Jazzing up work uniform

sarah42012

I work in general retail and there is no definite uniform, all we have to do is wear black clothes and skirts/shorts have to be knee length.

However I spend 30 hours plus dealing with the public and want to present myself as best as possible. I have started wearing makeup and doing my hair before work but my uniform consists of those naff plain black penneys slacks and a black polo neck.

I'm around 5"7 and 8 stone, slim build all round.

If anyone has any tips or ideas I'd love to hear them!

2rkehij30qtza5

Well you mentioned skirts/shorts so why are you not wearing them?
Start with skirts...maybe get a pleated knee length chiffon skirt and you could wear it with a plain black top?

What about black dresses? Even Dunnes and Penneys have nice black knee-length shift dresses.

Can you wear jewellery? You can jazz up an outfit with statement jewellery. New Look have sequin collars in black that you could pop over a plain long-sleeved t-shirt.

Penneys slacks don't have the nicest shape to them. How about buying a pair of cigarette pants in black? Are you allowed skinny black jeans? Or even bootcut jeans in black?

What about a tunic and black leggings?

Twee.

I have to wear all black as well. I have lots of waist belts, like black leather with studs, gold with nice clasp, to wear with plain black dresses, or tunics with leggings under.

With a black pencil skirt I sometimes wear a white shirt buttoned all the way up with a black round neck light knit sweater over it. I think it looks quite smart

I'm allowed to wear jeans if they're jet black and neat (not trailing behind!) so I'd wear the jeans, a black top/tee, maybe something with subtle lace detail, and a nice, well fitted blazer over it.

Zara is very good for fashion forward stuff that will be formal enough for work.

Shoes wise, I wear black knee high boots or brogues.

Your black polo neck would be lovely tucked into a pencil skirt or skinny leg black trousers, with a long chain necklace.