I have orientation/training the first two weeks before I actually go to the office where i"ll be working. The first day is at the administrative office, then they'll send us to the training facility for the rest of the time. The dress is "business casual" in general.

So what would you wear the first day? the training days?

I was thinking the first day I'd dress it up a little bit - but not a suit. Then for training comfortable business slacks or skirts and sweaters? Maybe wear a jacket and then drop it for the hours of sitting listening ?

your thoughts?

I think the ideas you posted are just fine. If in doubt - err on a conservative/business attire.

You will get a feel of the office "culture" within first few days, so you don't need to plan for many days in advance.

I think you're on track.

Skirts might be uncomfortable for training. A lot of training includes motivational/team activities that sometimes include sitting on the floor or crowding in a corner.

Layers are always good too b/c training rooms are temp controlled well and the hallways/bathrooms are usually in some generally unused space that don't get much heat. Carigan sweater might be more vesatile than a jacket/blazer.

NO DENIM.
that rules out any long denim skirts or jackets, no matter how stylish they may be.

I wokr for a very conservative company, down to limits on jewelry (one earring in each ear, one ring on each hand unless its a wedding set, etc)

slacks, long skirts, or at least covering your knees, sensible but decent shoes, and I would layer a cardigan over a shirt and a light coat over the cardigan.

I dont have any button up dress shirts so I wore a stretchy t shirt with one of those cardigans that only go halfway down my back (like sort of a half shirt but a sweater, they were popular a few months ago, got mine at Ross for $5), and kept cardigan on to cover up my tats....

make sure you are confortable in your clothes though, chances are you will be doing a lot of sitting and you dont want to be squished into pants that are too tight for sitting over 20 minutes..lol.

if you wear any, light to medium makeup and light to no perfume.

Here, (Wash. D.C./Balt. area) business casual means black slacks and a nice blouse/sweater, etc... I just posted on the main board, but Penney's is having a sale (at least here) on their black business pants (something like $10 per pair!). This is what every woman I see in the working world is wearing if she is in a casual environment.

Of course, you see people trying to push the limit, but overall there is a generally accepted dress code.

Once, I cleaned buildings for Wells Fargo and their dress code was posted. They were business casual. It was basically something like this:

1. No mini-skirts
2. No sleeveless shirts (although I think these are acceptable at some places)
3. No open-toed shoes
4. No sneakers
5. No bare legs (must wear pantyhose or something)

I know this is becoming a long reply, but I know when I recently got a "real job", I was concerned about what I was supposed to wear. Everyone just says "business casual". If one has been out of the workforce for awhile, I think the answer "business casual" is pretty vague.

I agree about the perfume. Either people like it or they hate it. It's better to not offend those who hate it.

And, yeah...no denim.