1st Time Buying Work Wardrobe

[purplebelle]

...and I never knew it would be so hard!

I graduate in a couple of weeks and I have to buy a lot of business-appropriate clothing for my first "real" job. It's an upper class organization with many well-to-do peeps, so looking very nice is stressed I'm assuming. First of all, that requires quite a chunk of change which is difficult b/c college students get paid crap until they are handed that piece of paper. I do have some money saved, I guess I'm just not used to plunking down $100 for a pair of pants when you make $8/hr.

Second, it's only summer attire in the stores (but very cute styles i might add). I went to JCrew, and they had 3 pairs of black pants!!! (No joke) All that are out are capris and I'm not sure those are appropriate just yet.

Also, my frame is petite but I'm well-endowed so buying clothes is difficult! I have a hard time finding clothes that are not inappropriate b/c they can be very tight at the bust. I'm trying really hard to look as office-friendly as possible. Argh.

What are some good stores to find 'work clothing' this time of year?

 

[dreams91]

Try Chadwicks online or catalog. I'd stay away from capris...my work doesn't let us wear them and they certainly aren't stressing business attire. Did you find the dream job already? Good luck.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I would suggest Lerners, Casual Corner, or Victoria's Secret. Also, to start out in, get some mix and match clothes so you don't have to buy alot like maybe a pair of black and khaki slacks and then some different colored blouses to match with them and then a nice neutral blazer or cardigan. That way you can mix it up, but don't have to buy a whole new wardrobe at once.

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

Congrats on your upcoming graduation. I know it can be hard to start that work wardrobe so my advise is to buy a lot of basic classic items. You can always wear the bottoms with multiple tops, so buy the best bottoms (skirts, pants) as you can find (and afford). I like JCPenney for very reasonable priced work clothes. I also wear plus/womens sizes and normally find things at very reasonable prices and they always last. Try not to spend to much on "trendy" items until you have a good foundation built up. Good luck!!

 

[Anastasia]

I like Ann Taylor. They can be a bit pricey, but look for sales. Towards the end of the season, you can find clearance things that are 40% of the already marked down price. Usually the "end of season" clearance is still at the beginning of the actual season!

I would buy a few outfits to start, and keep buying as that money starts rolling in!

Congratulations on graduating and your first real job!

 

[CLEO Z]

I've got the opposite problem: larger in bottom than on the top! Same solution applies to you: lots of seperates! You may be able to find some good starter pieces at Kohl's. Some of the clearance racks may still have the early spring clothes. Good luck!

 

[NMW]

I would try large department stores like Macy's and Nordstroms (I'm not sure what you have where you live). They always have sales. I would buy a few good quality things and slowly buy more as you can afford it. Good luck!

 

[oogieboogie]

Scout out the thrift stores and Plato's Closet too. If you have a Gabriel Brothers, they also have great stuff for cheap. Just because it comes from a thrift store doesn't mean it's crappy.

I've gotten great bargains (liz claiborne, ann taylor, talbots, gap, etc) at thrift stores and a lot of them look like they're barely used. I've even gotten some that still have the tags on them.

Stick to the neutral colors for the time being so you can mix and match easily.

 

[Bluenoser]

Congratulations. It sounds very corporate so go for clean classic styles - they never go out of style. Mix and match options are your best bet and buy quality - when you don't it shows in the way the clothes hang on your frame. I.e matching black skirt, pant and jacket can be mixed and matched with other colored pieces and bottoms. JCPenney, Macy's and Nordstroms will often have sales people that can help you pull together a working wardrobe of mix match.

One word of advice - always dress for the job you want not the one you have.

 

[missypie]

Can you get to an outlet mall like Gurnee Mills? They probably have an Ann Taylor loft. Their clothes aren't cheap, but marked down, they can be a good deal. I got a nice pair of work pants there yesterday (I'm a lawyer) for $39. And they had nice silk blend skirts for $19.99. Banana Republic Outlet is a good deal, too.

Don't be afraid to go into stores like Talbots, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, etc. They have terrific sales!

 

[ceecee]

Try some thrift stores (we have a really nice one nearby) I was able to get a lot of name brand wool blazers, pants and skirts for very little money. I also got three winter coats (one still had tags). I bought the sweaters, etc that looked worn new at a dept. store, but I was able to save major $$$ on the rest. I also went on a day that everything was 50% off. I am very picky about my clothes. It couldn't hurt to try. I had to go from uniforms to business attire...give me scrubs anyday!!!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

The easiest way to do this is to go into stores like Dillard's, Lord and Taylor's, Bloomingdales or Macy's and hit the sales racks... I've had a lot of good luck at Dillard's & L&T that way. Also consignment shops (aka thrift stores) in good neighborhoods are an excellent way to go. Kohl's is good in NJ...not so good in GA. You do NOT have to spend $100 on a pair of pants starting out. Just because people may be doing well in a given corporation don't assume you have to buy what they seem to be buying on an entry level job. A couple of good neutral suits (black, grey, brown/beige) and some other pieces to mix and match with those will do you fine. Buying out of season is a great way to go...for example you can get neutral pieces for fall and winter now on the sales racks...then you can spruce those up by hitting the sales racks for shirts over the spring and summer (but still buying fall/winter colors).

I've never spent $100 for pants and anything I spent more than $100 for (other than suits) was only because I wanted to not because I had to. At the same time until you know more about what makes an item of clothes worth the money you might want to stick with dresses, jackets, skirts and pants in excess of $50.

 

[jlb]

Talbots, they are having a sale now and you will get years of wear from their clothes. They have a petite line and a lot of their career wear can be worn through various seasons.

Good Luck...

 

[EthansMom]

I also liked Ann Taylor for work clothes back when I was an engineer and not a SAHM. Also, Jones of New York and Liz Claiborne. These are all pricier, so try to hit the sales racks, but the quality is very high.

Also, when shopping for "everyday" work clothes (as opposed to "important meeting" work clothes), you may want to try to find clothes that are presentable, but not dry clean only. Dry cleaning fees will cost an arm and a leg on the fancier clothes. For "everyday workclothes", I like the cotton blouses from Eddie Bauer and Lands End (http://www.landsend.com/cd/fp/prod/...?CM_MERCH=PAGE_47297&sid=0121102843258178850). The plain, colored blouses look great with a scarf and/or some discreet gold jewelry. Check out the Eddie Bauer and Lands End slacks also. Also, Dockers makes some higher end slacks that look nice.

You may also want to check out J. Jill (http://www.jjill.com/). Eddie Bauer, Lands End, and J. Jill all offer blouses and tops in larger sizes.

Also, one tip: You will likely need a very large chunk of change to get into your post-college apartment, so be very careful with your money. I remember having to pay around $2000 for security deposit and first/last month's rent when I moved for my first job and that was before I had gotten any kind of paycheck!

I hope this helps!

 

[purplebelle]

You guys are all do great!! Thank you... I believe Chicago has all the stores you've listed so I'll check them out. It's very reassuring that some of your recommend stores like Kohl's and JCPenney; I wasn't sure if that was 'okay.' I will def check out the sales at some of the nicer places, Banana, Dillard's, Ann Taylor Loft, etc., etc.

And yes, I will do basics. Thank you!!!

 

[purplebelle]

Oh! And thank you all for the well-wishes too. I can't believe I'm graduating from college. I never knew I'd actually get this old.

Did you find the dream job already? Good luck.

Not quite the dream job, but the dream company...

 

[EthansMom]

Purplebelle,

I have just a bit of unsolicited advice for someone graduating from college and starting their first job. There are two things that you can do that will greatly improve your financial status over time:

(1) When you start your first job, contribute to your company's 401k plan, especially if the company offers a match. Yes, you're just starting out and could really use the extra dough in your paycheck, but if you start off contributing say 5% to your 401k, your paycheck would only be reduced by about 3.5% since you don't pay fed or state taxes on the money you put in the 401k until you take the money out when you're retired. Also, if your company matches funds, then you make money right off the bat.

Then, when you get a raise, try to increase your 401k contribution by 1/2 of your raise. If you get a 4% raise, increase your 401k contribution by 2% -- you still get a raise and you'll be saving more money toward your retirement. In a few years, you'll find that you are maxing out your 401k in a very painless way.

If and when you leave your company, roll the 401k into your next company's 401k or into a Traditional IRA to continue deferring the taxes.

(2) Don't buy anything you can't pay for. Sure, we all have emergencies like car breakdowns that do require carrying a balance on the ccs for a little while. But you shouldn't use credit to buy vacations, computers, clothes, food, etc. If you want something, save up for it.

DH and I both did the above and are MUCH better off for it. Oh, sure, we're not bathing in hundred dollar bills or anything, but are quite a bit more financially secure than other couples in their 30s.

Take this advice as you will. But I hope it helps in some way!

 

[crisi]

Consignment. There are a lot of really great things sold consignment.

Next stop: TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Burlington Coat Factory. All carry some great "name brand" things.

The sale rack at Casual Corner has been very good to me over the years. Christopher and Banks sells more casual work clothes cheaply, but is a great place to get things like mock turtlenecks to wear under a jacket.

Then I'd do the sale racks at Macy's/Marshall Fields/Ann Taylor. Even the sales racks there can be pricey.

Finally do your full price fill in pieces.

 

[blueberry22]

Talbots clothes are classic, well made and last forever, They have a petite line. THere are Talbots outlets that sell overstocks etc. Do a search to see what is in your area. Their discounts can be fantastic- 75% off. I've picked up blazers for $5. ALso because their stuff is classic you can get the basic pieces and build from there.

Do think of basics when starting out. Build around one color scheme. I use Black- boring but useful. A good black suit (skirts and pants) and a red blazer can be mixed and matched in infinite ways. Make sure the quality of the basics is good and you can get away with much less money underneath. For example you can get away with an inexpensive black t shirt and pants if you have a classic well made jacket on top. ALso look to combo outfits- such as a 2 piece silk "dress" say in a black and white print. Wear the skirt with a black t and either jacket, the top with a suit etc etc.

My daughter- also graduating from college this year- hated Talbots as being old and fuddy duddy. However in the last year she has been running into the outlet nearby for different pieces and has become a huge fan. (recently bought a really beautiful dress to wear for the graduation formal) Unfortunelty she has NO JOB PROSPECTS !!!!! So congradulations on both graduating and working- I'm sure your parents are proud.

 

[MrsPete]

I have just a bit of unsolicited advice for someone graduating from college and starting their first job . . . contribute to your company's 401k plan . . . Don't buy anything you can't pay for . . . DH and I both did the above and are MUCH better off for it. Oh, sure, we're not bathing in hundred dollar bills or anything, but are quite a bit more financially secure than other couples in their 30s.

I'll second this good advice! A good financial start will make a difference literally for the rest of your life; you can overcome a bad start, but it could hinder you for decades. DH and I scrimped and saved the first few years of our marriage; we never went out to eat, we shared one car, and we made other sacrafices. I'm not 40 yet, but I live in a nice, paid-for house, I drive a paid-for car, and I don't owe anyone any money. It really wasn't all that difficult; we just continued to live a poor college student's life after graduation; on the other hand, people who "live it up", then try to scale back often suffer. Our children are in upper elementary school, and we can concentrate on saving for their education and our retirement), and we still have plenty of disposable income for trips and other things now that our kids are such a nice age.

But back to the subject of a professional wardrobe . . .

I'll second the idea about consignment stores. Look for stores on "the right side of town"; you'll find nice things for very good prices. I think there's more out there for small people, so you'll likely do well.

I'll also second the idea about sticking to classic styles. Something you'll wear for years is a good bargain, even if it's expensive. If you buy something fad-ish, make sure it's cheap. Try to pick up some good skirts and pants that can be paired with bargain-priced shirts and sweaters; those basics will take you a long way.

Buy good shoes, especially if your job will require lots of walking. And buy shoes in basic colors -- cute shoes that match only one outfit really run up your costs; that money would be better spent on basics.

Someone else suggested Victoria's Secrets; I disagree. Tight sweaters and plunging necklines are too sexy for the office; unless you're the receptionist, you want to be taken seriously at work. This is especially important for a young, just-out-of-college girl.

Finally, buy what you can now, and don't worry about wearing repeat outfits. Other people won't notice nearly as much as you think they will.

Good luck with your new job!