Smart casual???

frag420

Ok well I am starting in a new office soon. Total career change. I was told the office is smart casual. I have always either been smart( suit and tie at work) or casual ( jeans, and jacket when out) so have no idea about smart casual.

I am rather tall and broad so would anyone have any ideas or point me in the right direction as want to make a good first impression. Where would be the best menswear shops in Dublin? Please note I am also on a bit of a budget too!!

Cheers

frAg

MyKeyG

frag420 wrote: »

Ok well I am starting in a new office soon. Total career change. I was told the office is smart casual. I have always either been smart( suit and tie at work) or casual ( jeans, and jacket when out) so have no idea about smart casual.

I am rather tall and broad so would anyone have any ideas or point me in the right direction as want to make a good first impression. Where would be the best menswear shops in Dublin? Please note I am also on a bit of a budget too!!

Cheers

frAg

I was in a similar situation myself a few years ago. Moved from retail to office. Smart casual in my first office was slacks, shirt and shoes. Sometimes a suit but rarely if ever with a tie. It wouldn't hurt to wear a tie on your first day then get the lay of the land.

As for where to shop you could go anywhere from Pennys to M&S to the high street. The choice is yours. Bear in mind whatever you buy will get a lot of wear so might not be a bad idea to pay a little extra for the slacks. Shirts can be got anywhere cheap!

frag420

Cheers for the reply. I will have to keep a suit in the office for meetings as and when
they arise. Il have a look at the shops you mentioned.

I would be interested in hearing from any ladies here that work in a smart casual office to get your input and opinions too.

Cheers

frAg

frag420

anyone else got any input??

yeppydeppy

Anytime I've worked in an office that is smart / casual has generally meant casual but no runners or track suits or ripped clothes. Jeans and a plain polo shirt or ever plain t-shirt in summer.

Kadongy

Banana Republic, Gap and Marks and Spencers are good places to look.
I'm tall and broad and have worked in this environment and my work wardrobe consisted of long sleeved single colour shirts, khakis, sweatshirts/jumpers.

I got them: Gap and Banana Republic khakis, M&S and Banana Republic for shirts, M&S and various for shoes, various for sweaters/jumpers.

For material: cotton or linen for shirts and trousers. Wool or cashmere for sweaters/jumpers.

Coats and jackets can be harder. Barbour are worth looking at though their stuff varies a lot - they are downstairs in arnotts. Marks and Spencers also. I just wore a good quality raincoat some of the time (not just on rainy days), though I was in an IT role so maybe that gives a bit of licence in that regard :pac: Best to err on the side of formality with them maybe...remember people wearing very formal clothes and leather jackets or even hippie cardigan things in places I worked. Dunno - I guess the fact people wear them outside rather than in the office make it a bit of a blindspot. Dont wear leather or "cool" jackets because you'll look silly.

MyKeyG

Oh that's a good point actually. Make sure you have what I used to call the 'emergency jumper'. Nothing worse than getting up on a Monday morning after a few 'coca colas' with the gang and remember you don't have an ironed shirt ready. The jumper is a life saver! It'll be part of your hangover kit along with a can of Lynx and a piece of chewing gum:D