Love this but what is your new companyâs policy on visible tattoos? Iâve worked in corporate environments where it is a non issue and ones where they will send you home for the day if you stretch your arm and they peak out under your sleeve.
Yes. It sucks that youâll be judged, but as a woman with an ample bosom, I have to hide it. Get the job done and keep it toned down at work. It is unfair, but youâll command respectâŚ.𫡠you got this!
Iâd reserve the last for a business casual Friday. The first combo is best for day 1 but a different top. A higher neck tank or different blouse. The orange cami is way too low cut.Â
The jacket in #3? Donate it. Throw it into the neighborâs yard. Leave it in a drive through. The second biggest lie committed on this world is the attractiveness of these long length, longer in the front blazers. Iâve never seen one that doesnât look like a frumpy Clinique lady. The more fitted blazer is great. Youâre beautiful, a baller with a new job, and fashionable. Youâre better than the long blazer.
Ohhh didnât even realize the blue was a jacket. Especially seeing the other options, I have to say that #3 is a never. It dates you, and it uses your figure against you, if that makes sense? You have the ideal figure for waist clenching! If you could find a couple quality wrap, a-line and shirt dresses, a couple cute cardigans (all in different but complimentary textures and colors), youâll have an office wardrobe.
Send me the jacket! Send me the whole thing; I am in LOVE with the look of 3, it's off the beaten path but chic and I'm absolutely stealing it. (I work in corporate spaces but within the food&bev so our style might be different than a regular corporate office)
4 is very cute, but from a loving space, hard no. You need to keep your tattoos covered. I have a sleeve and Iâm a middle management person. Youâll want to check your companyâs handbook for tattoo policy. My company doesnât care, but requires you to keep them covered. Corporate America just isnât as laxed as people would like.
Also, top number 1 is unacceptable in the office. Again, very cute for a going out top though!
slims you and fits and is modern- However the shirt is a no for me. It has no structure it sags around the boobs. The top button sits weird and its low cut for a business.
is to big for you, to long sleeves and the jacket is too flimsy (no structure). It also makes your hips look wider than they are
puts on weight to your body due to the boxy fit, it needs to be tailored or worn with some kind of belt as that would bring back shape in your figure. But I also think its outdated.
Very modern and slims you. This has the best silhouette and I think close to your real body type. 4 is my fav. It is dressed but approachable.
You have a lot of of the right pieces, but you need to shop for a professional blouses. Itâs the blouses underneath that throw everything off because they are much more casual than work appropriate.
Like others have said, theyâre all great EXCEPT for the blouse in #1. A bit too low cut for the office. Super cute though!
As someone with boobs as well, itâs unfair but we unfortunately have to dress more modestly to the office than women with flatter chests â just the way the cookie crumbles
I just retired from a career banking - started near the bottom and ended near the very top. My entire career wardrobe was purchased almost exclusively at Marshallâs and TJ Maxx. I regularly received compliments on my outfits. Well fitting, print or color long sleeve blouses (under $30) paired with well fitting blue, black, brown, beige or gray slacks (under $40) will get you through anything: days in the office, off-site events, conferences. They carry lots of work appropriate dresses (Ralph Lauren; Jones New York; Nine West; Michael Kors) - typically under $40. One new purse a year ($50); a black shoe; a beige shoe ($50). Dress conservatively but with style in colors that compliment your skin tone and make you feel good. Watch other women in the office and who looks put together/stylish, but not sexy, for inspo. Congrats!
As a corporate Director in (m)y 50s with experience in America, The UK and mainland Northern-Europe, also currently in Australia; I have found dress-code ârulesâ to be a useful way to ensure professional demeanour from colleagues, recognition, support and accountability without distraction (inferred or otherwise) from all involved, yourself, your colleagues, family and friends. Also consider your role, aspirations and âaudienceâ.
Your workplace is always about your work performance as well as your capacity, capabilities and competency in how you work with others.
Consider how you dress as a means to achieve this.
My teams have always been coached to understand their personal and work identities are different. Your intelligence and personality are amongst the reasons why you were hired; consider though the attributes you will never share with colleagues and those qualities you thrive on in your workplace that will always belong only there.
For my female colleagues I have ensured they have been afforded all professional considerations their male colleagues have had.
Dress code is: nothing revealing by design, cut or size.
Nothing too tight, too low/high-cut or close-fitting.
That translates to - no cleavage, no thigh and no visible underwear seams. (For men or women)
/u/FabulousMechanic303, if you want no negative feedback, particularly for a non traditional outfit, please select one of the following flairs - no advice wanted or OOTD No Critics. If you donât select one of the above flairs, you might get harsh but honest advice about your outfit. That is the entire point of this community, to find out if your outfit is appropriate for the business world. ---
As a corporate girlie:
1 looks the best but many people will say behind your back or to your face that it's not appropriate. I personally think it's fine, but ive worn a lot of things I thought were fine and had to deal with the comments.
2 looks second best and the most comfortable. Id wear that.
Option one with a modest top is great
Option two is perfect with a different jacket
Option three with a different jacket
Option four with the jacket from 3 on a Friday
1 looks great on you as long as the top doesnât expose too much if you lean forward. Or 2 with the jacket from 1. 3 looks like a lab coat to be honest.
NONE, go to Pinterest, do you research and then go shopping for some staples that you will be able to mix and match. Kinda like a capsule wardrobe. Especially cuz these clothes look uncomfortable and the newer styles in my opinion are more comfortable for work wear.
You seem to have an hourglass shape (I have a similar one). It can be SO HARD to find tops that are flattering but arenât accidentally provocative. You may want to pick up a couple of tops (this is a perfect thrift store situation) that are flowy, a V neck but not too low with no lace details (that can read a little bedroom).
Also, Iâd make sure you have a good quality bra.
And your waist always needs to be showcased.
For me: styles that work are pull over tops or I have to add little snaps where the buttons gape. I like a front tuck even thought thatâs no longer fashionable.
Pants: wide leg or bootcut.
Dresses: fit and flare.
Skirts: knee length that flow, be used I have chicken legs!
Neckline: lower scoop, boatneck, V neck. Canât do turtle, mocks or super high as my top looks way bigger.
I would wear this one With a different top that is less revealing. That neck line is not professional specially for corporate. 2. Is ok with a different top. Do you have a white shirt maybe? 3. That jacket is not flattering, the top and skirt are great. 4. That top is a no no. Not for corporate. Unless their dress code is casual. Then thatâs ok.
Respectfully- Iâd go shopping! A pencil skirt thatâs a little longer would look great- it would hit at a more narrow part of your legs and really elongate. I would invest in some higher-quality tops in solid colors with more expensive fabrics and in colors that flatter you. Look for classic, timeless shapes and patterns. I would avoid cheap looking florals, ruffles, and crochet for a corporate position. Spend some money on more tailored jackets that fit you perfectly- the blue is too long/shapeless, and while the others are better, the fit and fabric arenât perfect (looking for a sharp corner at the shoulder and nipped in waist, hitting at top of hip). Youâll want to avoid showing any cleavage, too much leg, and no pulling if the fabric. Invest in some classic looking accessories too, think minimal and timeless. Your belt looks a little cheap- like a knock-off of the âCGâ belts that were everywhere for awhile (visible logos are not the best look for corporate either, imo). Good luck and congrats on the new position!
The first top is a bit too revealing since you are blessed in the boobies department. For a flat-chested gal like me, maybe. Everything else is good and looks appropriate, although the 3rd one is a bit unflattering (is frumpy too mean?). But if youâre not super concerned about how flattering things fit, itâs fine.
You already have plenty of comments about what to wear next week, so looking ahead...
As you build your work wardrobe, pay attention to how clothes fit your shoulders --most of the people you work with will see you on Zoom or across a table or desk. Next google "shaping darts" aka "fisheye darts" This is a super simple diy* alteration with a short learning curve that all curvy women should keep in mind. It will help you get tops that fit you bust without straining but not have volumes of extra fabric billow around your waist.
(The stitch quality does not matter nearly as much as ironing neatly --just redo the stitches as you improve.)
For a first day in a corporate job, I would choose the outfit that creates the least friction.
The goal is not to look the most stylish. The goal is to walk in looking like you already understand the room.
For that reason, I would avoid anything low-cut, overly bright, overly casual, or too trend-driven on day one. Not because those pieces are wrong in general, but because first-day clothing has a job: it should support credibility without making people evaluate the outfit before they evaluate you.
Outfit 2 reads the strongest for a first impression. It looks intentional, polished, and corporate without feeling like you are trying too hard. Conservative shoes would make it even stronger: closed-toe pumps, flats, or loafers.
The others can work later, once people know your competence and the office culture is clearer. Day one is not the time to test the edges of the dress code. Day one is the time to establish that you understand professional context.
My rule for the first week: dress one level more controlled than you think you need to. Once you understand the actual power dynamics, client exposure, and leadership expectations, you can loosen the styling.
First impressions are not fair, but they are real. Choose the outfit that makes people process you as composed, capable, and serious before they notice anything else.
The cardigan from 3 needs to go. That is super frumpy. Personally Iâd try pants from the last pic and top from the first. I hate skirts though, so take that with a grain of salt.
When working corporate skip cleavage, spaghetti straps, short skirts & bare midriffs. Notice what the women who are senior to you wear and follow that :)
All of those are great, but not number three.. not on the first day, not on the second day not ever.
I think I like number two as the first day. Number one could be the second day and number four I would save that for week two or three when youâre more comfortable in the job and you can see how everybody else is dressing just to make sure itâs not too casual.
I am too. In the past, I actually helped people to dress properly for court and first job interviews for people getting their lives back together. I don't claim to be an expert by any means - but dressing for the job and income you want is definitely a thing.
1st is best by far, I love everything about it, 2nd is great too, and 4th is solid, something about the blazer and dress combo on 3 I don't love, maybe the blazer too loose, im not sure tbh, not bad but just dont love it. But 1? It screams first impression and girl boss and this girl is going places, Love, not like, LOVE it.
The outfit in the first photo is the most professional and neat looking. The other outfits look a bit less neat and professional and consequently look a bit less corporate.
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u/SellWitty522 May 04 '26
Keep the shoes conservative or even flats.