Help building a new work wardrobe!
I am... not fashionable. At all. And I'm cheap, and I like to be comfy. But I'm going to be starting a new job soon in an office that's a lot more formal than what I'm used to (I used to work in a jeans-and-t-shirt kind of office, and while my new office isn't a "suit" kind of place, it's business dress) and... I need stuff to wear. I'd like to get as many outfits as possible on a ~$300 budget.
Pertinent details: Age 26, average height, 190 lbs and I carry it mostly in the torso, I have almost no hips, large bust--I'm right in between normal sizes and plus sizes. Size 16/XL in pants, tops, and dresses usually. Lacking hips and with all my weight in the middle, skinny cut pants do NOT look right on me-- boot cut seems to flatter my shape best.
Help me, ladies!
Edited to add: I've hit the thrift stores here without much luck. Picked up a few pieces that I think work, but I'm not really sure how to make them an "outfit" if that makes sense. So I guess I really need some basic insights into how to build a wardrobe.
Posted Jul 31, 2015, 7:59 PM UTC · edited
How much time do you need to put a wardrobe together? If you have some time to hunt, thrift stores can be YOUR BEST FRIEND. I've gotten some really nice, good-quality, brand-name pieces at thrift stores. It just takes time.
Do you have a list of items you're thinking about getting, or are you looking for help developing a good "mix and match" of wardrobe basics?
I'm on a bit of a time crunch-- 2 weeks or so (I don't have an official start date yet). I've hit the thrift stores here without much luck. Picked up a few pieces that I think work, but I'm not really sure how to make them an "outfit" if that makes sense. So I guess I really need some basic insights into how to build a wardrobe--fast and cheap!
This will get you through anything.
If you're having trouble finding dress shirts that fit well, try a knit tank or shell--straps should be at least two fingers wide, for a professional office setting.
Target and H&M are good places to look for basics; you can sometimes score at New York & Company's sale/clearance area; larger department stores like Belk and JC Penney often have some reasonably-priced career basics. And there's always the discount department stores--Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshall's.
Pinterest is actually a pretty good place to look for ideas on building wardrobe basics. The definite thing to do is start with neutrals and then build up from there.
Something like this could give you a good idea of how to take basics and make outfits.
This right here is also a pretty good explanation.
Holy crap, this is amazing! Thank you so, so very much. I'm going shopping tomorrow with your list in hand. I'm actually looking forward to this now!
Additionally, gift card resale websites could save you a ton in buying an entire wardrobe--and NY&C is one of the best deals at 43% off. (Probably not super helpful for tomorrow since you'd have to wait for it to be shipped, but worth it if you're going the mall stores route!)
Hooray! :D