What should I wear?

[gatleygirl]

Hope someone can help me - am starting a new job next week after 6 years out - childminder etc all sorted etc and all very exciting- but my last job was in a very formal job (law) and this is a public sector / civil service job.
At the interview the panel had suits on (as dis I) but most of the people i saw on a very quick office tour seemed more casual - although with so much to take in i can't rememeber exactly what they were wearing. What do people wear to work "nowadays"? Have horror of turning up looking completely over / underdressed. Overdressed in power suit would be worst I think!

How about good pair of trousers, decent jersey/cotten type top, and something along the lines of jacket/cardi (softer than jacket). Or if you wear a jacket, take a cardi as well then you can swap if you feel overdressed.

I've no idea what's in the shops though as I've managed to keep away from them for a while!

Thanks Numpty, the cardi idea is a good one. I just don't want to go in on the first day looking more managerial than my managers! I would resort to hovering around outside the office to see who comes out wearing what but unfortunately it's on a gated compound and i might look a little suspiciuos I'll just have to log on to Next now and see what they've got!

Just had a quick look online - when I say 'cardi' I guess I mean something fairly fitted, eg this from Topshop or this from Debenhams, depending on what suits your shape/colouring. I used to work in an economic development agency and got away with wearing stuff like this - but then my job was research so I didn't have to meet clients; it may depend on what you are doing...

They both look great - have just got something similar in angora from sainsburys (as they do a good petite range - most things just drown me). I've actually just found out the dress code is "smart casual" which doesn't really tell me much more but I guess suits are a no no. Will be spending more than i earn to get an updated wardrobe at this rate - all i wear at the mo are jeans and parkas and the clothes I still have from my last job are three sizes too small and a bit dated!

My office is sort of smart casual (tho suits are sometimes worn for big meetings etc)

We all do the cardi, jersey top, fitted trousers thing. Also knee length skirts or dresses with boots.

I get stuff from Principles, Next, Dorothy Perkins. New Look has really nice cardis.