Business Wardrobe

[raeoflyte]

Hello!

My boss is looking at moving us into a shared office space with some attorneys, so I am looking for what you would consider are the bare minimums for a true business wardrobe, and best places to get good deals.

I'm pretty much starting from scratch. Currently it is just he and I in the office, and I dress far too casual (although he doesn't seem to care). I gained a decent amount of weight after returning to work from maternity leave and have been really lazy about updating my wardrobe. I am losing now, so I don't want to spend much, and will plan on having the basics altered down along with me on the way.

TIA

[Honeylioness]

Tia,

Without knowing what line of work your boss is in, and just going from the comment about sharing office space I would count the list below as my basic business clothing:

* 3 skirts: knee length or a bit longer. A-line or other simple clean lined cut. Black, Navy, Khaki or Brown
* 2 pairs pants: Again, simple classic lines, not too tight. Black and another color you wear a lot like brown or dark green
* Blouses/shirts: at least three white button down shirts - like men's dress shirts. One black, a couple in other flattering colors.
* Cardigan: at least one, I would go for three in different colors to coordinate with your bottom pieces
* Suit Jacket or Blazer. I would recommend a black one to match a skirt and slacks. You can get the impression or look of a suit without the expense.
* A couple of nice solid colored tank tops to layer under the button down shirts
* One good pair black mid-heel pumps or loafers
* At least one other pair of dress loafers or pumps
* Scarves

With the basics above you can mix and match in a large variety of ways. Scarves can be draped, wrapped, rolled etc to provide a shot of color and style without the need for trendy separates that will look outdated in a year. You can also vary the look of your outfit with unique pins or brooches.

Some ideas for buying these items at less cost:

I buy a LOT of my button down shirts, jackets, scarves, brooches and other accessories at places like the Salvation Army or Goodwill stores. I regularly find near mint condition men's cotton or cotton blend dress shirts for under $4 each. Some even have French cuffs which I prefer as I have a nice collection of cuff links.

I am a plus sized woman and actually prefer men's shirts and jackets to womens. Mens are cut with more room in the torso and tend not to bind across the "girls" like most women's shirts do.

I have also been able to find simple basic cardigans there as well for under $10 each. This frees up the budget to let you invest in a good quality pair of basic pumps to wear almost every day to work.

I have also had good luck at Sears finding simple front button skirts in solid colors. They are a cotton blend and stand up well to repeated washings. The line name is Classic Element.


Hope this helps.

[sheilaincali]

How "business" do you want to go? Power suits or more casual than that? I would go with simple, clean lines and solid colors for your base pieces. Nice dress pants in a variety of colors-- khaki, navy blue, black, gray, etc. I am a fan of sweater sets. Keep you warm in the cold months and the layers can be adjusted easily for indoors.
This time of year the winter clothes start to go on clearance so you should be able to find some things at reasonable prices.

[mizbear]

Since you are in the process of losing weight- I would try to get pieces of good quality from consignments and Goodwill shops- believe it or not, you can find decent business wear in these places. If this doesn't pan out, try places like Kohl's, Marshall's and TJ Maxx. And look online for coupons. Also, see if any friends who are in the business field have things you can swap out for- maybe they need maternity clothes, etc.
I personally prefer separates, but I am 5'3" and am not a straight size top and bottom. I like sticking to basic colors for office work (partly because they are easier to replace and partly because it is more traditional). If you prefer skirts, then you will want more skirts in your arsenal, if you are a slacks person, more slacks. A good tailor can help with fit if you need alterations.
If you are one of these lucky people who can wear suits- find a couple of 3 piece sets with the slacks, jacket, and skirt if you will wear all 3 pieces in a basic color you like. Then buy a week's worth of blouses (make sure you have 2 of white or cream). Check your care labels in case the item is dry clean only (everything I buy is washable). I would also purchase a cardigan (button front) to keep at your desk, in a neutral. When buying blouses, buy colors that you like that will coordinate with both suits if at all possible to start. Mixing and matching will give you a ton of outfits.
Don't forget to look at your shoes and other accessories- do you have at least one pair of work appropriate earrings if your ears are pierced? Do you have office appropriate footwear (dressy laceups to go with slacks or flats or modest pumps)? Is your makeup and hair appropriate for the workplace?
Oh and check your foundations- make sure you have all the right "girl gear" to go with the new wardrobe.

I am going through the same thing right now- I am losing weight and will have to overhaul my wardobe to- I have totally loved being able to "work" in jeans and sneakers....

[singlemomky]

A lot also has to do with the attorneys you will be sharing the office space with - don't just assume that because they are attorneys they will be wearing suits every day. I currently work for a fairly good sized practice and we have business casual where most of the staff wears the types of pieces already suggested - separates in basic colors with accessories & such to punch up the color.
My previous law firm was small, just 3 attorneys, and unless they had meetings or court you would see the attorneys in dockers/khakis & polos.
My overall advice is go with simple basics esp. at first and then investigate the situation/atmosphere once you have settled in to the new office and adjust accordingly.

[raeoflyte]

Thanks ladies! This is perfect. Honeylioness--I love your list! I had something similar in highschool when I started hostessing. I think I only had 3 main pieces (2 slacks, 1 skirt, and 3 tops), but I was complimented on my wardrobe and one woman commented how I never seemed to wear the same thing...

I'm going to go to the new office later this afternoon so I'll be able to get at least some idea of dresscode. My boss wears a suit 80% of the time, and we work in the 'fancy' district of town. I've been telling dh that I'm sick of looking like I work in my basement. I don't want to completely sell out my 'soft butch' look as I like to think of it, but surely I can incorporate my personality into a dressier atmosphere.

I'm thinking that even if the attorneys and my boss are in suits, the office staff will hopefully be a little more casual.

[sheilaincali]

Can you do a drive by around lunch time maybe and see how the people coming and going from the new office area are dressed? This may give you a better idea of your "target" wardrobe.

ETA: Nevermind we posted at the same time

[Honeylioness]

raeoflyte ... you are quite welcome .. *laughing* .... as sheila, mizbear and single can tell you (since we usually all hang out together on the NS/CS thread) ... I am the Queen Of Lists !!!

:-)

[sheilaincali]

Honey really is the Queen of Lists. She has lists for everything. Moving, transferring to a new bank, wardrobes, to do lists for vacations, etc. She rocks

[raeoflyte]

Sheila--I actually like that idea too. I think I'll try to do that on a Monday in addition to today so I can see if there is a difference early in the week.

[shanendoah]

I also like Honey's list. I'm a slacks girl, though, so I actually have 3 pairs of slacks (black, gray, brown) and 2 skirts (black and gray). I have 2 blazers (black and gray). I get a lot of my color from camisoles that can be worn under the jackets (and don't need ironing - I am terrible at ironing). I like sweater sets for the same reason.
Someone else mentioned foundation garments - get yourself a little padding so that it doesn't matter how cold you are and its a day you're not wearing a blazer. Also make sure the neck line on your clothing is appropriate.
As a plus sized woman, I often have problems with necklines that might be appropriate for women with smaller chests, but not for me (or they work with one bra but not another). So that's my other big use of camis- I wear them under tops to make sure no cleavage ever shows. I mostly have black, cream, and white, but I also have various shades of red and blue, as well as dark green and a purple cami.
As for shoes, I have a pair of ballet flats to wear with skirts and a pair of Dansko "clogs" to wear with slacks. (I have bad arches and the Danskos are life savers).

[mizbear]

Honey's lists are lifesavers!!
raeoflyte- You can still keep your personality- you mentioned the term "soft butch"- with ladies dress trousers (they make nice ones for office wear), button down blouses and blazers. If the dress code permits, you could wear ladies shirttail dress shirts (made to wear untucked) or a stylish vest. Also, if you are wearing something with belt loops- wear a belt.
I am more of a skirts girl myself, but being 5'3", I find them easier to have surgery done to. I am a jeans person and dress slacks don't fit like jeans.

[raeoflyte]

We went to the office today and it was very casual. The office manager and 2 paralegals that were in wore jeans, as was one of the attorneys. The other attorney was more business casual. Of course today is Friday, so Monday might be a little different, but honestly I don't think so. At least not full business dress like I was concerned about.

A friend of mine gave me a bunch of clothes that don't fit her anymore including lots of knee length skirts. I bought a pair of tall black boots yesterday with gc money so I can hack business casual now with what's in my closet. It's a good opportunity though to start dressing like a professional, so that will be my goal. Super glad I don't have to raid savings for wardrobe money though!!!

[mizbear]

Gotta love dress boots! And great friends!

[998fbird]

Don't forget to check out the clearance racks. According to the TV commercials Macy's seems to be having a sale every weekend right now. I would also suggest looking for basic dresses you can dress up with jackets, cardigans, and accessories like jewelry. I am a 'tweener LOL, I'm between misses sizes or womens sizes and I find dresses much more comfortable than skirts. I also like tights better than panty hose. Also check out catalogs. Good luck!

[dividend]

One thing I've done that's helped a lot has been to limit my color palette. My base neutrals are grey and black, and my accent color is purple. Everything matches, or at least coordinates. I have black and grey pants, skirts, dress shoes, and boots. And then tops and camisoles in purples, and sweaters/cardigans all 3 colors, and then a few standard tailored white button downs that go with/under/over everything. All of my jewelry is silver except for some heirlooms from my grandmother, with pops of color from interesting green (opals look great with purple), and red (really punches up grey/black). Then when I'm looking to add a piece, it's easy to tell if it'll go with stuff I have. So I just mix and match every day and it's wonderful and easy. Having stuff in different weights that can be layered is awesome, because then you can wear stuff year round, and the transitions are easy.

[kdamron]

I'm Controller for a mid sized attorney in a fairly dressy part of town. My staples are good dressy slacks (love Express and Anne Taylor Loft), two or three a-line skirts, several sweater sets, 4-5 short sleeved button down's (Old Navy has them at a great price) and 2-3 blazers for dressier. I have a couple 'suits' too, but only wear them when I feel super dressy.

I dress dressier than the secretaries who are much more business casual. I like to look 'polished' if that makes sense. Good basics dressed up with nice jewelry, hair well done and nice makeup. Oh, and shoes. Good shoes make a huge difference. I have 3-4 pairs of dress boots and love them!

I hope you like the new digs.

[kgb18]

I've gotten a lot of my business wear at JC Penny's. They'll often have sales with Buy One, Get One at 50% off, or sometimes even Buy One, Get one for 1 cent! I also look for clearance sales. I got a pair of $60 pants at Anne Taylor for $5 during a going out of business sale at one of their locations. Outlet shopping can also be great. There was a black pencil skirt I was eying up in J.Crew. It was $88. I found it at the J.Crew outlet, and it was on clearance there at the end of that season for $6! Things like that take awhile to find, but it's a great way to boost your beginning wardrobe when you find steals like that.

[reeneejune]

raeoflyte - I'm not sure how old you are, I'm 26 and a plus sized girl too. If you're careful about what you pick, Torrid has some great things that are trendy and more young looking. I usually get a few pieces there and then mix them with basics like the others have suggested to give myself a younger look that's still professional. Much of their clothes are casual, but if you pick say a cute blouse then pair it with nice slacks and a structured jacket, it can work. Good luck!

[car-chick]

I really like Dividends ideas. Don't try to get too many different colored things. If you limit your colors you will find it a lot easier to figure out what to wear each morning!!!!!!!

[Deleted]

I keep all my bottoms neutral and then I can have fun with the tops, shoes and jewellery. Nothing takes you up a notch to business wear like a black pencil skirt and black heels.

[newmummy]

Thank you ladies, this is just what I needed, I have to budget for buying some clothes to actually get job interviews in. I am teaching music at a preschool part time right now and so could get away with looking like a mom going to the grocery store, but that's about to end and so my next check is likely going to have to go to buying an interview/daily work outfit. My mom and I wear the same size right now so I can borrow a few of these things from her if we are good about keeping laundry done up.