Ladies - any tips on work clothes?

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi

After being out of work for a while I am very excited to be starting a new job in a few weeks time. I could really do with a few tips about buying some new clothes for work.

Its office work and the dress code is smart but doesnt have to be a suit. I have a little bit put aside to buy a few new clothes and have been looking about online but just dont know what to buy, or where the best place is to shop.

So I need some advice! Would you go for better quality and buy a few basic pieces, or stock up on some cheap and cheerful tops and trousers. Do you have any secrets about where you buy your work clothes that might surprise other people?

I want to look good and feel confident but need things that are comfortable and practical too. It a big step starting this new job and I know that if I feel good about how I look it will make me feel better.

Sasha101

Congratulations on your new job :beer:

Some lovely ideas on here to inspire you http://pinterest.com/umdcareers/dress-for-success-women/

I never really had that much money either to spend on a whole new work wardrobe when I started my new job so had to do with what I could afford in black (a pair of well fitting trousers, a skirt, three tops and nice shoes) and 'dress up' using scarves, bright necklaces/bracelets and cardigans until payday

I am not too posh to root around charity shops either for good quality high street items at a fraction of the cost and many items I have found have been brand new with the tags still on. I will always try to buy quality staple items as there is a very noticeable difference in cut and quality of fabric eg suit from Debenhams v Matalan.

Most important of all is to make sure your clothes fit! There is nothing worse than seeing a woman who's clearly made an effort with nicely styled hair and make up wearing a too small shirt that gapes at the bust or shoes that slop off her feet from being too big or showing too much cleavage, dresses and skirts too short or wearing a see through blouse with no camisole (I don't care how hot it is love don't do it for the office!), or wearing dresses/skirts too tight that pinch at hips or wearing trousers that are too short like they have shrunk in the wash etc etc. Stick to those rules and you will be fine. (God it's hard being female at times! :D)

Best wishes for your new job xx

Tiddlywinks

Don't buy too much too soon as you might start the job only to find that things are more casual or smarter than you first assumed. Or the office temperature might be way higher or lower...

In the meantime I'd get a black or navy pencil skirt, black trousers and some shirts to keep you going for the first week and then take it from there.

theoretica

I go for a mix - fewer trousers/skirts of good quality (mostly bought from charity shops or ebay!) while tops are more variable.

YORKSHIRELASS

Thanks all, some good advice there. I am not too proud to look in the charity shops and I also hadnt thought about the office environment. I am starting at the end of summer so I dont want to buy loads of summery stuff now and then not wear it next year.

I only saw one other female employee when I went for my interview and I wish now that I had taken more notice of what she was wearing!

That website link is really useful, thank you. Over the next couple of weeks I am going to have a good sort through my wardrobe and see what I have already then work out what else I need. I want to make a bit of a shopping list rather than just pick things up on impulse.

Oh and making sure it fits properly - and accessories - all good things to think about, thank you.

I do need to spend a bit of money on some decent shoes and a bag. I guess these are things people notice and it probably makes sense to spend money on some good quality shoes that will last a while.

Any more ideas welcome!

ifonlyitwaseasier

i get some nice trs from m&s, just a couple of pairs to start, a couple of cardis and then depending on whats about look in tescos, sains, and primark for a few tops,

Tiddlywinks

In the old days people used to say you could judge a lot by shoes and handbags... now I'm not so sure.

I commute a lot and have damaged a lot of expensive shoes over the years on uneven pavements, getting on and off trains etc... so now I just buy cheap and cheerful shoes from Asda or New Look and just replace them when they are scuffed. It also allows me to have a huge variety to mix and match with outfits.

As to bags... I agree, something professional that can hold an A4 folder and a bottle of water is always useful.

Most important is being tidy in appearance... no chipped nail varnish, dodgy roots or scuffs and stains.

Good luck in your new job.

pavlovs_dog

You can get good quality workwear that doesn't break the bank from places like Dorothy Perkins, New Look and H&M. I'm a teacher and get most of my basics from these shops.

joolsybools

M@talan and even S@insbury's do reasonably priced workwear. Good luck with your new job

ohreally

Dress as if for a night out, thats how most appear to dress nowadays.

nearlyrich

I mainly go to M&S, Debenhams and Next for my workwear, I do wear suits most of the time and I have some designer and some less expensive.
If I see a top that I like I usually buy it in all the colours they do that I like and I usually buy at least two sometimes three pairs of trousers for each jacket, I wash my suits on a low temp setting.

Good luck with the new job...