If you are like most people, you have to maintain two separate wardrobes, one for work and one for regular life. This can be costly. If you have been out of the game for awhile and your current business attire is out of date, or you are a recent college grad just entering the ‘’real world,’’ you may have to build your wardrobe from scratch. Fortunately, you can put one together without busting your budget.
Stick to Neutral Colors for Major Pieces
I suspect that the muted tones of most business attire is not because people that work in formal business settings are just naturally boring and serious. It is because they are easy to mix and match, eliminating the need to have 50 different pairs of pants or suit jackets. Optimal colors for jackets, skirts and pantsuits include tan, white, black, navy, cream, and grey. All of these colors go well together and you can create numerous combinations that will create the illusion of a bigger wardrobe than you have. You can also get more mileage by sticking to solid colored clothing rather than patterns. A plain black skirt or pair of pants can be worn multiple times in a week and it not even be noticeable as being the same piece.If you want some pizzazz, your accent pieces, like the shirt under your suit jacket, ties and accessories is the place to do it.
Don’t Discount Clearance and Secondhand Items
While you probably do not associate thrift stores and the clearance rack with finding your dream work wardrobe, they should not be discounted entirely. You may find a few diamonds in the rough and it is definitely worth a look. A lot of second hand items have been worn very infrequently and are almost like new. The only difference is, instead of sitting in someone’s closet, the person put it to good use somewhere else. Clearance items may take some time to rifle though, but you may find some good staple pieces that can last throughout the seasons.
Ask Friends and Family to Borrow Some Clothes
In an ideal world, you will walk into the store and pluck whatever clothes suit your fancy from the rack, but in reality, it often does not work like this. If you are just starting to build your wardrobe and money is tight, ask friends and family if they have any clothes you can borrow until you start getting some regular paychecks. It will only be temporary and you can start your new job confident you are wearing the right attire.
Keep Your Closet Organized to Avoid Buying Repeats
If you are building your professional wardrobe on a budget, keep your closet organized to reduce wasted money buying things you do not need. How many times have you come across something tucked away and totally forgot that you owned it? Being disorganized with your wardrobe is not optimal for someone on a budget.
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About the Author
Kelli Cooper is a freelance writer who enjoys creating pieces that help people succeed in their personal and professional life. Check out Wildpair for boots and other fashion items for work and any other time!
