I'll be transitioning to full time work after being home for the better part tof two years! What are your easy go to wardrobe essentials for casual business casual? Specifically I'll be doing community based social service work. Thanks!
"When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew." -Shakespere
I should add that I literally have two pairs of dress pants and 2-3 work appropriate tops:( two babies have drastically changed my body since I last worked full time!
"When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew." -Shakespere
Community-based social service work can be pretty relaxed. I would take a cue from your new co-workers, but for most in-the-field workers it has been jeans. I'm in a higher position, so if I wear jeans (on Friday), I try to make it denim trousers. Khakis and inexpensive trousers are great! If you might be getting into dirty work, I wouldn't spend too much on the clothes. I found some great skinny pants at Gap recently.
January OAD Siggy Challenge: Creative Snow Sculptures
I teach, so I can wear "fancy" t-shirts. I love the scoop neck ones from Target, Merona brand. The neckline has a bit of gathering. They hold up pretty well (I air dry them), and they have some spandex so they don't get stretched out.
I teach, so I can wear "fancy" t-shirts. I love the scoop neck ones from Target, Merona brand. The neckline has a bit of gathering. They hold up pretty well (I air dry them), and they have some spandex so they don't get stretched out.
I like Merona stuff in general. It's inexpensive and usually machine washable. A few accessories make the clothes more professional, but as PP mentioned, sometimes it's better to look "relatable." I'm a physician but many of my patients are indigent, and I like to keep my work clothes low-key.
I agree with needing to look relatable, though jeans are only allowed Fridays. Thanks for the input! I'm going to check out Target and NY and Co this week.
"When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew." -Shakespere
NY&Co is great - I just got some new work clothes there for my return to work after leave. And Target is a mainstay of my clothes shopping. Ann Taylor Loft is good too, but pricier than I like, at least when I'm hopeful I'll be changing sizes before too long... I also like Nordstrom Rack and H&M
Just curious, are dressy cords, and straight leg pants typically ok? Or too casual? I was thinking with flats or boots....
Depends on your office environment and the external folks you interact with. You may need to check things out for the first couple days before going crazy getting a bunch of clothes that may be too casual, or more dressy than necessary (the latter sounds like a potential concern in your field from what PPs wrote)
Throw in 1 blazer, 2 cardigans and a 3 button ups in basic colors as well as at least a neutral shift dress and at least 2 skirt options and you'll have enough to mix and match for a month or more. I love hitting up TJ Maxx/Marshalls since they usu. have great prices and basics.
Re: Building a wardrobe....
January OAD Siggy Challenge: Creative Snow Sculptures
DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)