There will come a time when your favorite baggy sweatpants and over-sized sweatshirt will have to leave your wardrobe, during the work week at least.
The fashion world can be expensive, especially to those who are graduated or close to it. Some of us might have a closet full of school spirit t-shirts and jeans that somehow survived the past four years.
Some of you may be overwhelmed with trying to look your best when you’re in your twenties and just spent money on rent, food, bills, and the impending doom of paying student loans. The fact is that you don’t have to go out and buy a Louis Vuitton bag or an Armani blazer to be a respected, fashionable professional.
The next time you’re in the fitting room trying on a $200 blazer, try to remember these four tips on building a professional wardrobe:
1. Avoid Full Priced Department Stores A tip I’ve told myself in the past is that if there’s wooden hangers, then 9 times out of 10 the store is going to be expensive. Don’t waste your time going into over-priced department stores. There’s plenty of other places that will sell designer clothes for half the price. Places such as Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, Target, H&M, or even Express have amazing professional wardrobe options. These stores have affordable clothes and usually good sales.
If you’re more motivated, check out thrift shops. Plato’s Closet is known to have recognizable brands that are in good condition.
2. Online Shopping Online shopping is great. You can sit in the comfort of your own home and shop without the annoying crowds. There are many websites that are more than affordable when you’re on a budget and coupons are always around (like Retail Me Not).
3. Quality, Not Quantity Yes, you will need enough clothes for a whole week but having a professional wardrobe is a gradual process. You shouldn’t go out and buy a whole closet in one shot. The best thing to do is buy items over time. Buy the essentials on what you need instead of buying 10 pants all at once. Space out your clothing investments.
4. Simple is Key You don’t have to go over the top with what you wear. Simple outfit options are always good when you have the accessories to go with it. Buy shoes that will go with any outfit and remember to try to buy shirts that will go with anything as well.
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