The mistake people make starting a job is buying a full work wardrobe before knowing the actual dress code. Buy a week, then observe.
Buy one week, then wait
Five workable outfits gets you through the first week. After that you will know what people actually wear.
Aim one notch above, briefly
Slightly smarter than the average is safe for a first week. Dressing down later is easy; dressing up after a bad first impression is harder.
The dress code is what colleagues wear
Not what the handbook says. Look at people one or two levels above you and match that.
A first-week list
A first-week list
- 2 pairs of trousers or skirts in one neutral
- 3 tops that work with both
- 1 blazer or smart layer
- 1 pair of comfortable smart shoes
- 1 coat that fits over the blazer
- 1 bag that holds a laptop
- One outfit slightly smarter, for unexpected meetings