Ive been working for 6 mo & need to dress up every day. Is there a smart / cheap way to build my wardrobe ?

Question

I feel like I buy something new every pay check to try and continue to build and avoid wearing the same thing over and over. I have one credit card maxed out and not the best of credit. Work is business dress attire and I feel like my budget holds me back from looking professional. Any suggestions?

I feel like I buy something new every pay check to try and continue to build and avoid wearing the same thing over and over. I have one credit card maxed out and not the best of credit. Work is business dress attire and I feel like my budget holds me back from looking professional. Any suggestions?

*Also, I always feel like I see jackets on sale but never suits. I was always under the impression that you should not mix n match these things. If you have a brown jacket you have to have the matching brown pants ? Is that wrong?? What colors are ok to mix?

*Also, I always feel like I see jackets on sale but never suits. I was always under the impression that you should not mix n match these things. If you have a brown jacket you have to have the matching brown pants ? Is that wrong?? What colors are ok to mix?

Answer 1

1) Take everything out of your closet & sort it. i.e. all suits together, all short sleeve blouses together, all sweaters, all blazers,all belts, all scarves, sort shoes & purses by color, etc.

2) Remove items you don't wear, don't like, etc. Consider selling them through a consignment store, trading them w/ someone else, or donating them.

3) Look at the remaining items & think about what are your favorite basics. Then think about different ways to wear them & accessorize them. Ask a friend to help you develop mix & match ideas. The goal is to make the most of what you have now so you don't feel compelled to buy something new every pay period.

4) Think about what you would like to add to your wardrobe & make a list. Then prioritize the items in a way that makes sense for you. e.g. by need, by cost, by season, etc.

5) Think about your cash flow. Maybe instead of buying something every pay period you can buy one item a month or every 2 months with CASH or that you can pay on your card immediately.

Decide how much you can afford to pay on your credit card out of EACH paycheck. W/ online banking - it is easy to make early payments. This will reduce the amount of principle sooner thereby saving interest payments. It also will help you chip away at this debt steadily.

6) Let friends & family know gift cards for clothing stores would be appreciated at the holidays if you are comfortable w/ doing so.

7) Consider shopping @ thrift stores & consignment shops. Figure out where the best neighborhoods are & shops in them or closest to them. I have two friends in S.F., CA who find incredible deals on excellent quality coats, suits, etc.

8) Some good online shops:

www.landsendcom.com - check overstock section for sales

www.bluefly.com - designer goods marked down; sign up for e-mail notices for special sales, offers, etc.

www.bluenile.com - quality jewelry @ fair prices

10) Save on shirts, knit tops, trendy accessories.
e.g. www.oldnavy.com has a "Wear to Work" section & you can find shirts, accessories to blend w/ your suits, etc.

11) Find a good tailor or seamstress. Sometimes adjusting the fit of a garment can update it and make it look more flattering.

12) Related websites: http://suityourself.com/Good_Business_Wardrobe_by_Steve_Brinkman.asp
http://www.ceslie.com/askceslie/story_76.php?PHPSESSID=be56b3043aa5b3efa42d8f43d9f8a2b6
http://www.marieclaire.com/life/career/dress/build-work-wardrobe?id=jbyHxLUu6sKvV146Sbkh
http://video.about.com/fashion/Women-s-Wardrobe.htm
http://video.about.com/mensfashion/Men-s-Business-Wardrobe.htm

13) Avoid items that need dry cleaning as much as possible. (i.e. get cotton shirts & sweaters that can be hand washed) Consider using a DIY cleaning kit like Dryell.

14) Research local outlets & consider visiting them every 2 months armed w/ your list & wardrobe plan. DO not let yourself buy anything that isn't on your list or isn't appropriate for work. Stick to your list & your plan. Shop w/ a friend who has good taste & is a disciplined spender too.

Answer 2

I buy everything at Goodwill or the Salvation Army store. I know the expensive name brands and look for those. I'm always being asked where I bought an outfit. You can also get nice purses and scarves there really cheap to spice up an otherwise plain outfit. Start with basic black pants, you can dress them up with a nice top, jacket or sweater. Khaki pants are also very versatile. Look at magazines to get some ideas on putting together a great looking outfit. Adding jewelry can also change your look. It's unbelievable how many outfits you can put together by shopping at the thrift stores. You could probably get a weeks worth of work clothes there for the price you'd pay for one outfit at the mall. Believe me, no one will know the difference!! Good luck!!

Answer 3

First of all, you need to get out of debt girl!!! Other than buying a house, nothing is worth going into debt over!!!

My sister started working for a bank recently and she had to buy a new wardrobe also. Basic black slacks are a must! You can wear them everyday and it's not obvious you are because you can mix up your tops. If you're into skirts, a black knee length one would be good too (my sister and I are pants kinda girls). As you get more money you can add other colors/fabrics to your mix. For tops you should shop at Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, and Target for starters- they all carry professional looking tops for cheap cheap! (Check the sales racks, too!) You don't need that many clothes to look great (there are only 5 days in a work week!!), just get a good selection of tops, buy a few pairs of basic nice shoes (Target and Charlotte Russe are cheap and chic!) and you're good to go!... And if you're like my sister- raid your sister's closet for some freebies! ;)

Answer 4

try getting a few basics- 2 or 3 blouses, and a suit with pants and a skirt. you can mix and match. Try Target or H&M. also try outlets. business clothing is pretty basic and can be updated with accessories- dont feel you have to buy a new suit every few months - just try different jewerly or shoes. classy and clean. that's the key. I also look at magazines and their ads where women are wearing business attire and see what i have in my own closet that is comprable. sometimes we have the tools and just need the blue prints :)

Answer 5

you need 3 suits
black
chocolate brown
navy or khaki (whatever you prefer)
these pieces can be mixed and matched to create numerous looks by adding a camisole or cardigan. wear a suit skirt w/ a pretty camisole top and a cardigan over it. strappy sandals or wedge heels and *poof* another look.
adding jewelry also changes the look of an outfit.
chunky brown beads w/ a pink button down blouse and your brown suit pants.
once you have the basics you can mix it up w/ accessories to add variety.
hope this helps :D

Answer 6

Shop at a Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill Industries or Salvation Army Thrift store. Rich people get fat, you get good clothes cheap. Trickle down economics:)

Answer 7

Bodybuilders do go every day, but they stagger what they work. Day 1 is shoulders, chest and biceps and triceps. Day 2 is legs, stomach, etc. You want to give your body at least 24 hrs. before working the same area so that your muscles get the full benefit of healing. I like to go every day, but I try and stagger or at LEAST wait 24 hours.

Answer 8

you should just buy things when they are on sale. Don't spend all your cash in one place. Expand your choices . Shop at alot of different malls