Calling all fashionistas

fireflygirl12

I just got a new job that has a casual dress code. My previous job was more business casual and I feel like I had a lot of trendy pieces. However, my current casual ware tends to be mostly jeans and t-shirts. Where would you shop to basically get a new casual wardrobe? What kinds of things would you absolutely buy?

LuvSD

If it were me I would combine my tops that are more business casual with a nice pair of jeans. If you wanted to get new stuff I really like blouses from Express and the Gap. I am a jeans whore but my go to is Hudson. One pair will last a long time and they look great.

fireflygirl12

LuvSD said:

If it were me I would combine my tops that are more business casual with a nice pair of jeans. If you wanted to get new stuff I really like blouses from Express and the Gap. I am a jeans whore but my go to is Hudson. One pair will last a long time and they look great.

What about non-jeans bottoms?

LuvSD

fireflygirl12 said:

LuvSD said:

If it were me I would combine my tops that are more business casual with a nice pair of jeans. If you wanted to get new stuff I really like blouses from Express and the Gap. I am a jeans whore but my go to is Hudson. One pair will last a long time and they look great.

What about non-jeans bottoms?

 

Where to get non-jeans bottoms? I really like the kaki's at the gap they are super comfortable. I actually were them to work with a nice top and my company is business casual.

LuvSD

I don't know how to edit but I meant khakis not kaki's.

 

MommaP12

Congrats on the new job!  I would just wear nicer (usually dark) jeans and a trendy top with cute accessories.

I have no dress code at my office and am ashamed to admit that I'm a bit too casual (read:  I sometimes wear Pumas to the office with my jeans) but everyone here is super casual so it will also depend on what you see others in your office wearing.

danabsd

I used to have a job with a casual dress code.  I wore jeans everyday and yoga pants on "casual" Friday. 

It.was.awesome.

tinyhumantoe

Without knowing what kind of place we are talking here...... IMO I would actually dress on the higher end of casual, meaning your nice tops with a cardi and dark plain jeans (no bedazzled ass, except on Fridays of course).

If your tops are more the collared button down type (uncomfy), and less the trendy blouse type... Then grab some blouses at places like Express, The Limited, Target, Kohls, wherever... items that are more like a nice top and less like a tshirt. You can also pull off a plain nice tshirt material top with a cardi and cute necklace. That could go with dark jeans, khakis, or casual dress pants that have a more linen/unpressed look.

I think that dark jeans are more professional looking, with very little or no embellishments, kept in good condition (no completely frayed off bottoms with the hem separated from the jeans and dragging). And no $1 flip flops. Sandals are fine though.

This is what I would do . Congrats on the new job!

tinyhumantoe

I should add that 90% of my "casual" work garb comes from target and gets pairs with dark jeans, flats, and a super cute scarf. I swear scarves make a shit outfit look nice and put together, along with some blush, hair spray, and a colored lip gloss.

My more formal stuff comes from places like the limited, or whoever has a major sale. Ain't nobody got time for full priced blouses, yo. Pants are a different story for me. Don't tell commercial America, but ill empty my wallet on pants that fit.

fireflygirl12

danabsd said:

I used to have a job with a casual dress code.  I wore jeans everyday and yoga pants on "casual" Friday. 

It.was.awesome.

Yes, it's very awesome to not have to buy dress clothes anymore and to spend less time getting ready for work. I once had a job that didn't even have casual Fridays. Fuckers.

fireflygirl12

tinyhumantoe said:

Without knowing what kind of place we are talking here...... IMO I would actually dress on the higher end of casual, meaning your nice tops with a cardi and dark plain jeans (no bedazzled ass, except on Fridays of course). If your tops are more the collared button down type (uncomfy), and less the trendy blouse type... Then grab some blouses at places like Express, The Limited, Target, Kohls, wherever... items that are more like a nice top and less like a tshirt. You can also pull off a plain nice tshirt material top with a cardi and cute necklace. That could go with dark jeans, khakis, or casual dress pants that have a more linen/unpressed look. I think that dark jeans are more professional looking, with very little or no embellishments, kept in good condition (no completely frayed off bottoms with the hem separated from the jeans and dragging). And no $1 flip flops. Sandals are fine though. This is what I would do . Congrats on the new job!

Thanks for the ideas. I especially like the idea of shopping at Target to save some $$. I used to shop a lot at Kohls, but then it seemed like all my shirts kept shrinking, even when I would hang dry.

Where do you like to shop for accessories? Target?

tinyhumantoe

Everywhere, of course! I'm always on the lookout. It depends on how much you want to wear it... I find the Target stuff is just as cheaply made as Forever 21 / Charlotte Russe / h&m / wet seal / etc but with a much higher price. Might as well get it cheap if it IS cheap. American eagle and similar ate slightly better quality, but barely. Claire's is overpriced crap. Hugely discounted jewelry at Macy's and some other dept stores are another notch above.

I have a white gold necklace and diamond studs I wear with bolder outfits. When I have a plain Jane outfit I wear the bolder pieces I pick up at the el cheapo stores.

If you buy a nice long chain necklace with a big charm (on sale at kohls, but sterling silver so it will last/can be cleaned)... Then you can hit mega sales at a craft store (michaels/Joanns) and buy awesone charms to pop on and off your nice chain. The chain itself can be cleaned with sterling jewelry cleaner whenever it looks dull!

And when I find a piece that is absolutely stunning, I'll drop some bucks $$$ on it and plan a couple outfits around it. Those pieces I keep forever. It's almost like I'm attracted to them. :-p

tinyhumantoe

When I say pop on and off, I don't mean interchangeable specific pieces, I mean they just thread on and off the necklace. And there are always 40% off coupons to those craft stores.

hmp1

I would still wear my slacks but dress them down with a solid cotton V-neck, or a tank with 3/4 sleeve cardi over it. Skirts are easy to dress down by wearing flats. Wear your nicer shirts and blazers with jeans to dress them down.

tinyhumantoe

@hmp1 I was gonna tag you to come in here a minute ago