Smart clothes advice

Lerage

So I'm soon starting my first "proper", full-time job, and I want to make a good impression. The place I'm going to be working expects a fairly smart appearance, but being female, that doesn't help to narrow it down.

I'm thinking nice skirt suits are the way to go, but since I'll be starting in Summer, will I still need to wear tights? I don't want to bear too much flesh, but I don't want to be sweating in tights either.

Also, I've got plenty of blazers/smart jackets, but I'm not sure what to wear under - blouses and shirts confuse me!

Maybe I'm being overly worried, but I just don't want to look too casual, or even vastly overdressed for my role. Any advice welcome!

Chanus

If you have an excuse to go there, just look around and see what everyone else is wearing.

exmello

Chanus wrote: »

If you have an excuse to go there, just look around and see what everyone else is wearing.

I think the general rule of thumb is at least one step above what you would wear for your position.

Chanus

exmello wrote: »

Chanus wrote: »

If you have an excuse to go there, just look around and see what everyone else is wearing.

I think the general rule of thumb is at least one step above what you would wear for your position.

Well yeah... my point was to get a feel for what that step might be.

Grid System

Suits of any type are pretty much the fanciest things you can wear to work. Whether or not they're appropriate will depend a lot on the business you'll be in, and your position there. Big financial and legal firms the only places I know of where suits are de rigueur.

Aurora Borealis

No, you don't have to wear tights in the summer. Just keep your legs shaved if you wear a skirt, and wear a nice pair of shoes. A conservative pair of sandals might even be appropriate. Flipflops are not.

It's hard to go wrong with a nice white buttonup. Get one that fits though. You don't want it to be baggy, or else so tight you're popping out.

witch_ie

Depending on where you work, you might want to avoid any open-toed shoes at least for the first day/week so that you can familiarize yourself with the dress code if there is one. As for under the jacket/blazers, you can probably get away with a nice blouse/knit. Until you know the dress code, avoid anything that's sleeveless unless you're okay with keeping your blazer on all day. If you're looking to get new clothes, I would suggest waiting on purchasing anything until you get a feel for the place (or at least be prepared to make returns as necessary).

Also, keep in mind that women can wear nice slacks to work as well, and in most places, in the winter or if your office air conditioning is turned up, those can be the most comfortable.

dorkprincess

Aurora Borealis wrote: »

No, you don't have to wear tights in the summer. Just keep your legs shaved if you wear a skirt, and wear a nice pair of shoes. A conservative pair of sandals might even be appropriate. Flipflops are not.

It's hard to go wrong with a nice white buttonup. Get one that fits though. You don't want it to be baggy, or else so tight you're popping out.

Actually, depending on the business you might want to wear hosery of some sort. Personally, I hate having bare legs if I'm wearing a skirt to the office.

I also second the option of dress slacks. My office is freezing year round.

EggyToast

It is no longer standard for women to wear hosiery to work. If you like it, go for it, but do not feel that you need to.

Unless it is a formal place, or you will be doing a lot of executive-level work, you likely do not need to wear any type of "suit," be it with pants or a skirt. Assuming you're in the northern hemisphere, it's summer now, so khakis should be acceptable. A nice button up or knit shirt is also fine.

If you're in the US, you can basically get away with anything that's not jeans and a t-shirt. Professional fashion in the US is pretty bland, and if you look like you put a little effort into it, you'll look a lot better than the person who just threw on some random "generic" work clothes.

So, for the first day or couple days, wear dress-y pants and a button up shirt or a knit top. Perhaps something layered, as you're not sure what the thermostat's going to be. And keep an eye on what other people are wearing, so you know if you need to go to the store on the next weekend, or if your existing wardrobe covers you.

ihmmy

hosiery is required at my workplace, you even need hose socks if you're say, wearing sandals (even dressy ones) with your slacks. Is lame, but such is life.

I personally am a biiiig fan of dress pants and slightly fancy shirts. Not necessarily button up ones, but shirts with character and more class than a t-shirt. You want to make sure your shirt under your jacket (if you're gonna wear one) is nice in case you overhead and need to take your jacket off.

If you're doing a skirt on your first day I would wear hose and ask a co-worker if the hose are required, thus you will know for the second day. But, being someone who hates wearing skirts, personally I'd just do a nice pair of black dress pants, black closed toe shoes, and a pretty colour button up shirt

MurphysParadox

You should be able to contact the company's HR department or your future functional manager and ask for any official dress code information. If possible, the manager or team lead, if you've been put in contact with one, may even be able to help you understand the current 'norm' for the office (depending on the manager, of course).

My work place covers everything from t-shirt/jeans through dress shirt + tie. Woman usually go with dress slacks and a button up shirt as the average outfit (and the occasional knee-or-lower skirt). Blouses and button shirts should both work fine, especially if accentuated with a blazer. Worst case, go full out dressed up for the first day or two so you can scope the place out; it won't be considered odd for a new employee to do so in most professional businesses (and even if it is odd, you'll realize that it is so real fast and know what to go with the next day). Hell, go to work in a suit-level outfit for the first day even if you do know the exact dress code - can't hurt!

In really strict places, managers will send you home to change if you don't wear what you should.

Figgy

exmello wrote: »

Chanus wrote: »

If you have an excuse to go there, just look around and see what everyone else is wearing.

I think the general rule of thumb is at least one step above what you would wear for your position.

That rule of thumb is regarding what to wear to an interview. You don't want to overdress when you've been hired and you're showing up to work every day.

Either call the HR department and ask about a dress code or stop by and look at what others are wearing.

Lerage

Excellent, thanks for all the great advice H/A!

I think I've got enough variety to survive my first week at least, and go shopping the weekend after if everyone else is dressed a certain way.

To be on the safe side, I'll go in smart trousers I think - far more comfortable anyway!

exmello

Figgy wrote: »

exmello wrote: »

Chanus wrote: »

If you have an excuse to go there, just look around and see what everyone else is wearing.

I think the general rule of thumb is at least one step above what you would wear for your position.

That rule of thumb is regarding what to wear to an interview. You don't want to overdress when you've been hired and you're showing up to work every day.

Either call the HR department and ask about a dress code or stop by and look at what others are wearing.

Sorry, I thought this topic was for an interview. Still, I go by the rule to dress one level above your position at a job. I need to dress at least as well as my team lead if I ever want to be considered management material. Even if most of the guys around me wear shorts and flip flops to work, I still always at least wear a buttoned up collared shirt.