Building Site Fashion

Ciara22

Ok, so I'm starting my first proper grown up job on a building site as an engineer next week and I have no idea what to wear and still look remotely decent. I know that safety boots are definitely needed, but what else? Jeans? Hoodie? My God, Im going to look like a builder...any suggestions?

Oh, I'm a girl by the way.

Smellyirishman

Hipsters (is that what the kids call them these days?) but accented with a thong for that feminine touch. G'luck, watch out for the pencils.

Lord Nikon

A bit late to go shopping but...

Caterpillar desert boots, safety.
Combats would be a good choice.
Hoodie or a t-shirt
High viz jacket.

try and get them a little dirty before you start work, you'll fit in perfect.

Gran Hermano

Safety boots as you mentioned, jeans a couple of sizes too big for
maximum bum cleavage exposure. White t-shirt covered in stains from
oil, muck and ketchup from your breakfast roll. Top it off with a yellow
hard-hat and colour coordinated high-vis vest and you should be all set.
As an optional extra you could swap the handbag for a tool belt with
pockets suitable for mobile phone, lip-gloss and the compulsory 20 Major
and matches. If the weather changes for the better and the sun manages
to break cover you can always ditch the off-white Tee and just wear
the high-vis vest on it's own.

Del2005

Once you have the safety boots, high viz and helmet then whatever you are comfortable in. Don't forget to layer clothing and have waterproof gear. It's not a fashion show on a site.

Lord Nikon

There will be lots of blokes on the site, and you'll be the minority. You don't want to attract unwanted attention with a thong now. You there to work.

Ciara22

hmmm, safety boots in a size 5 are not that easy to find!

NeMiSiS

Make sure and get boots with steel toe caps.
TK

Caliden

Speaking from experience on site you should really get a really comfortable pair of safety boots. I've got a pair of these or similar and with thick wooly socks you won't end up with blisters on your feet (which I learned the hard way)

http://www.davronline.co.uk/product/jcb-the-track-pro-safety-rigger-boots-brown

You might be given a high vis on site but if not, get a full jacket one that's relatively warm so you can have it for the weather. Have a normal high vis in the car so you have it if we ever get sunshine (hahaha).

A cheap pair of jeans and a cheap hoody+tshirts from penny's will do the job. No point wearing expensive clothes because they WILL get destroyed.
As disgusting as you may think it is, the jeans should do you a full week and a wash at the weekend (unless you've been pouring concrete or been doing something messy) and you should have 2 sets of hoodys for the entire week.

This is coming from a guy of course so if you want to fit in do that, otherwise wear a pink mini skirt and stilettos

ptashka

have been working on site for the last 2 summers as an engineer myself.
My observations: pair of jeans that are not too tight and have a lot of pockets, especially the sewed on the knees ones are very handy for keeping survey book, a pencil, couple of hilti nails and drawings. a t-shirt with proper sleeves. steel - toe safety boots are a LEGAL requirement. personally i like rigger boots as opposed to ordinary boots.a pair of wellies will do ya a world of good if you doing any kind of setting out during the earth works.

Also, it's an emploeyrs legal responsibility to provide you with all safety gear - eg safety boots, high viz, hard hat, on my site - gloves and protective glasses and wet gear.

It's a great job, enjoy the craic!!!