Work wardrobe for teen

[Wolfiefan]

My daughter is planning on joining 6th form in September. They need to wear smart workwear. We are struggling. She won’t wear trousers. Prefers a fitted look.
Obviously I don’t want to spend hundreds and be stuck dry cleaning all the time. We have looked in places like H&M and New Look. Any ideas??

Uniqlo is a great option.

Smart workwear to sixth form…What does that even mean?

I work in a professional setting and wouldn’t say I wear “smart workwear” to the office 😅🤣 maybe 10 years ago, but times have changed a lot.

I think it is key not to buy too much before she attends so she can get the lay of the land - how strict are they with it, what’s everyone else wearing etc. I really wouldn’t spend much before you know what she needs. If she won’t wear trousers that is quite unusual - is she looking at skirts or dresses? Fitted look - ie pencil skirts? I wouldn’t say that will be comfortable for a day of learning…

Get your daughter to ask someone who is already there, or who has an older sibling there, what students typically wear.

Failing that, judicious lurking outside, so you can see for yourself?

Unless they are literally after suits, "smart workwear" could cover a multitude of things.

She’s looking at skirts. We’ve seen a couple of pencil skirts but they were too long. She has been looking at what existing sixth formers are wearing. I was just looking for ideas of likely shops.
It was easy (but more expensive) for her brother. He had to wear a suit. Trousers and a blazer weren’t smart enough!

DD wears the following (and the colours have to be black, grey, brown, cream, white or very muted shades eg maroon. They can have some patterns eg stripes, floral etc but not images, slogans etc)

Smart trousers
A-line short skirts with thick black tights
Fitted tops
Cardis and jumpers

She has some black leather maryjane type shoes with thick soles as she walks home 2 miles and the thin ballerina type shoes just are not sturdy enough. I think her current pair are kickers maryjanes.

It can be hit and miss as to what shops have stuff in, I think I have bought quite a bit from my Very catalogue. New look and H&M etc may have more stuff towards september.

My daughter went to a private girls school for sixth form that had a smart dress code. We bought a few smart/casual jackets that she wore over cute dresses. She's quite petite and wore fit and flare or slim fit dresses. Skirt with a blouse. Nice cardigans. She likes the preppy librarian look. She bought lots in H&M , Next and New Look. She didn't really wear the jackets much, she had to wear them to assembly I think that's really the only time she wore them.

I find marks quite good for basics - they have a few pencil skirts like this https://www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-blend-cosy-midi-pencil-skirt/p/clp60771840?color=CHOCOLATE&extid=ps_ps-pla-pmax_ggl_ww_ch__-UK-_-_bau&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=20011577753&cq_con=&cq_term=&cq_med=pla&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20014443268&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bT2NthyRRnK-9qoe0oyh01MK&gclid=CjwKCAiAkvDMBhBMEiwAnUA9BZcDCfzuYwwWpN85GaLJFtw1PahVdX9PlwzMdZZfSaSPQSNwECHWBBoCATYQAvD_BwE

Do you mean they were knee length? M&S have stretchy sort of pencil skirts, so less structured. You could try La Redoute.

Maybe some crew neck jumpers like these? Can pop a shirt under too https://www.next.co.uk/style/su938063/w05225

DD was at a Sixth Form with a similar dress code, but was fairly prescriptive in terms of colours and patterns, so worth reviewing carfeully. We bought her a couple of suits (M&S and H&M I think), I think she had to wear a collared blouse, and skirt length had to be a certain length I believe (she always wore trousers). They were all always getting told off for trying it on with what they wore.

Thanks everyone. Much appreciated.

We used mango and Zara.

My DDs tops mostly come from Hollister and her bottom halves are usually very short skirts or trousers from Stradivarious. She’s petite and school insist on collars just to complicate things. The kids are smarter than the teachers!