What do you wear to work?

[MsFrost]

Starting a new job (higher education setting) soon.

I've been WFH for 2 years and have no work clothes suitable for an office - I'm feeling a bit out of touch about what is even normal work attire these days!

I'm a trousers rather than skirt person, pear shaped, mid thirties. What do you wear for day to day work in autumn/ winter? Any recommendations??

We have optional uniform. I have ponte trousers like these then wear them with either my work uniform top or a smartish top (not shirt that would be overdressed but not t shirt that would be underdressed) or a jumper. I work in public sector in an office .
people wear all sorts in our place- jeans etc these are 100% more comfy than jeans x

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc142476637

I'm wearing Allbirds trainers, navy Me and Em side striped trousers and a cobalt scoop neck jumper from Jigsaw. I manage a research programme in a very well known London uni.

Suits/jackets and skirts tend to be worn by university management rather than departmental administrators and faculty, at least at my uni.

not shirt that would be overdressed but not t shirt that would be underdressed

@Ponderence That's the thing - I feel everything in my wardrobe is over or under-dressed - hard to find the happy medium of "smart casual"!

Maybe you can find a way of toning down the smart shirt, by wearing a knitted vest over the top, like this?

I am a massive fan of a jumpsuit. I have many! Today I'm wearing a loose fit, wide legged black pinstripe jumpsuit from M&S...

This is it. Jumpsuit may well be your answer...

I mix it up sometimes with other pieces but my "uniform" is:
M&S trousers (I have 2 black and 2 navy in the same style)

LandsEnd 3/4 sleeve round neck plain tops or M&S 3/4 sleeve boatneck tops in a range of colours. Lots of black and navy, but also pine green, teal, burgundy, pink, sage green, white etc.

I have about 5 jackets to put over those for more formal meetings - black, navy, navy with burgundy stripe, tirquoise, deepish emerald green. (I tend to put a coloured top on days I have a black jacket and black trousers or navy/navy, but then would do a black top with black trousers if choosing a brighter coloured jacket, IYKWIM).

And I also have a few necklaces in different colours to work with the tops (and a jacket if needed) or different coloured scarves, for when it's less formal days.

Black flats with a pair of heels under the desk for when they're needed.

It's amazing how often I wear the same basic look and get compliments on my outfits being so different and vibrant!

You've nailed the capsule wardrobe- love this!

In colder months, I have about 7 M&S ribbed jumpers, same but different plain colours, instead of the lighter tops (they're years old now). But also Uniqlo has nice good jumpers that are fine on their own or can be layered under a jacket in the same way.

Or just wear a thermal layer under the regular tops.

I've worked in Higher Ed for years. Previously in a teaching role, now behind the scenes in an office. You will see a full spectrum of outfits - particularly the men (one day I had a meeting with two men - one in a full suit and one wearing scruffy cargo shorts and t-shirt!). I tend to dress depending on how I feel on any given day and what I know I've got on - so slightly smarter if I am meeting important people and more casual if it's just an office day or meeting students. My go-to outfits are:
Black jeans, blouse or boat neck top, Chelsea boots or brogues for smarter days
Dark jeans or chinos with a jumper and nice trainers for casual.
Comfy dresses which can be made smart or casual depending on footwear.
Tweed trousers, shirt and jumper with DMs when I occasionally lean fully into the dark academia look.

I notice major variations across the uni depending on dept too - so lecturers in the business school tend to be more conservative dressers than those in the art school who dress a bit more creatively and those in life sciences are the most casual!

Following for ideas! Going to start a volunteer placement in a school soon and no idea what to wear. Love the idea of a work uniform I just need to find my style!

I’m a lecturer but in a creative subject - I agree with pp that it varies massively by department. My team are pretty casual, whereas eg the law team are much smarter. Only senior management are formal-smart, and even then not all of them.

I find this time of year quite hard to dress for because the rooms are still really warm, and it tends to be quite high performance with new students. Some outfits I wore last week:

Black Levi’s “baggy dad” jeans with black and white striped Arket top and black and white Samba trainers

Black/blue printed Monki midi dress with blue and white Sambas

Black Cos midi dress with navy/green/wine New Balance trainers

Black Lucy and Yak Alexa trousers with blue and white striped Arket top and blue/mustard Adidas Spezials

I have a lot of dresses I wear with opaque tights and either trainers or DM boots when it gets colder. I WFH on a Monday so anything goes.

Unfortunately, a polyester uniform.

I hope you find something gorgeous, OP.

Vet scrubs for my day job and smart casual for my evening meetings!

3 or 4 pairs of trousers - wide legged, tapered and tailored. 3 knee length skirts (2 M&S and 1 Fat Face). Mix of shirts, boat neck tops and cashmere jumper and cardigan for winter days.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far.

@BiddyPop Lands End is a good one, never really looked at them before but they have great basics. Thanks.

@Judystilldreamsofhorses Your outfits sound really fun, I have some awesome pink DM's but would be nervous about wearing them for work! Maybe some black ones...

@Geekchicnerd I love the sound of your 'dark academia' look!

Sounds like it's a bit of a free for all in higher ed settings so maybe I shouldn't worry so much 😅

I’m also in a similar role - most of us go into the office 2 days per week, and these days anything goes (except jeans). Although dresses have been very popular for the last year, probably because you don’t buy them specifically as work-wear?