Where to buy basic clothes for office job?

[orangehandles]

Adult dd has asked me to go shopping with her for some basic office workwear, she will be starting another job soon and up till now has been in uniform, so needs a few things to get her started. I've just retired and am not up to speed with what people in their 20's wear to the office, so I'm looking for some advice please!

She will be on a fairly tight budget. Any ideas of what to buy and which shops to go to would be most welcome. What's the term - capsule wardrobe, that's it!

TIA

Uniqlo, zara, h&m. For most offices a pair of uniqlo trousers and any top that isn’t overly revealing will be fine. A couple of cheap plain cardigans to keep in her bag/desk drawer for when the a/c is pumping would also be a good shout. Don’t go overboard.

Ages ago on here a lady put a post that for her work wear she was buying 5 tops, 2 pairs of trousers a skirt and a jacket and she was going to rotate the tops. I think that sounds a good idea.

Yeah, I agree with other PPs. Don’t buy too much until she’s actually gone in.

I work in a ‘professional’ setting and the dress code is smart casual — but for some people it’s very casual indeed including jeans and (football) t-shirts! Other people dress up more but a suit would look out of place.

I agree that offices have got a lot more informal! Thinking about the younger people in my office, they tend to wear wide leg trousers, smart jeans, those cropped wide leg things which are longer than Capri pants but shorter than trousers (no idea what those are called!) With a cute blouse or a T-shirt. Several of them were sleeveless jumper things which would make me look like Vic Meldrew but do suit them!

A decent blazer or chenille or boucle jacket
Trousers that are not jeans

Workwear | Women's Office Clothes & Outfits | New Look https://share.google/HYccYmF54C6BbDThI

Navy Button Front Collared Shacket | New Look share.google/ybMF8u6TvpHQsdw0T

At our office there are plenty in blue jeans, wide leg trousers, basically anything that isn't lounge wear or leggings. Its really casual

Results for blazer in Clothing, Workwear, Womens workwear https://share.google/WBOK3v6rY5HkVB7mw

Vinted !

Uniqlo for sure. Good quality basics. Affordable too.

Thank you everyone for all your helpful suggestions. 🙂

We went shopping yesterday and she made the very most of the sale in Matalan. Two pairs of trousers, one black and one navy, about 6 tops (including a Victor Meldrew knitted job as @OneOfEachPlease mentions above!), a pair of sensible shoes and a new bag, and the whole lot came to about £120.

Perfect selection there to get started on. In fact when I was working (pre retirement) I had a similar smart uniform of black or navy trousers and various tops/blouses + cardigan for cooler temps indoors with aircon! I had a good tailored neutral coloured jacket that I kept in the office on a hanger for the posh meetings 😊

Flats in Summer, ankle boots with low heel in Winter. Spare pair of slip ons under the desk too.

@parallhel Agree about the black trousers - before I retired I had about 5 identical pairs of black trousers and wore those in rotation for about ten years. 🙂