Please help with appropriate work outfits for new job!

[Newjobhelp1]

So I'm moving into a new role and want to make a good impression and would like to get a few key bits for my wardrobe. I'm very much on a budget so needs to be as cheap as possible.

However here is my conundrum- the job is kind of a blend of working out in communities where I can't look too 'formal' so no suits or tailored trousers type of thing, the more casual the better - but I still need to be able to be dressed well enough to then fit in and be taken seriously in at the office which (going by what I saw at interview) is more business casual. I've been living in leggings and hoodies in my current job so I'm feeling out of my depth! I like fashion and having fun with it but haven't really had the headspace nor the income since ds came along so I'm thinking this is a good opportunity to refind myself a little bit!

Any ideas on outfits that would be acceptable in both settings?!

I just got some black pallaso jeans from Sainsbury's and have worn them loads already. I can't wear jeans at work but I've worn them in smart casual places (dinner, theatre etc) with a thin roll neck or a black t shirt or a cardigan buttoned up except for top two buttons and half tucked it and trainers every time. It's inspired me to order some wide leg halara trousers from vinted to wear to work with the same tops. I reckon that might work for you? Also, I recommend following Aysat who answers conundrums like this and creates really inspiring outfits! https://www.instagram.com/aysat_officiel/?hl=en

Why are tailored trousers not suitable? They are so versatile. You can wear them more casually with a t shirt & cardigan. Or add a blazer for more formal. Or a blouse for office days. Wear them with ankle boots or lagers or even trainers for less formal and ballet flats or kitten heels for more formal.

What about a few nice but comfortable tops for your outreach work, but then a tailored jacket that you can throw on for formal office time? I’m thinking Officer Lopez in the Rookie Season 5 where she is a detective. She typically wears very good jeans with a smart or band T-shirt and a nice jacket.

I do quite a different job (I’m a lecturer in digital marketing) but wonder if a variation to your taste of my “work uniform” might work for you? I don’t need to be smart-smart, but I wouldn’t go to work in light wash jeans for example. At this time of year I typically wear really good jeans, with a t-shirt and nice knit/cardigan, then trainers or DM boots. A few recent outfits have been:

Indigo barrel leg Cos jeans, white tee (I like the Uniqlo ones) and mustard &OS cardigan, oxblood DM boots

Leopard print Damson Madder jeans, white tee, cream Urban Outfitters cardigan, brown and burgundy Adidas trainers

Black Abercrombie barrel leg jeans, stripy black and white Cos tee, black v neck Arket cardigan, black DM boots

Coat-wise I have worn a Whistles oversized leather jacket, Arket puffer long coat, and short Cos quilted jacket. I have a couple of pairs of wide leg cords that will be in rotation soon.

In summer I wear a lot of midi dresses, midi skirts and t-shirts, but I really hate wearing tights, so it’s always trousers at this time of year.

Similar to pp, I rate a good pair of jeans and then my go-to tops for work are shirts and blouses. I have a couple of Indian block print cotton (just plain boxy shapes with long sleeves), and a few button-through shirts, a plain ivory with fancy cuffs, a dark leopard, a plain washed-out black/charcoal. Most of them are decent brands from Vinted. Over them I quite like a tank top or a waistcoat, especially if the sleeves are nicely shaped.
Jeans, I like Levi’s, and I would recommend going to a shop and trying on, then you could look for the same size and shape elsewhere.

I also like jumpsuits. The Ragan from Lucy & Yak is very comfortable but Joanie and Run&Fly also do lots of nice ones. Vinted is full of them, don’t buy for full price.

I am still trying to rediscover my own style as I’ve entered perimenopause and have to be versatile for my different work roles and my body’s changed a bit, but essentially I am in lots of things I would have worn at 20 as a student. I’ve never managed to persist with suits!!

This. Tailored trousers and t-shirt, plus a sweater or hoodie for when you are out in the community. Keep a jacket in the car to swap into for office.

You could wear trainers out, and keep shoes in the car for office. Changing would take about 30 seconds.

But the OP has said she doesn't want to come across as too formal when working in the community, which would be why tailored trousers aren't the right look.

If her service users are in any way disadvantaged, formal wear can come across as intimidating so it's better to dress down a little, while still being work suitable so not leggings or scruffy jeans. But smarter jeans, t shirts and cardigans are a good compromise and sound like they'll fit in well as business casual office wear too.

OP, M&S jeans are great, I got a lovely pair of black barrel jeans from there for £30 recently, brilliant value. They have a good range of other well priced basics there too and often do Sparks card discounts.

Wide leg trousers with the elastics yes waist, t shirt and an open shirt over it. You can then wear smart trainers in the community and swap for shoes for the office.

Haha I actually love Aysat I'm not sure I'm just as cool as she is though!!

@Bjorkdidit "If her service users are in any way disadvantaged, formal wear can come across as intimidating so it's better to dress down a little, while still being work suitable so not leggings or scruffy jeans" this is exactly it. Building trust and open dialogue in communities new to me is a big part of my role so it's really important I come across as approachable and grounded, if I'm perceived as in any way "corporate" or such then it will make my job much harder. I just want to be able to balance it to still be taken seriously in the office or when I'm presenting to senior management and all of the above could happen on the same day.

@Newjobhelp1 in that case, I’d invest in a nice jacket. I like tweed and wool, but velvet or cord might do the trick, or smoother suit-type fabric (whatever works for your style). You’d probably take it off to drive, so arrive in your community settings either as you are or pop a jumper/hoodie on, and then put the jacket on to go into the office. Something shaped like this:

www.vinted.co.uk/items/7431749625-per-una-brown-tweed-jacket-wool-blend-ms-smart-marks-and-spencers-casual-uk-12

I also work in the community sometimes and i got some black wide leg jeans from Next and I also have a pair of black trousers from Cos. These with colour trainers, cotton shirt and jumper are good. You can then swap the jumper for a jacket or blazer, and often pick these up in charity shops. Also dress, boots and cardi are good and comfortable and again swap cardi for jacket and you change the look. Also fun jewellery can make something a bit less formal.

Tailored trousers are not formal though. They are casual when worn with a t short and hoodie. I wear them from everything to being in the office to walking the dog. My current pair cost £15 from M & S

Wide leg tailored trousers can be a lot more versatile. I wear them with either heels or trainers depending on formality. As an alternative M&S have some wide leg cord trousers that I practically live in in the winter. I think they’d be smart enough for a business casual office if paired with a smarter top half, but could be dressed down with jumper/hoody.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/crepe-elasticated-waist-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60634388?intid=mobileapppdpshare

I’ve recently bought these for work. My office is pretty casual but we often have bigwigs about so need to get the balance right.

I wear with decent trainers and either smart T-shirt or boxy cardigans

How about wide leg trousers / joggers with a racing stripe, can be dressed up and down with sweaters / trainers / shoes. M&S do nice ones.

Even with the op's need to blend in in the community, I can't think that joggers would be appropriate in any office, however casual

A lot of black trousers (obviously not wool, or with front pleats etc) read as casual or smart depending on the rest of the outfit

it think service users might find you equally unapproachable if you turn up in an incredibly stylish outfit. So I think you need to blend in and try strike a balance.

i think a work uniform is a good idea. You can try dresses and skirts to. This is what I wear:

Checked mini skirt and black jumper

midi shirt dress long sleeves
midi skirt and plain t shirt
Barrel leg trousers and striped top
slim trousers and oversize shirt
I wear with black chunky loafers or black leather boots.

I have a hooded Zara quilted coat with a hood that’s good for all weathers, a blazer and cropped wool coat

Out of interest what did business casual look like at the the office? Is it a council or NGO or third sector job?

Smart dark coloured jeans, long denim, cord or leather skirts, jumpers, cotton shirts, knitted waistcoats and/or sleeveless pullovers. Get a capsule wardrobe of these things that you can mix and match.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su885866/v19088

I'd wear long boots with this personally but Mary Janes or pumps also work.

From what I saw of people on the day, men were in shirts and trousers and some had ties but not quite in a corporate style if that makes sense, a bit more laid back than that. Women were in shirts/blouses and tailored trousers and heels or dress trousers, nice trainers and blazer or some in an office appropriate dress and tights and heeled boots and blazer. Their roles require more "authority" so those outfits make complete sense whereas might be harder for my particular role. Some absolutely fab ideas in this thread and I really appreciate it! I agree completely with the poster who pointed out about also not being too stylish and ideally I'd like to get a few key bits I can use regularly in the week but then maybe dress up a bit and still use myself on my own time or on days where I'm just in the office. Since I had ds my body shape changed quite a bit and now I carry my weight in my stomach and arms whereas I wouldn't have before so it's been difficult trying to get used to a new body shape as well as style etc so lots here that I'll be able to test out as a great starting point!