Looking professional and put together for work on a minimal budget - Page 2

[Herausgeber]

But then there's always the old addage that the people who really dress up every day are compensating for something else!

Yeah, but we're not talking "really dressing up" here, as in overdressing. We're talking about dressing in line with the norms of your profession. It sounds like jeans don't qualify in your office. I know they don't in mine, except on Fridays -- and even then, it's jeans with a nice shirt and a jacket/cardigan, good accessories, etc.

Dressing appropriately makes it easier for people to focus on the quality of your work. You're undermining yourself by dressing down everyday.

Since you don't have to "dress up" every day, I'd pass on the thrift store approach and systematically invest in high-quality professional clothes that fit the norms of full-time work in your office. Start with one neutral outfit -- dress pants, appropriate shirt, and a jacket or nice cardigan, and appropriate shoes and other accessories. You can catch good sales at department stores for this. I really doubt people will notice that you're basically wearing the same thing each week -- and if they do, it's still better than noticing that you're dressed too casually each week!

Meanwhile, during the rest of the week, ditch the jeans for decent khakis and modest skirts. Old Navy often has very good sales for these sort of pants.

[lolar2]

Today I stopped in at a local children's consignment store, and noticed they sold women's clothes-- not just maternity, either (although even that could be an option if all your gained weight is carried in your abdomen, I guess). If you can find such a thing in your area, you could try consigning any outgrown children's clothes/ books/ toys you have on hand, for store credit, and using the store credit for some clothes for yourself.

[That Is Nice]

Originally Posted by GuildJenn

I have a few thoughts too. Besides ask your similarly-sized friends!

One, pick your palette. I am a black/grey/white + accent colour girl, but I admire the brown/taupe/cream/white women too. The thing about this is once you pick, you only need black or brown shoes, which simplifies a lot.

Two, pick very classic, simple lines - fortunately these are in this season anyway.

Three, rather than throwing money around, throw your time: Try things on. Try a size up and a size down. Take your time to pick things that really flatter you and that you feel good in. I think sometimes when we're on a budget and rush around the clearance racks and "settle" for something a little off, we end up spending more or at least feeling poor.

I would get a sheath or wrap dress or similar (depending on your body type) for meetings, neutral if possible, with coordinating tights and shoes (in my palette). The advantages of the dress are:

- no matching piece (except sweater or blazer if you're cold; look for wrap sweaters or short cardingans at thrift stores), so as long as it's clean-enough and hanging up in your closet, it's ready to go.
- tights don't run like hose
- you'll probably remember to take it off when you get home
- it's easily dressed up or down

This is not the sheath shape but it's a good price from J. Crew: http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/Wome...~~~~/15340.jsp and I think this weekend they have an extra 20% off code.

For winter too I think a sweater dress is often good looking and sooooo comfy (it's like wearing a hug) but the downside is they can wear out. But because of that they're often on sale - Old Navy had a good set near me about two weeks ago.

Next, depending on your ironing skill set (I have none) I would take some time and hit the mall and look for either a) white tailored shirts (if you iron and like to) or b) knit, quality turtlenecks or, if you're further south, mock turtleneck short sleeve tops, black and grey if you're like me and a spill magnet if wearing white, or white and light grey if you're not. If you want to be trendy this year you can pick one up in plum too.

I have had good luck at thrift stores with the black/grey sweater in classic shapes (turtleneck, v-neck IF you have something to wear under or with it, mockneck, and rarely scoop neck). But I have had to pick through the "fuzzies" quite a bit. I have only rarely found white things that aren't stained.

These will up your jeans (jeans + turtleneck + boots = hot!!) and also go fine with dress pants.

Now... dressy pants. Really this is the holy grail of the clearance rack hunt. I personally don't find Old Navy, etc., pants last well in terms of looking good but YMMV. Still I would look for crepe, wool-bland, or other "dressy" fabric dress pants (bonus if they are light enough to go 3 seasons). This is where I would throw most of my effort and money. One hint: Minimal or no pockets on the back is better for wear and on most women.

I'm Canadian so I don't have a Target but from what I hear I might start there for pants.

Really great ideas! Thanks!!

[Elecampane]

OP, you sound a lot like me. I live in jeans (the same two pairs) for work but have to dress up occasionally for meetings. It's a challenge for me and so stressful.

I have to say personally, I don't care for Old Navy's clothes. The pants especially do not fit me right in the hips. My favorite mall-type store (if money were no object, hee!) is Banana Republic. Sometimes you can get awesome deals on their clearance rack. Their pants are fabulous. Outlet malls are also an option, but I find them to be hit or miss as well.

I buy almost all of my clothes at Marshalls. It helps if you have a strategy when you go in. I have a short list of brands I will buy that I know are good quality and fit me well and I scan the racks for the tags. That makes it easier for me to isolate things I would consider. I also focus mainly on the clearance racks.

I agree that having nice makeup and pretty hair does wonders, as well. So do cute, nice shoes and a fashionable bag.

[siobhang]

Originally Posted by That Is Nice

Part of it is that I just can't (and don't want to) put priority on clothing...so many other things need the money. But sometimes image does play a role at work, unfortunately.

Please invest in yourself by getting a wardrobe that speaks to the quality of your work and professionalism. Image plays a tremendous role at work - anywhere, really - and when you don't "look the part" people notice. You don't want to distract your colleagues and your clients with your wardrobe- and you don't want to be distracted by it either - by thinking "did this work, am I dressed enough," etc etc etc.

Clothing is part of the "cost of doing business" in having a professional job.

That said, many women on this thread have given excellent advice on how to get a solid professional wardrobe without huge cost.

My recommendations are:

1. shop your closet. Pick out every professional item that fits okay or well. I get away with pants that are a touch too tight at the waist by wearing longer shirts - as long as they fit okay in the leg and are not worn down. But I put them in the "marginal" pile - and if I haven't lost the weight in a year, they leave my closet.

Everything that doesn't fit or is shabby, either put away or give away.

2. Make outfits from what you have. If you need to write them down, or photograph the outfits, that might help.

You need a minimum of one week of outfits without (major) repeats - that way if you have a week of meetings with the same people, you are not scrambling.

3. Find and fill holes. A black skirt, black pair of trousers, simple dress, etc. can be repeated with different tops/accessories without seeming to be repeated. Invest in high quality so that they last FOREVER. I shop outlets about once a year when they have their sales and look for good deals of lined trousers and skirts and jackets.

4. Focus "fashion" to tops and accessories such as belts, jewelry, bags and shoes. A black jacket and trousers are transformed based on the shirt, shoes, and jewelry worn with it. Accessories really finish an outfit. And you can ask your friends to give you accessories as gifts for birthday/holidays.

5. upgrade your casual wear. Jeans are okay, but khakis, dress down docker pants, or simple skirts may a casual outfit more interesting and less frumpy.

6. invest in some good basic makeup (if you don't already wear it). just some lipstick and mascara make you look "done" - like you have put the effort in. I hate wearing makeup so it is something I struggle with. I do know that there is a certain expectation that women will wear makeup and if they aren't wearing it, they are seen as not really trying.

Just some thoughts.

Siobhan

[rosie29]

Great thread!

[catscharm74]

I just wanted to echo the great advice given here. Invest, even if one piece at a time, in a good quality wardrobe. I buy all my suits and pieces at Macy's- with coupons, secret sales, discounts, etc...I can find several items each year that go with what I already have. Do not under estimate the power of a well fitted outfit- suit or otherwise. If your tops are a little tight right now, add a camisole or tank.

I stick to black, white, grey, pink and turquoise for my wardrobe. I look for interesting pieces with some sass to them but wouldn't be distracting. I alwasy reference J. Crew and Ann Taylor Loft to get outfit ideas. I would invest in a great pair of black boots for winter--not something with a chunky heal... a little more slim lined and if you are not into the pointy toe thing, they have nice slim square toed ones.

I also look for pieces with a bit of stretch--for thos blah days--bloating, I ate the whole cake or I just want to be REALLY comfortable days. :

Once you get a basic wardrobe going, it is easy to add to. Remember- fit is key. Good luck!!!

[That Is Nice]

Thanks.

[ZoeyZoo]

One thing I did when I had my baby was to buy a lot of skirts. They actually looked better on me than pants. Pant either gave me a muffin top or a baggy butt. Skirts hid a lot of that because I can position them under or over the belly. I also like skirts because if/when I lose weight I can alter them easily. I lost about 50 lbs of baby weight and was able to alter all my skirts down for $30.