Creating a Professional Wardrobe on a Budget
Here’s some quick, budget style tips for those of us, whether it by choice or by force, currently out there interviewing for a new job.
-Some of the key clothing pieces for a professional wardrobe are a black suit, black pumps, tote bag, a couple of camisoles/ blouses, a nice black or brown pencil skirt, and two very nice dresses (one a little black dress and one dress in another color) that you can wear to business related evening events. There’s a reason why I believe you should purchase items in black and brown—you can wear these items several times a week, making sure to change up the accessories/ tops, without anyone noticing that you’re wearing the same item over and over.
- Your job hunting wardrobe isn’t the time to start to express yourself through clothes, although I do think you should wear an interesting (but not gaudy or trendy) accessory near your face to draw the employers attention to what you’re saying. For the most part, start with the basics: a nice black suit, a pair of closed toed black pumps, and a basic camisole or shell. Yes, it’s boring, but when you’re job hunting you want folks to focus on your skills and not on your clothing.
- I don’t believe in setting percentages as to how much of your income you should spend on clothing because there are times when you may need to spend more and times when you shouldn’t spend a dime. Focus on items that can serve double duty, like a tote bag that can be your weekend shopping bag and your briefcase or a black dress that you can wear to the office and for an evening event.
-The goal is to buy the best quality items you can afford. However, realize that quality and price are not synonymous. You can get some great, high quality items, the same items you find at department stores, for much less at places like Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Ross. You want to use the 70/30 rule- meaning 70% of your closet should be classic pieces (your perfect ten) and 30% trendy fun pieces.
- Avoid dry cleaning. This is such a money zapper. I know dry cleaning is easier and few like to iron, however this is not the time to be lazy. Buy a bottle of Febreze or make your own, and squirt your suits down after each use.
| Posted by The Budget Fashionista
The Budget Fashionista's Weekly Retail Closing Report
Bad Joan: Save Big on Designers You Don't Know
Commenting Options
Enter your personal information to the left, or sign in with your Facebook account by clicking the button below.
Advertisement
Featured on TBF
Advertisement
Copyright 2003-2009 TBF Group, LLC.
Member Comments
I own a steamer and often use it to refresh dry clean items. Dryel and Dry Cleaner’s Secret are other options. Many dry clean only items can also be washed, but try this at your own risk. I once bought a BCBG button down shirt that was 100% cotton, but said dry clean only!? Use common sense if you’re going to wash a dry clean only item. I always turn them inside out and place them in sweater bags as an extra precaution.
Dry cleaning is harsh on clothing. You don’t have to dry clean a suit after every wear. If perspiration is a problem, there is a product called Certain Dri that will help stop excessive underarm sweating. :)
@rrochlis and @ellyabillion- Thanks for the dry cleaning tips… Dry cleaning is such a money zapper and is bad for the environment
Could you recommend some tote bags?
Further to the issue of quality; Consider signing up for the special “clubs” offered by some stores. I’ve had great luck with the “Loehmann’s Insider Club” ( http://www.loehmanns.com/Login.aspx ). Sure, you get nice discounts, but the real coup is getting a heads up on when you favorite designers will be appearing on the floor. You know how Marshall’s is really catch-as-catch-can, well this makes it so much easier at Loehmann’s. I get the alerts, and Iknow when to make time to be there.