Office Attire

ColieAnn31 · December 2014

So my new job has me working in an office so I will be needing business casual clothing. I've never worked in an office setting so I have no idea what to wear. Right now I've been wearing yoga pants to work lol what are some staples that I must have??

I already have a couple of black cardigans and some.khaki pants. But most of my tops are too casual. Will my awesome B's help me out??

Thanks ladies!

needanustart · December 2014

Kohls is my go to also for cheap but nice work clothes. I wear black pants or gray pants with nice dressy tops (NY and Co is great for inexpensive dressy work tops) and I wear a lot of dresses with opaque tights and flats or boots. For my days when I have meetings or interviews I have a couple of nice suits from Ann Taylor. I need to wear petites so this is a factor in where I shop. Also half my wardrobe is from NY and Co because my sister was a buyer for them for about 5 years and I was sample size (freebies!) but I ended up loving their stuff and always get compliments.

ColieAnn31 · December 2014

Thanks guys! I was going to check kohls and pennys to get the basics. Black and grey pants and a couple tops. I'm excited to have a reason to look nice every day lol

Ryanswifey619 · December 2014

I go to Maurice's for my work clothes. Usually black slacks and a nice shirt or sweater and flats

lioness13 · December 2014

I buy a lot from TJ Maxx and Marshalls. Do not buy pants and tops from the Juniors Section. Stick with pants that aren't too tight and skirts/dresses that hit the knee at least (so you don't flash anyone when sitting down). I prefer dresses so I just have one thing to put on. I also buy a lot from Target and Old Navy.

numbersgirl08 · December 2014

Since I'm all about the capsule wardrobe lately, I found these that represent good starter business casual wardrobes:

https://theworkwearedit.com/a-business-casual-capsule-wardrobe-the-key-workwear-pieces-you-need/

https://www.outfitposts.com/2014/10/starter-business-casual-capsule.html#.VIBxoDHF-3g

https://www.cardiganjunkie.com/2014/02/business-capsule-wardrobe-2014-edition.html

I think I'm the only one who really hates Kohl's, JCP, and Macys. I just don't like big department stores and they aren't very curated I feel so there's a lot of ugly stuff to sift through. I've gotten lazy as I've gotten older.

My favorite office-appropriate stores are probably Loft and Limited, and I've found good pants at Gap. Check them frequently - there are always good deals happening online, especially now. (And if you can make it to a Banana Republic outlet store to shop, I highly recommend doing so. Their regular store prices are too high for me, but their factory prices are great).

Check out Limited sweaters right now, basic V-necks are $15. Remember that you'll need a camisole or some tanktop underneath for many v-necks.

https://www.thelimited.com/features/limited-time-offers/15-and-up-sweaters?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=promo&utm_source=banner&utm_content=120414&cid=EMC-MAIL-0005019

Right now Loft has a flash sale, extra 60% off all sale styles:

https://www.loft.com/nfp-sale-cat-091312/cat1100006?supCat=catl00008&loc=hpa1flash&icid=hpa1flash_bestofsale_120314

Make sure to check the care label of all clothes -- many business-y clothes are hand wash or dry clean only. If it's a blazer, you probably don't need to wash it often and so it's not a big deal (I think almost all blazers are dry clean), but if you're like me, you don't want to have to dry clean your sweaters and blouses.

I recommend coming up with a starter business casual capsule wardrobe - decide what you want to look for (like, 2 pairs of slacks, 2 cardigans, 2 blouses, a skirt, a sweater, a dress), pick out a color scheme that goes together (or be like Olivia Pope and wear all creams/grays/tans/neutrals) and then look for good quality pieces at the best prices you can find. You'll wear the these staple pieces a LOT so you'll want them to last.

numbersgirl08 · December 2014

Just saw this and thought I'd rec it: https://www.loft.com/twill-open-jacket/357998?colorExplode=false&skuId=17508049&catid=cat1100006&productPageType=saleProducts&defaultColor=5539

I bought it awhile ago when it wasn't nearly this marked down, and it's a great blazer that isn't dry clean (although I don't recommend drying it in the dryer and I'd wash it on gentle or hand wash). $38 is hard to beat for a good blazer!!!

ETA: Never mind, the flash sale expired 3 min before I was going to purchase something

No longer 60% but still 50% off so it's $47.50 now.

nikel13 · December 2014

I vote Kohls as well. I love the prices and their Apt 9 slacks and shirts! Super comfy, cute, and good in a business atmosphere.

ColieAnn31 · December 2014

classictwitch said:
I always bought stuff from Loft when I was working (still do, actually) they almost always have great online sales and if you can get to an outlet, you can get quite a lot for a decent price.

I second Target and Old Navy for some decent tops. Payless for now if you need shoes--just until you figure out how much you'll be on your feet, etc.

Congratulations on the new job, by the way!

I am definitely good on shoes

Thank you everyone for the awesome advice!! I'm going shopping Saturday so hopefully I can find things that fit my new body (hips)

You all are seriously the best!

musicalsilver · December 2014

My basic suit pieces came from Express. They fit me the nicest of all the places I looked and were reasonably priced. I also have some really beautiful blouses from there.

I have a number of nice slacks from Victoria's Secret, and my favorite dress tops are ones I snagged from sales at Anthropologie.

cynthia2007 · December 2014

Another kohls shopper here. Tj maxx is a great place too. Loft and loft outlets if you have one near you is great for work clothes and I usually find stuff on their sales racks more than buying any regular price item. I loved Macy's before but I never get a chance to shop there anymore.

Also, check out Jane.com. SIL introduced me to this site and they some cute tops, fleece leggings etc that I've been buying

ColieAnn31 · December 2014

I was kind of disappointed with kohls yesterday. I got a couple of things from there but there wasn't really a whole lot to choose from that was work appropriate.

ColieAnn31 · December 2014

I will. I got a few pieces that will get me through the next couple of weeks that I can mix and match with some of my older pieces of clothing.

numbersgirl08 · December 2014

@ColieAnn31‌ The Loft has everything 40% off right now, and they have $25 off if you spend $50 with a cash card code that you can stack (except on sale items which don't count). They have great business casual wear. I have the cash code on a card I was sent I can give you if you know you want to buy anything from there.

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