What do you people who work in slightly more 'traditional' offices wear?

[Themasterandmargaritas]

I have a new job and I haven't worked in an office for a long time. What staples do you buy and where from?

I think it may depend on the profession really. It;s a long time since I worked in an office too but I think these days it's a lot more relaxed than 'my day'.

Where will you be - UK or where you are?

It'll be here.

Need more info!

I don't work in an office but, as a teacher in a secondary school, I have to be fairly traditional.

What I wore this week (if I can remember!):

Monday - black and white striped just above the knee dress from M&S, worn with white t-shirt underneath, black cardi over (all M&S) with Autograph bare leg look tights and black ballet flats.

Tuesday - black pencil skirt, grey silk top (tucked in), black linen mix jacket, tights as above (but clean ones!) and black Mary Janes.

Wednesday - grey high waisted pencil skirt, grey silk top tucked in (different one!), pewter cropped cardigan, grey wedges.

Thursday - fitted black and white floral dress, black cardigan, ballet flats.

Today (it was cold this morning!) - black over the knee skirt, black tights, burgundy top, rose cardigan, ballet flats.

Nearly everything from M&S Ltd Collection or Autograph, Gap, Warehouse or old stuff from Principles.

Your outfits sound eminently suitable and authoritative for an English teacher, janeite

I wear "smart" trousers, from New Look, Sainsburys and similar shops, with a long sleeved T shirt (Sainsburys). Seems to be the same sort of thing as pretty much everyone in my office.

god janeite you dress up.
why?

Why thank you, Bonsoir. Do you think I'd need something different if I was a Geography teacher or Maths teacher?

Am a little at how much black I listed though...

my current gaff is relaxingly informal.
i must admit I love it.

Dress up? I don't - I look really, really scruffy most of the time and am generally covered in board marker.

Oh yes definitely. Geography teachers need to wear ethnic necklaces and clothing that they purchased on their extensive foreign travels, and maths teachers need to be organised and repetitive in their look. In very muted colours

I'm a solicitor, small practice not flash city type. When I first went back to work after long break I did wear jackets and even a suit occasionally and I still do for new clients or those who I think will appreciate the effort. Otherwise I wear tailored trousers or skirts and fitted fine knit cardigans over smart tshirts or vest tops, or smartish tops. The aim is to look professional but not stuffy. God knows if I succeed but no one has ever suggested that I need to smarten up.

I hate tights in the summer so tend to wear trousers a lot at the mo.

Says the teacher who (scandalously) wears denim skirts

I used to work in a very conservative place, I wore suits all week. It isn't necessary to keep the jacket on, so used to mix and match with cardigans and wrap tops. Wore a lot of shift dresses. High heels always (makes me feel more professional, oddly).

New job is far more laid back, none of the blokes wear ties for instance. So feel distinctly overdressed. But bollocks to it I can't be arsed to go out and
buy new stuff, so will carry on looking like I am dressing to impress for some time yet.

Where I get stuff from - Linea from HoF and Mexx for the trousers/skirts/jackets, combioned with shirts, tops and cardigans from cheaper places like Tesco. tesco cashmere jumpers a staple.

Plus accessories.

I promise you I don't look like a twat from the Apprentice

the apprentice look is one to avoid

one

I would get sent home if I went in a denim skirt.

two
when i see barristers they often have nicely tailored mens shirts with well fitted trouser suits.
takes a lot to beat that imo

i wear easy iron wash shit shirts from markses. and pants from tesco. and jackets from ebay

Yes, all those natty scarves and jaunty pinstripe combos.

Top tip - never buy workwear from Next. You will look like a 22 year old trainee recruitment consultant.

yes i think i would.
i lifted my head high and walked on past.
short skirts, leggings and yehaaah cowboy boots was ok this winter

Skirt suits or dresses with jackets for client meetings. Always wear heels with those. If I'm in the office, fairly similar but sometimes (gasp) wear flatter shoes.

I work in Sales though so am representing the large corporate company I work for into the Finance Sector. That tends to be pretty "traditional"

That Apprentice who presents that TV show - Kate - I know she has nice teeth but doesn;t she look slightly frighetning in a Jack Nicholson from the Shining type of way here

I get a lot of my stuff from L K Bennett or in the Jaegar sale. I do wear bright colours though. They can't squash my personality completely.

I've got an interview next week for a differnet job in my company and I won't have to be quite so formally dressed if I get it! Yeeeehaaaaa! I resent nearly every penny spent on "serious" workwear.

Hopefully the won't ask me to spell "different"

Belle - unfortunately black IS my personality!

I wear black on the outsiede because black is how I feel on the inside