Office workers, what do you wear to work?

alwaysonthego_2

I wear skinny jeans and pretty top or a tea dress usually with biker boots or ballet pumps. I work as a social worker with homeless people

AnnieO1234

Working in an office as a directors assistant I and my immediate colleagues wore suits with heels, including platforms. An elements of s3x appeal never hurts especially for sales! I don't find flat shoes even leather ballet pumps dressy, but them I'm old school that men should wear ties.

Go suited and booted your first day, see what others wear and go from there. What I would say is, if this is a career path, dress as if you had the job you want not the job you've got.

X

thorsoak

M & S shoeboots were always my preference for footwear - see:-http://www.marksandspencer.com/gp/search?field-keywords=shoe+boots+wide+fit&viewID=results&intid=gnav_search&node=42966030

And I would always go to T M Lewin and get my shirts from there - see:- http://www.tmlewin.co.uk/Womenswear/Womenswear,en_GB,sc.html

They might not be the cheapest - but always washed and ironed beautifully!

minerva_windsong

On a typical day in the office I'll wear either a plain block coloured top and a printed skirt, or a knee-length dress - either plain or with some kind of pattern. Then I'll add a bright cardigan, tights (black, nude or coloured) and different shoes depending on the season and weather. The one exception is dress down Friday when I'll usually wear skinny jeans, a T-shirt and Converse, unless I have meetings with clients.

meanbean wrote: »

This is a really interesting thread.

Could I ask for views on heels? If you google 'office wear' almost every image is of a woman in high heels, yet my friends and family report no-one in their offices wear heels, and that flat black smart boots seems to be the main shoe of choice. I'm about to start working occasionally in an office and am having to chose appropriate shoes and don't know what to go for.

Up to you - I wear heels in the office most days (other than dress down Friday) but they're quite low and chunky rather than spindly stilettos. Though that is mainly because I can't walk in super-high heels. Sometimes I'll wear ballet flats though depending on my outfit and how much walking I have to (eg if going to meetings offsite). A quick scan of my colleagues' shoes though reveals everything from knee-length boots with skirts to ankle boots to high thin heels to flats!

heartbreak_star

I work in a lab/office, and wear black pants, boots and a black top or jumper. Most of my colleagues wear the same, although usually with a bit more colour added

Dolled-up office girls with tons of make-up, tight skirt-suits and spindly stilettos always look a bit outdated or trying-too-hard for me.

Just my opinion though, I'm more likely to take someone seriously if they look smart and functional rather than overdone.

HBS x

tea_lover

AnnieO1234 wrote: »

An elements of s3x appeal never hurts especially for sales!

I think most of us prefer to get by on our skills, experience and professionalism.

BitterAndTwisted

Speak for yourself!

Having met lots of women who work in sales I can vouch for the "sex-appeal" quotient. But that doesn't have to mean inch-thick make-up, sky-scraper heels, low-cut-tops or clothes that look poured on either. Most sensible women understand the need for subtlety and understatement.

Answering the question about heels: my opinion is that the shorter the hem-line the lower the heels should be. Most woman know how to avoid looking like they are a night-worker when they have a job in an office.

YORKSHIRELASS

For anyone starting a new job dont go mad buying clothes until you have settled in.

I have found that in my job I might have to go to a site visit at short notice which might involve a bit of walking so high heels are just not practical. I need a warm coat that looks smart too.

I like wearing skirts - so I have a couple of pairs of winter boots, and some low heeled pumps that I love. I have three really nice skirts in black, brown and grey and then a a good selection of funky shirts/tops in bright colours. Add a cardi if I need it and I am sorted.

There are loads of dresses around at the moment and these can be a good option too.

You need to feel confident and comfortable and a lot of that depends on your own personality.

teffers

I wear an angry experssion ... I want to go home.