Please help with office clothing ideas for DD15 work experience

[CherryShiner77]

DD is going to a mid size law firm for her work experience in a few weeks time. The dress code is “formal”.
Im happy to buy her some outfits - she seems to have stopped growing so maybe these clothes will get worn again in the future.

please can you help with outfit ideas? What did your DD wear for work experince?

black trousers? Bootcut? Shirts? She wears a women’s size 8. I don’t know what girls this age wear in a formal capacity an DD isn’t into clothes and doesn’t have an opinion, however she will notice if she’s out of place when the time comes.

thank you!

No experience but maybe a formal pinafore dress with a shirt. Maybe something like this https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/black-square-neck-boucle-mini-dress/p/944465201?extcam=UK_PPC_PMax_Generics_Champion__Google_MT__DV_m_CID_22906269809&ppccam=PLA_NW_x_AGID__LOC_1006948_DM__TID_&ppcfeed=FIID__PRID_9444759&_cclid=Google_EAIaIQobChMIq6earrHmkgMV7JNQBh2EnwPREAQYCCABEgIwc_D_BwE&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22906281515&gbraid=0AAAAAD2UatPG9yDuL8FDSx9IsQm7mV7aE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq6earrHmkgMV7JNQBh2EnwPREAQYCCABEgIwc_D_BwE

Ooh thank you!

I think formal means a jacket. DD 16 has a work wear sixth form dress code - she wears tailored skirts or wide legged trousers with cable knit jumpers or striped/plain cotton fitted shirts and on assembly days the dress code is ‘formal’ and that means a blazer with it. Buying a jacket will definitely be worthwhile for college/sixth form/interviews or whatever. H&M had some good clothes, and Hollister has been good for shirts, but she’s got all her (Ralph Lauren) cable knits from Vinted. She also liked a Lycra mini skirt I got her from M&S, which was super cheap but looked more formal than the similar things she had from shein.

Does her school have uniform for 6th form or a dress code? If it’s a non-uniform formal dress code school then buy a couple of outfits that fit those rules.

That pinafore dress is too short on the model for a teen doing work experience. If it’s more like just above her knees because she’s shorter than the model then that would be fine.

Black trousers and shirts would also be fine. She could also try black trousers, a plain top that’s not a shirt and a blazer over it. School shoes are fine for work experience week.

Don’t go overboard. She might have finished growing height wise but still have bones that need to widen more (hips and shoulders). It’s not guaranteed that what fits this year will still work for her in a year or two.

Not terribly exciting but I’d probably stick with something fairly conservative in a law firm. Black trousers (straight or even ⅞ length) and a coloured shirt would work. You could maybe get a fitted blazer or a little cardigan to go over the top. Flat loafers. Depending on how long her work experience is for you could add a skirt worn with tights. Try to avoid black trousers and a white shirt so she doesn’t look like a waitress!

Thank you all, these are great ideas

Her school has a no-uniform 6th form and yes they wear formal style clothing. I’m going to get her to think about what the girls wear and see what she might like to emulate

No criticism of the OP but this is another barrier for some students accessing this sort of work experience. IME employers should always say that school uniform is acceptable (or even encouraged).

If it’s formal definitely not that dress, formal is trousers (not skintight) or skirts (not too short or long) or smart tailored dresses again not too short or long. Plus blouses. Very few workplaces are formal though so I’d attempt to find out how formal they are

Yep this is the way to go. And then hopefully anything you purchase can be worn next year /the year after at school if it still fits.
The law firm are unlikely to complain as long as she doesn’t show up in ripped jeans and band tees or gym wear.
Have a think about whether any of her current clothes would be ok too. Does she have any plain coloured knitted jumpers? They would be fine. Any trousers that aren’t jeans or distressed fabric?

Are there any people pictures on the law firm website? Might give some clues as what's acceptable for that particular firm.
I'm a chartered accountant and a smart cardigan/jacket can transform quite informal clothes very easily.

DD15 has just finished her work experience in a law firm so great timing for advice. We bought a blazer from M&S as her school blazer has a logo. That was £25. She wore it with her school uniform which was grey skirt and plain white blouse.

DD wore pretty much exactly as MoreMaths said - black cigarette trousers (school ones), school blazer (plain black) and a shirt with DM shoes. They said on her first day that smart casual was fine so she then just wore school trousers and a jumper.

Thank you for these tips. A blazer with parts of her uniform is a good shout. She has one nice knitted jumper that she can definitely use. (The rest are hoodies!)

A safe option would be dark skirt or trousers (school uniform is fine), a top or jumper and a blazer (again school is fine). Dull but suitable for the office and also fine if her work experience takes her to the courts.

It’s work experience so don’t worry too much. Decent length of skirt/ dress or trouser- no denim. Neat hair and nails etc.

I am a senior partner in a law firm. We have a ‘dress for your day’ policy. Meaning always look smart, no ripped jeans etc. never be dressed where clients would think you were scruffy if you walked by reception however ‘formal’ has hugely shifted in recent years. I only ever wear a suit if I’m going to court. I wear 7/8 trousers with a bodysuit, blazer and a nice belt most of the time. Sometimes with smart trainers on - she will be doing a lot of running around depending on what area of law she is put in. Our work experiences are regularly sent to the bank, on coffee runs and over to court with paperwork. That dress is absolutely fine. They basically mean don’t come in jeans and a T-shirt. A blazer can smarten anything up. Do t overthink it x

Thanks again everyone, really really helpful 😊 feeling a lot better