New job!
It’s hard enough to start a job or internship without knowing how your boss will be like or who you’ll have lunch with on your first day. But the most nerve-wracking ordeal has to be choosing your work clothes.
Here, we talk to 10 different women (with very different jobs) so you can get a sneak peek on the fashion dress code in the work environment. Read on to see what style rules apply to your future field!
What to wear if you work in...Web design
“My go-to outfit is a pair of black trousers with a grey jumper and pumps. I tend to go for darker colours as I much prefer them to loud and bright tones, but that’s just my personality. In my field of work almost anything goes as you’re often sitting behind a computer -- I sometimes even wear jeans and my Converse shoes to the office! When meeting clients I’ll go a bit more formal and wear a dress or skirt with a blazer on top. I take advantage of client meetings to dress up (and impress my office crush!).”
What to wear if you work in...Marketing
“I work for a luxury fashion e-tailer, which means that I need to be fashion conscious at all times. My first-day option is an all-black streamlined outfit that’ll make you look chic until you suss out the dress code. This includes slim cigarette trousers, a cashmere jumper and heels… all black! Once you’ve seen what your co-workers wear, you can be less cautious. Now that it’s warm outside I’ll wear colourful summery dresses and wedges. It’s a fashion company where people are creative so anything goes. Some of the girls here wear jeans and trainers. As long as you’re not sloppy and look cool, you’re good to go!”
What to wear if you work for...Charity
“As the head of a charity organisation there's an expectation to look formal or “corporate” at all times. While this may be the case, I don't think that means you have to be boring. I love to inject colour and creativity in everything I wear and try to avoid wearing black, especially during the warm seasons. In the summer you can find me in bright coloured midi skirts or blazers teamed with a statement necklace or earrings. I think that my clothes are a reflection of my personality and as long my outfits are well put together, I can still look smart without wearing a boring suit.” Barbara, Chief Executive
What to wear if you work...Online
“When working for an online magazine you’ll find that having a personal style is celebrated and encouraged. At Q+A we're all obsessed with emerging and established designers. I’m 100% a dress girl: short, long, mid-length, if it's a dress I'll rock it. I think people would have a heart attack to see me in jeans at work! I am intrigued by designers with original artistic signatures, so often times I opt for designs by DVF, Guillaume Henry for Carven and Yoshiyuki Miyamae for Issey Miyake. I live for beautiful baubles and shoes. A few accessories faves include Kara Ross, Mawi Keivom, and Rem D Koolhaas for United Nude shoes. For me, getting dressed up every morning is certainly not a requirement, it's just who I am.”
What to wear if you work in...PR
“In PR no two days are the same. I always find myself in different situations and doing different things, all of which require me to look professional and smart at all times. So whether I am in the office, meeting with a client or running around town, I like to create a balanced look that’s smart, stylish and practical. If I wear a shift dress or a pencil skirt-and-blouse combo, I'll keep my accessories to a minimum and cover up with a cashmere cardigan. When I'm feeling more casual, I'll wear trousers with a blazer and carry a pair of heels in my bag to spice things up at any time. My ultimate fashion rule for working in PR? Always keep a pair of flats in your handbag, you’ll never know when you might need them!”
What to wear if you work in...Women's magazines
“For my first day at my new job I wore a lace embroidered dress and a leather jacket with a pair of black ankle boots (I really like Isabel Marants’). I always want to look fashionable yet feel comfortable, so I think a good pair of black trousers with a great tee is always a winning look. Pair them with studded loafers or ultra-chic trainers and you’re done. To spice up my outfits I love wearing statement necklaces and stacked bangles and bracelets in different colours. I am a sucker for arm candy… and I’m not talking about guys!”
What to wear if you work in...Fashion production
“The dress code here is definitely fashion all the way! But it should always be practical, as you never know what you may end up doing to ensure the show goes on. Black is always a safe bet and the shoes can be sky high as long as you can walk (and sometimes run) in them. I highly recommend opting for a “Mary Poppins” type bag as you tend to need everything but the kitchen sink for the events, shoots and shows!”
What to wear if you work as...A teacher
“I work in an art and design environment which I think is freer than some more conservative work contexts such as law or business. I aim for clothes that are practical and flattering, which is generally the same thing year on year. That often involves black and charcoal cashmere and wool in winter and white linen and cotton wide-legged trousers for summer. I love military style coats and I’m a fan of well-cut classics that provide a frame for one’s individual personality. My accessories are always the same: gold hoop earrings, a good watch and black leather gloves. I like clothes that work and that allow me to do the same...”
What to wear if you work in...A law firm
“You’ll usually find me wearing skinny black trousers and silk blouses with bow ties: they’re formal yet very feminine. On colder days I'll wear a colourful cashmere cardi or jumper. My job requires me to look serious at all times and even though most women here wear heels, I stick to ballet pumps (they don’t slow me down when I’m running around!). My favourites are from Tory Burch and Repetto. Leggings and denim are huge no-nos. A couple of weeks ago, one of the partners even sent out an enraged email to the entire firm after seeing an intern wearing black leggings!”
What to wear if you work in...Politics
“At the agency there isn’t a fixed dress code, but since we’re meeting clients on most days we can’t be as casual as we’d like. For non-client days I live in black denim and when I’m out on meetings I’ll opt for pencil skirts. I can mix and match most tops with these two bottoms and I always keep a sleek silhouette by adding high heels. I never take off my pearl earrings or my Buddha charm necklace that I bought on a trip to Thailand. Finally, blue jeans, t-shirts and super short bottoms should be left at the door!”
What to wear if you work in...Finance
“The women here typically stick to what is sensible and stylish. I generally wear suits or suit pieces and dresses as often as possible. I like to spice up my outfits with colourful cardigans, interesting necklaces and fun (but not too loud) shoes. In the summer it's easier as brighter colours are generally acceptable. Absolute no-nos include denim, sandals, super short skirts and low cut tops. If it looks good enough for a night club, it shouldn’t be worn to work!”
It’s hard enough to start a job or internship without knowing how your boss will be like or who you’ll have lunch with on your first day. But the most nerve-wracking ordeal has to be choosing your work clothes.
Here, we talk to 10 different women (with very different jobs) so you can get a sneak peek on the fashion dress code in the work environment. Read on to see what style rules apply to your future field!
“My go-to outfit is a pair of black trousers with a grey jumper and pumps. I tend to go for darker colours as I much prefer them to loud and bright tones, but that’s just my personality. In my field of work almost anything goes as you’re often sitting behind a computer -- I sometimes even wear jeans and my Converse shoes to the office! When meeting clients I’ll go a bit more formal and wear a dress or skirt with a blazer on top. I take advantage of client meetings to dress up (and impress my office crush!).”
What to wear if you work in...Marketing
“I work for a luxury fashion e-tailer, which means that I need to be fashion conscious at all times. My first-day option is an all-black streamlined outfit that’ll make you look chic until you suss out the dress code. This includes slim cigarette trousers, a cashmere jumper and heels… all black! Once you’ve seen what your co-workers wear, you can be less cautious. Now that it’s warm outside I’ll wear colourful summery dresses and wedges. It’s a fashion company where people are creative so anything goes. Some of the girls here wear jeans and trainers. As long as you’re not sloppy and look cool, you’re good to go!”
“As the head of a charity organisation there's an expectation to look formal or “corporate” at all times. While this may be the case, I don't think that means you have to be boring. I love to inject colour and creativity in everything I wear and try to avoid wearing black, especially during the warm seasons. In the summer you can find me in bright coloured midi skirts or blazers teamed with a statement necklace or earrings. I think that my clothes are a reflection of my personality and as long my outfits are well put together, I can still look smart without wearing a boring suit.” Barbara, Chief Executive
What to wear if you work...Online
“When working for an online magazine you’ll find that having a personal style is celebrated and encouraged. At Q+A we're all obsessed with emerging and established designers. I’m 100% a dress girl: short, long, mid-length, if it's a dress I'll rock it. I think people would have a heart attack to see me in jeans at work! I am intrigued by designers with original artistic signatures, so often times I opt for designs by DVF, Guillaume Henry for Carven and Yoshiyuki Miyamae for Issey Miyake. I live for beautiful baubles and shoes. A few accessories faves include Kara Ross, Mawi Keivom, and Rem D Koolhaas for United Nude shoes. For me, getting dressed up every morning is certainly not a requirement, it's just who I am.”
“In PR no two days are the same. I always find myself in different situations and doing different things, all of which require me to look professional and smart at all times. So whether I am in the office, meeting with a client or running around town, I like to create a balanced look that’s smart, stylish and practical. If I wear a shift dress or a pencil skirt-and-blouse combo, I'll keep my accessories to a minimum and cover up with a cashmere cardigan. When I'm feeling more casual, I'll wear trousers with a blazer and carry a pair of heels in my bag to spice things up at any time. My ultimate fashion rule for working in PR? Always keep a pair of flats in your handbag, you’ll never know when you might need them!”
What to wear if you work in...Women's magazines
“For my first day at my new job I wore a lace embroidered dress and a leather jacket with a pair of black ankle boots (I really like Isabel Marants’). I always want to look fashionable yet feel comfortable, so I think a good pair of black trousers with a great tee is always a winning look. Pair them with studded loafers or ultra-chic trainers and you’re done. To spice up my outfits I love wearing statement necklaces and stacked bangles and bracelets in different colours. I am a sucker for arm candy… and I’m not talking about guys!”
What to wear if you work in...Fashion production
“The dress code here is definitely fashion all the way! But it should always be practical, as you never know what you may end up doing to ensure the show goes on. Black is always a safe bet and the shoes can be sky high as long as you can walk (and sometimes run) in them. I highly recommend opting for a “Mary Poppins” type bag as you tend to need everything but the kitchen sink for the events, shoots and shows!”
“I work in an art and design environment which I think is freer than some more conservative work contexts such as law or business. I aim for clothes that are practical and flattering, which is generally the same thing year on year. That often involves black and charcoal cashmere and wool in winter and white linen and cotton wide-legged trousers for summer. I love military style coats and I’m a fan of well-cut classics that provide a frame for one’s individual personality. My accessories are always the same: gold hoop earrings, a good watch and black leather gloves. I like clothes that work and that allow me to do the same...”
What to wear if you work in...A law firm
“You’ll usually find me wearing skinny black trousers and silk blouses with bow ties: they’re formal yet very feminine. On colder days I'll wear a colourful cashmere cardi or jumper. My job requires me to look serious at all times and even though most women here wear heels, I stick to ballet pumps (they don’t slow me down when I’m running around!). My favourites are from Tory Burch and Repetto. Leggings and denim are huge no-nos. A couple of weeks ago, one of the partners even sent out an enraged email to the entire firm after seeing an intern wearing black leggings!”
What to wear if you work in...Politics
“At the agency there isn’t a fixed dress code, but since we’re meeting clients on most days we can’t be as casual as we’d like. For non-client days I live in black denim and when I’m out on meetings I’ll opt for pencil skirts. I can mix and match most tops with these two bottoms and I always keep a sleek silhouette by adding high heels. I never take off my pearl earrings or my Buddha charm necklace that I bought on a trip to Thailand. Finally, blue jeans, t-shirts and super short bottoms should be left at the door!”
What to wear if you work in...Finance
“The women here typically stick to what is sensible and stylish. I generally wear suits or suit pieces and dresses as often as possible. I like to spice up my outfits with colourful cardigans, interesting necklaces and fun (but not too loud) shoes. In the summer it's easier as brighter colours are generally acceptable. Absolute no-nos include denim, sandals, super short skirts and low cut tops. If it looks good enough for a night club, it shouldn’t be worn to work!”
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