them ) mint velvet has some fab ballets at mo. I feel they look better then runners. runners are OK but I wear more smart ones or my golden goose. a mix of long skirts blazers shirts is a good start

Leggings should not be worn to work anyways!

I visit an office infrequently now and dress code is casual so I try not to waste my hard earned money on “work clothes” so tend to wear something like a white stuff (casual but smart-ish) 3/4 sleeve dress and Veja trainers. This look is pretty flexible. Dress it up with some flat shoes or convert to winter with some DM boots and tights.

Just continue to wear your existing clothes. Definitely don't buy new clothes to be 'casual'. If, after a while, you still feel overdressed, then wear what you would wear at home on the weekend.
My office is like this, not just jeans but incredibly scruffy and leggings etc. I still dress for work.

Lands End are very good for exactly this. Their size 20 cords fit very well and are a good balance between casual and scruffy. They dress up beautifully.