Yeah, you! Landing a job at the prestigious firm you’ve been vying for is no small feat! But now how do you dress the part when your wardrobe is mostly casual wear – and when it will take a few months of paychecks to make many purchases?
Having the appropriately professional attire is an important way to make a winning impression. But achieving a polished look without maxing out your credit card takes some strategic shopping and a big measure of self-restraint. You’ll need to prioritize quality over quantity and steer away from pieces that, while they’d make a personal statement, will only clash with the professional persona you’re hoping to curate.
Building a winning professional wardrobe doesn’t actually require dozens of outfits. The secret is buying fewer pieces, but with more outfit possibilities. Still, before you create your shopping list, rummage through your closet to find out if you already have some pieces that can qualify as office worthy. If you already have a pair of black dress pants or a dark-colored pencil skirt, cross them off your list.
You will also want to take note of people’s office attire at your new workplace. For instance, you don’t want to invest in an assortment of blazers if they’re rarely worn by your colleagues – let alone your boss.
Then, make your list, keeping it minimal, and stick to these guidelines as you shop:
1. Be Intentional About What You Buy – And When
Decide on your must-haves and stick to them. Don’t fall for any frivolous or faddish pieces. Impulse buying will fritter away at your wardrobe budget. Don’t worry about buying everything on your list at once. For instance, focus on the pieces you need for the season you’re in – for example, lighter fabrics and colors for the spring and summer – while postponing the darker, heavier clothes you’ll need months from now.
Pro tip: Shop the sales at the end of the seasons for heavily discounted items for your professional wardrobe.
2. Stick To The Basics
As they say, some fashions never go out of style. Keep to the classics – a pencil skirt, tailored pants, collared shirts, pumps or loafers. Buy monochromatic pieces that can be mixed and matched to stretch your outfit selection. When well assembled, you can have the essential pieces that will create different outfits to take you through several work days.
3. Look For Bargains
Consignment shops and thrift stores often have high quality pieces for a fraction of the price. And, if a pair of pants fits perfectly except for their length, you can use some of the money you saved buying them second hand to pay a seamstress to hem them. If you do decide to venture into a high-end store, head straight for the sales rack. Try to limit making online purchases to items you’ve already tried on and are confident about the quality and the fit.
Pro tip:A perfect fit gives your clothes a more expensive appearance.
4. Know Where To Invest Wisely
The one exception where you may need to spend top dollar is on your shoe selection. Think about it – your shoes will get more wear than any other piece in your professional wardrobe. Paying more for a durable brand will extend the lifespan of your footwear. What’s more, when you purchase wisely, you’ll also enjoy the comfort of a quality shoe. To get the full mileage out of your investment, keep up their appearance by polishing your shoes often and keeping them free of scuff marks. A note for women: Open-toed shoes may be the trend in fashion, but they should be relegated to nonprofessional settings only.
5. Care For Your Purchases
Once you’ve made your investment, go out of your way to protect it. Caring for your clothes appropriately preserves their quality and reduces the need for repairs or replacements. Wash, dry, and iron them according to their label instructions. Keeping your professional wardrobe clean and pressed matters just as much as the clothes themselves.
Pro tip: Setting both the washer and dryer to a lower temperature will help extend your clothing’s lifespan. Even more, hanging clothes to air dry is a kinder, gentler way to treat them.
Final Thoughts
Appearance matters in the professional world. Casual or out-of-fashion attire won’t cut it if you want to command respect. Dress for success every day and be confident knowing that you’re presenting yourself as the professional you are.
Author Bio
Vicky Oliver is a leading career development expert and the multi-bestselling author of five books, including Live Like a Millionaire (Without Having to Be One) (Skyhorse, 2015), and 301 Smart Answers to Tough Business Etiquette Questions (Sourcebooks 2005), named in the top 10 list of “Best Books for HR Interview Prep.” She’s a sought-after speaker and seminar presenter and a popular media source, having made over 901 appearances in broadcast, print and online outlets.
Vicky Oliver is the Nonfiction Editor and an Art Editor at LIT Magazine, the Journal of the New School Masters in Fine Arts Creative Writing, and teaches essay writing at the New York Writers Workshop. She co-hosts the Resilient Women series podcast for Relatable Media. For more information, visit vickyoliver.com.
