The suit, shirt and shoes you need to set the sartorial standard for your first days in a fresh office environment.

Congratulations. You got a new job. You’ve raised one too many glasses “to the future” and shredded your old business cards in a spectacularly theatrical fashion, so the world knows that this is a new era, and you’re officially a New You. But while you evidently dressed to impress for your interview, you now have every other working day for the foreseeable future to consider, and first-day outfits in particular are difficult to get right. If you’re heading up to the 107th floor of a Proper City Firm, this guide probably isn’t for you – memorise your new dress code and follow it to the letter. For everyone else, office workwear rules in 2016 are generally a bit more relaxed than back in the day (navy, instead of black suits are more common – if a suit is required at all – and many a sockless foot can be seen in smart shoes during the warmer months). But in our opinion, a successful first-impression outfit is all about balance. Scroll down to get it right.

It goes without saying that a pair of jeans and a T-shirt are not suitable for most normal offices, so you should probably wear a suit until you have assessed your environment. As previously mentioned, however, standard black tailoring can look too business-y, and won’t send out that thoughtful and creative vibe so cherished in the modern workplace. Opt instead for a navy suit jacket, and always buy the accompanying trousers. There’s the option to mix and match at a later date, when you have a little more time on your hands, but it is exceptionally difficult to pair a suit jacket from one brand with suitable trousers from another if you’re trying to find similar fabrics and colour tones. This wool and mohair blend suit from Boglioli is suitably sleek – the unstructured style of the blazer will ensure you don’t look too stiff, and the unfinished hems mean you can tailor the trousers for the perfect fit.

A nice blue suit requires a nice white shirt, and a classic button-down Oxford is a timeless, fail-safe choice. Try this one from minimalist Parisian brand Ami. Ties are no longer a necessity of any contemporary professional establishment, so don’t even consider wearing one on an average working day unless you really, really have to. And if you find yourself a bit over-dressed, pare it all back a little by swapping the blazer with a cosy jersey sweatshirt. The above piece from Thom Browne comes with the brand’s signature stripe motif and tricolour grosgrain across the placket – just enough flair to distinguish you as a gentleman in-the-know.

A briefcase, while a sophisticated and often very handy companion, might make you seem a bit severe on this occasion (unless you’re an incumbent CEO, in which case – you know what to do). So opt instead for a practical tote, like this deep-blue example from Maison Margiela, which comes in a pleasingly soft and lightweight leather. The only other thing needed to complete your look is a smart pair of shoes. If you’ve consulted our guide to matching your suit to your footwear, you’ll know the sensible colour to accompany a navy suit is dark brown. So slip on these chocolate-coloured McCaffrey Derbies (with a nice pair of socks, mind – test out the waters before baring those ankles) and put your best foot forward.