What to wear on the first day of your new job?

Congratulations, you did it! You aced the interview and landed the job you wanted. However, the real test begins now. 

Before you display your wide-ranging capabilities, you need to make another great first impression on your first day at work.

People will be judging you, and it only takes a mere couple of seconds to make an impression. Your clothes and accessories play a key role, so your sartorial selection is of utmost importance. 

Dress codes are pesky little rules that we have to follow, but we don’t have to keep everything simple, boring and one dimensional.

We’d suggest that you go for an outfit that embodies all the classic elements but with an on-trend twist that will add just enough charm. 

To help you start things off on the right foot, we’ve put together two outfit ideas that for your consideration. Good luck! May your first day of work be a fashion success.

For a corporate dress code:

(L-R) Pleated cotton poplin shirt, $753 by CO from Net-A-Porter; Epi leather Cluny bag, $4,500 by Louis Vuitton; Faux leather heels, $39.90 by Zara; Polyester midi skirt, $89 by Topshop

A crisp white cotton blouse has always been a workwear mainstay, so we picked a blouse in that material with on-trend elements like the fluted bell cuffs and pintucks through the bodice. 

For the bottom, a figure-skimming bottom would work best as it balances out the more dramatic silhouette of the blouse. Black might be the choice of colour for most of us, but if you are game enough, opt for a patterned bottom to make the look a little more interesting. 

Towering stilettos are probably not the best option for your first day because you don’t know how much you might have to move around. It’s wiser to sport classic pumps with a low block or kitten heel as they ensure the maximum comfort but still give you the little height boost. 

In terms of accessories, it’s best to keep it simple. You won’t want to fuss around with your clunky earrings or noisy statement-making bangles.

We picked out a pastel pink bag for the outfit instead of a serious black structured bag to make the entire ensemble look more inviting and refreshing. If you are not used to the pink hue, consider taupe or nude when you are selecting your handbag. 

For a business casual dress code:

(L-R) Cashmere turtleneck sweater, $129 by Uniqlo; Lambskin bag, $2,590 by Balenciaga; Polyester crepe pants, $505 by Zimmerman; Velvet and leather heels, $731 by Prada

Hurray, people who have business casual as their dress code can enjoy a little more freedom when it comes to dressing for work. 

There are many types of ensembles that are suitable for such a setting but generally speaking you want to err on the side of dressing slightly more formal on your first day than the current dress code at your workplace.

For those of you who are working in creative industries, you have the opportunity to be bold with loud colours, clashing prints and textiles.

For those in fashion, you might want to select a specific trend that you like and play it up to show that you are on the pulse of things. For tech, go for more comfortable pieces as you might be quite desk bound. 

Try this look that fits within the bounds of a business casual dress code but add a statement focal point with your footwear.

Finish the look with a functional bag that can be carried by the top handles, on your shoulders or even slung across your body.