Basic work tops for tall daughter starting first grad job. Plain coloured smart no frills.

[Pistachiomonster]

Help me put together a basic office work wardrobe or at least some tops for our daughter starting her first grad job. She is tall 5’10’, medium build, with a long body, dislikes patterns, frills, anything in the slightest but see-through, hates dresses and skirts, any ties, big collars, big buttons, puffed sleeves etc etc.

She has quite pale skin and moussey brown hair. She has no interest in fashion. She has a pair of black trousers, a pair of navy trousers and three white shirts/blouses that look like school shirts.

So it’s more tops she needs to get her going (maybe a green, teal, pale blue or red that will go with both colours of her trousers). She is on a low starting salary so I was going to try and get her three or four tops and maybe a jumper to start her off as she is on a low starting salary and has to pay a deposit and her first months rent.

Oh, that’s what’s happened to Uniqlo sizing! A S from two years ago is fine on me and now a medium is small - wtf! - I have not gained weight.
As for the OP - Next have decent office wear, maybe Primark for cheap although they’re usually following fashion trends.

I just got a few of these - blue, black and tomato -https://www.wallis.co.uk/product/wallis-short-sleeve-overhead-shirtbyy17019?colour=tomato also French Connection do similar lightweight crepe material with a collar https://www.frenchconnection.com/products/crepe-light-cap-sleeve-popover-shirt-cactus-green?pos=59&sid=620e00e99&ss=r which are easy to chuck on, go with black/navy trousers and then just need a plain waterfall cardi over the top for chills

Honestly my go to smart but comfy/easy is black trousers, black blazer and then I have various plain stretch cotton t shirts.

I never feel shirts look right on me. Too man-ish. I think maybe because I’m quite large chested so they just always seem baggy on my waist. But a stretch cotton t shirt tucked in with a blazer on top always looks smart enough for any meeting etc at my place.

It’s not too formal a dress code though. Trainers are OK as are summer dresses with sandals etc.

So in some places it might not be as acceptable.

I would suggest these, they work under a jacket or on their own and the slash neck makes them less t-shirt looking.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-slash-neck-top/p/clp61233548?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

Thanks this is helpful. I am a 50 odd year old woman and have tried to steer her towards wider legged trousers and to encourage her to look at some stripey slightly oversized shirts and nicer more lux t shirts. She is conscious about her boobs so won’t have anything clingy either.

What industry she is in? Tech ? Law firm? Retail?
How conservative or funky the company is?

“the tall and long body” means you probably best looking for “longline” tops…
Also is she going to iron them? If no, then fabrics like linen or cotton will not work , probably best to look for ones that don’t require ironing

as for specific brands or styles - more context needed - industry, budget…also what shops/brands do you have nearby where she can go in and try them on?

You could try to google “pop over shirts longline” - they are easy and no frills -perhaps they would work?

https://www.frenchconnection.com/products/crepe-light-recycled-popover-shirt?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17339367064&gbraid=0AAAAAD-TvTjDu4X-rbTjwRLn61_nO7f3E&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIz5Pjucf-lAMVO6NQBh1EDTeOEAkYByABEgL9xvD_BwE

@Pistachiomonster a lot of earthy and neutral tones too, I don't think I've ever seen one of them wear pink!! Brown trousers and a cream top type looks, but plenty of black and grey trousers and white/blue tops around too.

Uniqlo is your friend here but if poss get a couple of sizes to try/return, sizing can be hit and miss.

Boxy cropped short sleeve shirts, great basic tees that could be worn with a blazer - there’s loads,

Good luck, it’s fantastic your young adult is heading into the world of work x

Thanks all. Its a small legal firm (not many staff and mixed ages). @WhyamIinahandcartandwherearewegoing my daughter is tall so short and boxy tops won’t work on her long torso. She may get away with some smarter looking non clingy t shirts or short sleeved knitted tops if they aren’t too fitted or too short for her.

@MiddleAgedDread you have been extremely useful.

We don’t have many shops near us to try anything on now. Just a Primark, New Look and River Island all of which she hates. Also we have an M&S, a TK Max and a Next. So we will probably have to order online or visit a bigger city but running out of time.

Your daughter is a grown adult. Why can’t she find her own clothes? I don’t think my mother chose any of my clothes past the age of 12.

@Pistachiomonster Many of the M&S tops do say how long they are when you shop on line. There’s no guessing but I’ve found cropped is really in this summer so definitely check lengths. I’m tall and I dont like cropped.

Also when she’s actually at work she will see what others wear. I would suggest at least 5 tops as there’s 5 days in a week. Plus, is she meeting clients? My DD works in law and law offices are fairly conservative but staff tend to be presentable at all times. So grooming and shoes matter. I’ll have a look at what might suit her.

These are all on the M&S web site. Varying prices. My DDs often shopped at Zara for basic pullovers and tops. Their web site is not the easiest to use but they are very good for basics. Uniqulo too but I’ve never used their web site but DD2 likes their knitwear. She’s very slim though!

I think Hobbs are good for this kind of thing

You might like this at John Lewis:
https://www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-tali-textured-top-ivory/p114801913?s_share=jlappdroid

You might like this at John Lewis:
www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-tamsin-sparkle-stripe-t-shirt-navy-ivory/p115239189?s_share=jlappdroid

You might like this at John Lewis:
https://www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-azalea-short-sleeve-blouse-cream/p115429449?s_share=jlappdroid

@butididFor a 21 year old? A bit too old and not cheap! M&S shirts are pretty ageless and Zara is definitely where 21 year olds go.

The current style especially in your DD's age group is for tops that just reach the waist (with wide/baggy pants) so as long as they're not labelled as cropped, I wouldn't be too worried about tops being long enough for her. I'm 5'11 with a long torso and haven't had any trouble with the usual high street brands recently. I specifically mentioned Uniqlo earlier and everything I have from there is fine.

@SugarnspicenallthingsnaiceThereare quite a few that aren’t labelled as cropped but are shorter than I would like!

For a small law firm, I’d stick with black/ navy wide leg trousers and loafers or DMs. For the top, ideally 1 matching jacket in case she needs a “suit” for something major. Tops would be more fitted, a smarter T-shirt type or a button shirt. Stick to white/ cream/ or black or a blue stripe. Just get a couple of these more formal style things now. She can get less formal once she’s been able to assess what’s needed.

For example, if she’s expected in court, it’s dark suit and plain top. If it’s all office based, it’s likely more relaxed.

When I began my first job (civil service 1960s) I had no suitable clothes and I wore my school skirt and blouse for the first week. I was sixteen and had no previous experience as to what was suitable for a professional office. My mother had no input into my wardrobe and would not have had a clue what to wear in the office either. I asked the advice of my supervisor and she pointed me to which colleagues were suitably dressed and which were dressed in a tarty way. Office wear is a great deal more casual nowadays so the taste of a parent may well be entirely unsuitable.

Not very exciting but I have a selection of long sleeve tops from Tesco. Ribbed, decent cotton, I have black and white striped, black, navy and a sage. I’m 5 11 “ and they hit at a nice length and fit nicely without clinging. I think it’s one of their basics as they just seem to release another colour every season. They wash really well too. It’s my unofficial uniform with linen rich trousers / cotton chinos and flats.