What to wear for first day at work

convert

Given the current economic climate, I really consider myself exceptionally lucky to have managed to find a job in Ireland. However, I'm completely at a loss as to what to wear for my first day at work.

From what I can make out, the dress is smart casual - guys were wearing shirts (without ties) and trousers, while girls were in a bit of everything from floaty A-line skirts (sorry, don't know the proper name for 'summery' type skirts!) and jumpers, to pencil skirts and shirts, to knee-length black shorts and a smart top, with a long flowy cardiga, to trousers and a shirt/blouse. Those who were on the interview panel wore suits.

Any suggestions as to where on the 'dressy' scale I should aim for? I was thinking about a pair of trousers and a blouse? Or should I go for more dressy? Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

psycho-hope

convert wrote: »

Given the current economic climate, I really consider myself exceptionally lucky to have managed to find a job in Ireland. However, I'm completely at a loss as to what to wear for my first day at work.

From what I can make out, the dress is smart casual - guys were wearing shirts (without ties) and trousers, while girls were in a bit of everything from floaty A-line skirts (sorry, don't know the proper name for 'summery' type skirts!) and jumpers, to pencil skirts and shirts, to knee-length black shorts and a smart top, with a long flowy cardiga, to trousers and a shirt/blouse. Those who were on the interview panel wore suits.

Any suggestions as to where on the 'dressy' scale I should aim for? I was thinking about a pair of trousers and a blouse? Or should I go for more dressy? Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

i'd go a bit more dressy for the first few days anyway , untill you have an idea of what the other women on you team/in your section wear

rorymcgrory

3 piece suit on first day. Then remove the waistcoat on day 2. Jacket gone on day 3.

Week 2 Liverpool tracksuit

Larianne

Trousers and a shirt sounds fine.

Twee.

rorymcgrory wrote: »

3 piece suit on first day. Then remove the waistcoat on day 2. Jacket gone on day 3.

Week 2 Liverpool tracksuit

Helpful posting only please.

convert

I'd been thinking of going a bit more 'dressy', but was afraid that most of my more 'dressy' clothes were a bit too much. Would a work-type dress, such as those found in Next, Reiss, etc. be too much?

Valentina

Personally I love the work type dress. I would wear dresses to work quite lot because they are just so versatile. You can easily dress it up or down as you see fit. Next do a some lovely work appropriate shift dresses.
In my opinion, once it hits the knee and doesn't show too much cleavage it is okay! Pop a blazer or a cardi over it, some nice jewellery and heels or flats and it's perfect.

Scrappychimow

A pair of long johns tucked into beiges uggs.

Twee.

Scrappychimow wrote: »

A pair of long johns tucked into beiges uggs.

Can we please cut the crap like this? I already warned another poster in this thread for unhelpful posting.

This is not After Hours.

crystallove

maybe some professional ones...
after the first day, you can have a look at your colleagues，see what are they dressing and make a decision...

Little Acorn

Is it an office environment, and will you be meeting members of the public?
If you are, I would keep it fairly polished looking. I worked in an office environment before for a while, it has nothing to with my college course, just some work experience I got there for over a month, when I was unemployed and on a different short course.

Most of the women wore black trousers, and plain tops or ladies shirts/blouses. They all wore cardigans at lunch, and some of the older ladies wore ankle length skirts.
I wore pencil skirts (black/navy) with fitted ladies shirts or a blouse. Some days I wore black trousers instead. I started off wearing heels, but my feet killed me at the end end of each day, so I switched to plain flats. I bought some nice longish cardigans in navy and black and grey in penneys and dunnes and wore them if I was wearing trousers. Other times I wore fitted tailored jackets. Kept my hair very neat and tidy, and never wore jeans. Nobody raised an eyebrow so I think I fitted in ok with the environment.

I think those work dresses are lovely too. I don't think it would be too much at all. It sounds like a very mixed bag of fashion where you are going so I think a dress or trousers/skirt with blouse would both be equally nice.
I wouldn't be afraid of being too dressy as long as you still look smart and polished. I would have bought more nice smarter clothes myself if I had money at the time.

I have found a few outfits online that I think are smart/casual but less boring than your average officewear/workwear. As long as your company doesn't mind a little bit of colour, I would hope that they would be acceptable. Just a few ideas you might perhaps like:

http://a4.www1.birdsnest.com.au/system/images/0045/6215/Indian-Summer_brand_image.jpg?774984171652

http://a5.www1.birdsnest.com.au/system/images/0045/5375/Intrigue-Me_brand_image.jpg?774984171652

http://a1.www1.birdsnest.com.au/system/images/0044/8711/Misfit_brand_image.jpg?774984171652

http://a0.www1.birdsnest.com.au/system/images/0043/6209/Doctor_brand_image.jpg?774984171652

http://a3.www1.birdsnest.com.au/system/images/0043/2919/Shaken_Not_Stirred_brand_image.jpg?774984171652

http://a0.www1.birdsnest.com.au/system/images/0042/6045/Warm_Welcome_brand_image.jpg?774984171652

http://a0.www1.birdsnest.com.au/system/images/0042/0095/Little-Lady_brand_image.jpg?774984171652

http://a3.www1.birdsnest.com.au/system/images/0041/6525/Turquoise-Treasure_brand_image.jpg?774984171652

http://a1.www1.birdsnest.com.au/system/images/0024/2103/Wrap-around_brand_image.jpg?774984171652

http://a0.www1.birdsnest.com.au/system/images/0042/6045/Warm_Welcome_brand_image.jpg?774984171652

http://a5.www1.birdsnest.com.au/system/images/0041/6497/The-Black-List_brand_image.jpg?774984171652

Some of these would definitely be too bright or casual for some enviroments,and some of the outfits do not entirely work but bits of them could so you could pick and mix with ideas,- but as you said that some of the women were wearing summery skirts and even shorts, I would hope they are acceptable. As long as your hair is kept neat and tidy, and makeup is not over the top then they should still look professional.:)

Edited to add: As you are going to be nervous your first few days, I would just go with something that you have already observed is appropriate such as the black trousers and blouse, when you are there a week a two, you will have a better feel for the place and will feel more comfortable in choosing alternatives.

lainey316

I'd lean more to quite conservative/dressed up on day one - not quite a suit, but close, perhaps the dress and a jacket - just in case they decide to introduce you to all the managers etc as the new recruit; and then dial it down over the next couple of days.

In our office there is a wide variety of clothing choices, different departments wear different things, ours is more dressed up than the one across the corridor. But personally I think you can never go wrong with a dress. I own one pair of work trousers, and I only got them recently, I wear dresses 4 days a week. Not least because they are easiest rather than having to match top and trousers/skirt.

Congrats on getting the job & best of luck!

convert

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. It's much appreciated. And thanks Little Acorn for all those links - they've given me lots of new ideas and lots to think about!

Now all I need to do is go shopping and have a look for some nice work clothes! Any excuse for buying some nice new clothes!