The Budget Fashionista

We talk a lot about “workwear”, as if this means the same thing to everyone. But if there’s one thing I know about TBF readers, it’s that we all come from all different walks of life. So, we’re curious, what’s your work style and why does it work for you?

Currently, I am unemployed/homemaker/stay-at-home-mom.  I tend to choose summer dresses, skirts with cute flats.  Housekeeping and children are better maintained with pulled together look.  I have worked in retail most my life, which allows for some freedom in clothing.  Skirts, light dresses, nice hair and funky-cute accessories were my style.  I like to to look pulled together in a cute-odd way.

I’m a stay-at-home mommy looking for a job. My previous workplaces had me in “business casual,” which is actually pretty easy for me because that’s how I like to dress normally. It’s basically skirts or dresses, either straight or A-line, with plain but pretty tops, low shoes, and earrings for drama. As a mommy, it’s not much different, except that denim is more common. Work or home, clothes have to be washable.

I guess I should add my two cents—I work at full time from home, and also substitute teach. At home, I still try to dress up a little—often jeans, a cute top, and heels (seriously), a jacket if it’s seasonable—because it puts me in a work mindset (though I must admit, in the summer, it’s frequently shorts and flip flops).

To teach, I also like to dress up, though some teachers just wear jeans and sneakers half the time. I feel, however, it’s important to project a certain image to the kids—so it’s usually a skirt or dress pants, a simple top, with a cardigan or jacket, and heels.

Angela, I hear that. I find that if I’m working from home, I can get into professional mode by wearing clothes that make me look professional, like a jacket.

I’m with you Machazait, the clothes have to be washable. I have settled on slim or boot-cut pants, all-season wool blend, with a couple of white shirts and knit tops. I do have a few jackets, which are my only dry-cleaned items. I use black, cream, taupe, and gray pants as my baseline for tops. Low heels work at work. I change it up with accessories. Paring down has made getting dressed a lot simpler. I have a couple of dresses and two skirts, if I feel the need to be a bit dressier.

Angela,  I agree with you whole heartedly about projecting an image for the children.  I work in a school as well and I have been looked down-upon by the other “teachers” for putting my best foot foward.  They too come in wearing jeans and tennis shoes, older than my grandmother. 
Yes, I wear dresses; yes, I wear reasonable high heels (not 4”); yes, I actually put on clothes that will get dirty but hello…. are washable.  My work style is the same as my everyday look.  Presentation is everything and how you feel about yourself inside.
And gosh-darn-it, I will stop wearing high heels to work when the boss makes EVERYONE else stop wearing frickin FLIP-FLOPS!!!!

Exactly Shoeshopping Goddess—flip flops—I love them but NOT for work! And I never understood why some people feel it’s okay to have an opinion about my dressing up, when it would never be acceptable for me to say, gee, why do you look like a slob today? Of course I would never say that, but you get the point . . . ha ha!

I am an Administrative Assistant.  The office dress code is “business casual” and most everyone is more casual than business.  I was the same until I lost 35 pounds this year.  As I am rebuilding my wardrobe anyway, I am trying to choose more stylish clothes and have an actual “look” when I go to work now.

I realized how much of a difference this makes when I wore my first nice outfit to work recently.  EVERYONE commented on it, including my boss (male) who said - “Wow, you look spiffy today. Very appreciated!” 

That tells me I was looking pretty sad before. lol.  I’d say what I’m wearing is still considered casual, but definitely several steps up from what I used to wear.  Before - cotton blend type pants and a plain top, usually from Wal-Mart or someplace similar, and uninspired flats, no accessories.

Today’s outfit - Black Jones of New York trousers with skinny black snakeskin (faux) belt, Short fitted jacket with single snap front, red ribbed tank underneath.  3” Ombre black and gray heels and some silver earrings. 

Plus, I just got my hair cut on Saturday and it looks the best it has in ages!  Best hair cut I think I’ve ever had.  Loving it!

You go Digigirl! Regardless of how much some like to think it doesn’t matter, dressing well has a huge impact on how others regard you and how you feel about yourself, right? AND sounds like you’ve done it on a budget too . . . nice!

Thanks Angela!  Yep, everything I’m wearing was purchased on sale or at lower cost stores.  Pants & belt from Macy’s 1 day sale, jacket (Isaac Mizrahi) from Target, shoes from clearance rack at DSW shoes.  Tank from wal-mart for $3!  Even the earrings were part of a multi-pack of earrings for $7.99 from Target.

And I forgot to mention the ruched black leather handbag I got from Spiegel on sale for $19!

Feeling very pleased with myself today.  :)

Valerie