Help - teen shopping for ‘smart casual’

[helpnavigateteens]

My 15 year old lives in leggings + Blakeley/Adanola type hoodies, or tight cropped T-shirts + baggy joggers.

She’s doing work experience soon and needs to wear smart casual. Any ideas for what might work? She’s extremely picky and I feel this might be a challenging shopping trip! Being armed with some inspiration could make all the difference.

What type of office is it? Mine is technically smart casual, but as it’s a creative industry most people are in colourful wide leg trousers and printed t shirts, or button up cardigans and jeans. It might not be as ‘smart’ as you’re thinking!

It’s an engineering company. So pretty middle of the road in terms of style I would think. I’d just love to see people’s ideas of items/outfits that might appeal to her age but fit broadly within work wear.

Just giving a hopeful bump this morning!

How about some barrel style trousers from
Uniqlo and maybe just a long sleeved t shirt? She can add jewellery to dress it up if needed.
I have these trousers and they are much nicer than the photo suggests. I wear them with the plain white long sleeve tops shirt and a gold t bar chain.
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E482256-000/00
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E480869-000/00

I work in engineering and wear jeans, corporate supplied tops as well as safety boots and a high viz. For your DD, I’d go with black trousers, flat shoes and then a t shirt and cardigan or a jumper. Primark has all of this.

Depending on the type of business and building, it may be cold. Our building is cold and we need heating on 11 months a year. The central areas and workshop are always cold and unheated. The environment can make a big difference. Do you know the building which she will be working in?

@helpnavigateteens I doubt it’s shop floor Engimeerjng for a 15 year old. Not all Engimeering is manufacturing - is it office based? I’d just buy trousers and shirts. No one will expect anything else.However dc do need to learn that work has expectations and they limit themselves if they won’t recognise or respect the general workplace norms. We are mostly a casual country now but accepting what employers want is an important learning point. I really would swerve jeans and a t shirt on day 1.

Thanks for the specific suggestions, those are very helpful!

Uniqlo is your friend here and she will most likely want to carry on wearing the pieces too. What a great work experience. Hope she enjoys it.

Thanks ChillWith!