Work wear- what’s ‘in’?

[Om83]

Help! I’m starting a new job next week. Will be 2 days a week in a fancy office in London, v professional and then rest at home. This is a bit of a career shift to me- previously wore a uniform and then have been doing temping jobs for a while but fully remote. All they have told me is smart, no denim/shorts etc.

have got a few new bits for my new work wardrobe- some tailored navy wide leg trousers, straight tailored cream trousers, a few collared shirts/blouses in light/neutral colours, and some comfy flat black pointed work shoes (which I read go best with wide legs trousers?!)

But I’m panicking about what to wear! A friend who works in London often said majority of people wear smart white trainers with their tailored trousers at work now? Should I be considering a trouser suit? (I have a couple of blazer type jackets but as separates ie not matching suits- is it ok to mix and match or do I need to be matchy matchy?!)

my plan was to play it safe and then suss out what everyone else wears, but feel I am starting to spiral and over think what is ‘safe’?!

What you've bought sounds absolutely fine for most city jobs.

Start the job with what you have bought and you can buy some more items when you have settled in and discovered the vibe for yourself.

Office wear has become a lot less formal than it used to be - full suit and tie for men is definitely less common on the tube but still expected in some roles or more traditional forms. Your trousers and shirts sound absolutely fine.

Lots of women wear trainers on the tube given there is a lot of walking - some of them change into smarter shoes in the office. Depends on your office vibe really.

Thanks @MojoMoon makes me feels better!!

Be careful with wide legged trousers and pointy shoes, they can be a bit lethal especially on stairs.

Most people wear trainers in my workplace. I would play it safe until you sus out what the done thing is.

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what were people wearing when you did your interview?
Can you have a look on the company website/socials to get a bit of an idea?
I would err on the side of smarter for your first few days to make a good impression, then if most people are more relaxed tone it down a bit.

@Geneticsbunnyooh good tip! Have not had to navigate this yet- there is a massive grand staircase in the office so will def try not to fall down them on my first day!! (As an aside, am also fairly new to the wide leg trend… what do people do in winter/when it rains? I remember the bottoms of my hipster bootleg jeans getting completely soaked when I was 16!)

@latetothefistinginterview was online so yet to meet anyone in person. I am going to do some staking of them online and try to suss it out, but yes would rather be too smart and make a good impression than the other way around.

Your outfits sound good for what you need.
For winter with wide legs I’ve worn a kitten heel boot more recently. But not sure what’s ‘in’ for AW2025.
I love a blouse with a big collar or unusual sleeve to avoid just a trousers and shirt look. If you’re working in town, plenty of opportunities for shopping maybe?