Professional clothes don't have to be expensive. You can get the basics anywhere from Payless to Target to Gap. You might splurge for one or two key items (like a blazer) that are hard to find cheap and attractive, but it can all be done for very cheap.
Keys to a professional wardrobe:
1. One pair of closed toe black pumps.
2. Pearl earrings/diamond studs (can be fake).
3. Black/charcoal dress pants (must be a loose professional cut; if you'd wear them to a bar, do NOT wear them to work).
4. Black/charcoal blazer (should match pants so you have at least one suit).
5. Black/charcoal skirt (might also match blazer so you have 2 suits with only 3 items). Should be knee length professional cut.
6. Cardigan set(s) to go with skirt/pants. Get several colors for variety. NOT tight or short (shouldn't show skin when you bend).
7. At least one white button up blouse. Get several colors for variety. This should NOT be tight or show cleavage. Wear a tank underneath if necessary.
8. A plain black leather tote bag/briefcase.
9. One pair nude panty hose (no pattern). Wear to job interviews, important meetings, or every day. Insta-professionalism!
That's it! Add one or two pieces a month and you'll have a full wardrobe in no time. You can add browns and neutrals when you have more money to spend, and another suit in some fun seasonal texture. The most important ways to look professional, though, are to pay attention to the Don'ts.
1. Don't wear dangly or glittery jewelry (esp earrings)! Don't wear excessive jewelry either. Pearls sets are great and make you look classy and professional instantly.
2. Don't wear tight clothes! Even the most professional outfits can look trashy if they are too tight and/or provocative. The workplace is not the place to show off your nice bottom or perky breasts. It may make you attractive, but you will not be considered professional.
3. Don't have excessive (or very colorful) hair, nails, or makeup. You should look smooth and polished and be in neutral tones--especially if you are a secretary. But do wear makeup, especially lipstick in a daytime neutral pinkish color. It's amazing how it can complete a look.
2007-03-06 04:49:28
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answer #1
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answered by lizzgeorge 4
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Look at what others in a similar position are wearing. If your boss is looking for "professional", he/she probably wants you to wear something with a suit look to it. You can buy jackets & pants (or skirts) separately so you can mix & match & get a lot of outfits from them.
You can buy some inexpensive professional-looking clothes at Target & Walmart - you can also get some decent sales at department stores like Kohls or JcPenney. There are also 2nd hand shops that specialize in dressier clothes.
In the past, when counseling employees on dressing more professionally, I've recommended buying 1 or 2 pieces per paycheck - that way it won't break the bank, but will help build the wardrobe.
Good luck!
2007-03-06 04:29:07
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answer #2
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answered by Quarter Midget Mom 5
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Ever notice what men do? They have a jacket, pants, and change shirt and tie. So maybe a basic black or tan skirt (knee length or mid calf) or pants, a black or tan blazer, and a couple of blouses. Make sure you choose colors that will all go together so you can switch it all together. A costly mistake is to buy anything that only goes with one thing. You might try using scarves and belts and necklaces/brooches to change the look a bit as well. And a good pair of comfortable shoes, low pumps or flat. Buy one item to add to your wardrobe every few months so you don't get stuck having to buy a lot at once. Buy second hand. Don't wear plunging necklines, low backs, spagetti straps, shorts (unless they are acceptable in your place of employment if they are knee length or capri) and then they should be like walking shorts not clingy anywhere. No tshirts, especially none with logos or pictures.
2007-03-06 04:27:00
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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Ok, professional attire is suits. Suits with pants or suits with skirts... I am not sure if you are a he or she, so I will be generic. Pick a couple of basic colors: black, navy, taupe. Then get tops/shirts that you can wear with all the suits. Plain shoes, of a good quality (leather) that also go with all the suits. I get a lot of nice casual corner or Ann Taylor stuff off of ebay, alot of it new. You will get sick of wearing the same stuff every day, but you will be impeccably turned out and professional looking. You can always add your individual touch with scarves and jewelery (if you are a she. Ties if you are a he.)
2007-03-06 04:43:44
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answer #4
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answered by horsinround2do 6
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I have to do the same thing hon - what I suggest is to go to the used clothes store - then you can be fully equipped for less than fity bucks instead of getting fully equipped for five hundred
buy the new trendy stuff later when you build up your money - know one has to know where you bought your stuff - go to the next town or city just in case
2007-03-06 04:25:54
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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Try consignment shops! I love them! I find nice suits and dresses all the time there for way below the price they were new! Many of the clothes I have bought I would never even look at if they were new because of the prices! Plus you can take your unwanted stuff there and get credit for it too!
2007-03-06 04:25:17
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answer #6
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answered by javajavgrl 3
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I recommend eBay.
I buy Kasper pant suits from eBay. They're normally around $200 at the store, but I just purchased one for $8.99 plus shipping!
Anything Kasper would qualify as professional.
2007-03-08 02:10:54
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answer #7
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answered by boo's mom 6
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~have a small, intimate wedding ceremony - protecting the focused visitor checklist short is #a million ~have your wedding ceremony on a friday or sunday evening or saturday afternoon ~if somebody you already know has a pleasing backyard you've gotten your wedding ceremony there to boot ~shop your bridal occasion small, even possibly in user-friendly terms a MOH and BM ~save on your gown at a branch shop or jointly as a bridal save is having a huge sale (do no longer even attempt on costly dresses for the relaxing of it, you do no longer decide to fall in love with it!) ~print your guy or woman invites or in case you're cunning you'll be able to as nicely cause them to your self ~do no longer difficulty approximately centerpieces in case you're having your reception at a feast hall they might desire to be coated ~dont in basic terms assume that a cake provided by technique of the feast hall is extra low priced - they upload gratuity expenditures to the cake! ~get somebody you already know or a photographer in basic terms commencing out to take photos. whether it particularly is somebody you already know you additionally could make your guy or woman album or there are various web pages on line which you would be able to get a professional album made inclusive of your photos after the marriage ~detect a supplier that does the two photos and DJ centers that would provide you a kit low fee ~make your guy or woman favors (home made cookies or chocolate coated pretzels located in sparkling luggage inclusive of your colour ribbon and labels) ~do no longer difficulty approximately classes, they are not mandatory ~attend bridal expos the place you are able to win unfastened issues and get sturdy low fee rates on different products ~DIY bouquets - go on your interior sight shop and purchase the flora and positioned the bouquets jointly. there's a holder you need to purchase at walmart or someplace like that to help in coming up the bouquet There are additionally various books you need to purchase for small fee selection wedding ceremony concepts, or do a google seek and you gets numerous wonderful concepts additionally! sturdy success!
2016-09-30 06:55:21
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answer #8
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answered by ? 4
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go to walmart, kmart, and target and buy a few interchangable outfits for work- shouldnt be much more than $50 an outfit
2007-03-06 04:29:34
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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go to mens warehouse they have good stuff there
2007-03-06 04:24:10
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answer #10
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answered by cal2mkid 1
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