Building a work wardrobe that is professional and put together is important. It is a reflection of you and in times of promotion or interviewing to get a new job, a great wardrobe can give you the edge…
Yes you can spend lots of cash, BUT the good news is that you can have a stylish wardrobe without having to break the bank. The key is to create a base with key pieces that you can mix and match in a variety of ways.
This is done by starting with collecting the necessary basics: tops, pants, skirts, shoes, cardigans, etc. Once you have a solid base to work with, you can start adding pieces like jewelry (statement necklaces, earrings), accessories (scarves and fun socks for the guys), purses, and bags to add your own personal style to your outfits.
To help you get started, here are some suggestions of the top 10 pieces for women and men that you can use as a shopping guide while building a foundation for your work wardrobe.
Women:
A white button down shirt
Black slim ankle pants
Black pumps
Sheath dress (knee length)
A black or grey pencil skirt
A silk camisole
Wide leg trousers
A trenchcoat (in a neutral colour)
A black turtleneck
A classic structured bag
A trenchcoat for your work wardrobe
Men:
A few neutral colour dress shirts
Black/brown dress shoes
Charcoal slim fit pants
A dressy watch
Collared t-shirts or polos
Khaki pants
A trenchoat or peacoat
A few ties in seasonal colours
A crewneck sweater
Dark denim (perfect for casual Fridays)
For both men and women, however, there is another absolute staple that is worth investing in: a suit.
Other Considerations on Wardrobe for Everyone:
Always look at the garment tag for wash instructions and for the fiber content; natural fibers like wool and cotton will stand the test of time better than fabrics like polyester.
You should also check out the stitching, look at inside seams and make sure all the buttons are sewed on securely. You don’t want things falling apart after a few washes, as this will end up costing you more money in the long run!
Women/Men: Should I buy a Suit?
If you choose a classic, professional style (a tailored fit always looks great), with a seasonless colour (like black, navy, or grey), you’ll have pants and a blazer that can be mixed and matched with other items to create a number of looks.
Plus, you’ll also have a great suit for important meetings or events.
Figure Out Your Favourite Shopping Places:
When it comes to stretching the budget, it’s a good idea to sign up for email list of stores that you love. They will send you coupons and weekly deals, which can save you a ton of dough over the long haul. It’s also a good idea to avoid spending a lot trendier add-ons like jewelry; you can find fun and inexpensive pieces at larger retailers in your local mall, like H&M or Forever 21.
BOTTOM LINE: Start slow when building a new wardrobe, have some fun and remember…Rome wasn’t built in a day!
SOURCES: Workopolis.com
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