Ladies - any tips on work clothes?

monicaG84

Well now, you can get quite clever with work clothes, if you're ambitious. If you have women bossess, then stay conservative and do not make yourself stunning (research shows attractiveness is a negative contributor to career, in a female run busineess)

and just the oppostie if you're working under men. Get sexy, girl, and reap the rewards.

Tigsteroonie

I wear trousers from Asda George & Tesco F&F, they last a couple of years; and I buy a new set of blouses, shirts & tops each year from Primark!

jtr2803

According to the young ladies in my team, sheer shirts with bras and skirts that just cover your behind are acceptable and can be found in most fashion stores

I am not a skirt or dress person so always wear black trousers with a nice tunic style top and I have a huge array of cardigans in all colours, lengths and styles. Most of my work wardrobe comes from Asda/Tesco in fairness, Asda do great trousers for £6.

I think accessories are always great too. In my first few years I was always known for colour coordinating pumps! I am quite lucky that I can pretty much wear what I like so I like to be semi smart and comfortable

Tiddlywinks

monicaG84 wrote: »

Well now, you can get quite clever with work clothes, if you're ambitious. If you have women bossess, then stay conservative and do not make yourself stunning (research shows attractiveness is a negative contributor to career, in a female run busineess)

and just the oppostie if you're working under men. Get sexy, girl, and reap the rewards.

Sorry but that's utter codswallop.

I like women colleagues to look professional and that means tidy, with very little cleavage or leg above the knee on show... Not because I am jealous of a younger model but more because I want them to be a good ambassador for the rest of us.

As to dressing sexily in a male environment - that just makes you look like the office tart.

Callie22

I find ebay quite useful for work shirts. There are lots of sellers who sell new 'workwear' and you can get really nice quality cotton poplin shirts for £10/£12. I tend to stick to a shirt/skirt/nice necklace combo for work, so that suits me.

YORKSHIRELASS

jtr2803 wrote: »

According to the young ladies in my team, sheer shirts with bras and skirts that just cover your behind are acceptable and can be found in most fashion stores

Oh thats really made me laugh - especially as I am in my mid forties!! Mmm, maybe not the right first impression in those kinds of outfits. I do know what you mean though, I have seen those girls at work too!

I have picked up some bargain bits and pieces from Matalan in the sale and have ordered a skirt and trousers reduced from John Lewis online so that will do for now. I am resisting the temptation to use this as an excuse to buy loads of things I actually dont need!

Thanks for all the comments though, it has really helped.

nightingalesgarden

I work in quite formal offices but here's a few tips that I've picked up.

- Lined skirts don't crease and therefore look smarter for longer.
- Keep safety pins in your handbag - for when a zip or button goes (and I agree with Sasha101 that there is nothing worse than a badly fitted shirt - check the fit by sitting down and looking in a mirror)
- Try and find clothes/suits with a "matt finish". Shiny looks cheap (and this is from a girl who loves a bit of sparkle)
- I find Tesco suits good - also Outlet Shopping centres are fab.
- use a fluff roller to remove any animal hair/fluff from clothes
- Remove the labels from the bottom of your shoes!:p
- Wash whites separately and keep them white - grey clothes do not look good.
- Navy shows every bit of fluff or dirt going (see note on fluff roller)
- Anything linen will remain at the bottom of your ironing as you will never have the energy to iron it!
- If you buy machine washable suits and if you can afford at the time buy 2 pairs of trousers with the jacket - you wash the trs more than the jacket so fading becomes obvious - also if the trousers are damaged it's difficult to match the jacket

Good luck!
Nightingale

geri1965_2

I wear a blue or black A line skirt from M&S with some cotton t-shirts from Debenhams. A cardigan if it's chilly. Never bother with a suit jacket unless I am going out for a meeting. I do also have some nice trousers from Asda.

slenderkitten

try primark they do have some nice suits and they are cheap, not bad quality i would say. dont buy anymore than two jacket/trousers and a couple of tops if you can get away with it, see what the dress code is like in practice with in the office before buying anything else.

liney

I always buy work clothes from Debenhams when there is a sale. Betty Jackson trousers fit me well, don't drop the hem, and often have a decent knock off.

Also, I find that supermarket tops don't wash all that well, so I go for the cheaper end in Next which only cost a couple more pounds and last longer.

I do need a good knitwear shop though. My cardigans don't seem to stay looking good for long.