Upgrading Your Work Wardrobe 101

o, you’ve recently entered the workforce, and your biggest worry isn’t the hours or the pay – it’s that you have nothing to wear! Crafting a work wardrobe can feel intimidating. You want to look polished and professional, but maybe you’re not quite ready to splurge on designer suits and shoes. Don’t worry! We’re here to help you upgrade your style without breaking the bank. 

Dressing for success isn’t just about looking good – it’s about feeling confident and making a lasting impression. As a young person entering the workforce, you’ll want to shop from young professional-friendly brands that will help you build a wardrobe that’s stylish, affordable, and work-ready. Together, we will discuss:

• Must-have pieces for any professional wardrobe
• Budget vs investment items

And throughout we will give you the best brands for each!

The Essentials

Where to Buy Professional Wardrobe Staples that You Can Mix and Match

There are a couple of staples that are an absolute must when curating your professional wardrobe. Think of these as the non-negotiables. 

Building a professional wardrobe doesn’t mean that you need a closet overflowing with clothes. Instead, if you focus on these key staples, you will be able to mix and match pieces to create a polished, professional look with minimal effort. Here are the must-have pieces that every young professional should own:

1. Blazers!

This is an absolute essential for a professional look. A well-fitted blazer instantly elevates any outfit, which is why it is such a great workwear essential. It is easiest to opt for neutral colors like black, navy, cream, or grey. Traditional offerings like crepe or tweed fit are a good place to start. However, once you have your professional wardrobe underway, you could try different materials like linen or a less traditional shade. Brands to look for:

• Affordable: Old Navy, H & M, Kohl's. These are great places to start if you aren’t feeling comfortable splurging quite yet. All of these brands cater towards men and women, and often offer discounts. Always look on the clearance rack for potential finds!
• Pricier: Reformation, Abercrombie, Anine Bing. Clearly, there is a wide-range of prices when it comes to blazers. Later we will discuss more about what pieces are worth spending more money on, but for right now feel free to just search through some of your options!      

2. Classic trousers

A good pair of tailored pants are essential for a sharp, professional look. You can choose from high-waisted or tapered styles for flattering, and timeless, silhouettes. Wide-leg pants are also a comfortable and easy way  also a comfortable and easy way to elevate (and modernize) your look. Again, stick to classic shades like black, grey, and navy. But, also consider adding some pinstripes or plaid patterns if you’re looking for more variety. Brands to look for:

Affordable: Nordstrom, Hollister, J. Crew. These brands have trendy, but affordable, options. They also have a variety of fits and colors to choose from.   

Pricier: Quince, Sir the Label, Vince. There are plenty of places to get high quality, more expensive trousers for the workplace. Consider if you would rather have one or two high end pants, or a couple of less expensive options to style different ways.

3. Button-up shirts and blouses

A crisp button-up is basically the backbone of office attire. However, this is where you can really show your personality through your professional wardrobe. White is obviously a classic choice, but you can choose soft pastels or subtle prints to stand out a bit more. Avoid shirts that are too loose or tight as they can take away from your professional look. Brands to look for:

• Affordable: Banana Republic, Old Navy, Madewell. Once again, these brands have options for both men and women. There are plenty of styles to choose from; patterns, more casual fits, colors, and comfort. These brands allow you to choose many different blouses and button-ups to add to our wardrobe without breaking your budget.  
• Pricier: Ravella, Luca Faloni, Ralph Lauren. These brands offer high end, quality material, like silk shirts. These will fit well and last you a long time. 

4. Shoes

You’ll want to find a good balance between comfort and professionalism, especially if you are at a job that has you on your feet a lot. Some business casual offices may allow minimalist, leather sneakers. Otherwise, consider loafers or flats. These are classic, comfortable, and easy to pair with any outfit. Honestly, these will all be around the same price. Coach, Sperry, and Quince all offer quality loafers in about a $50 price range. Kitten heels are also a great professional shoe choice, but these will tend to have more of a range:

• Affordable: Nordstrom, Marc Fisher. These brands often have sales, which are worth keeping an eye on!
• Pricier: Jimmy Choo, Ralph Lauren. These are high quality heels, but not overly accessible. 

5. A work bag

A lot of thought can go into the type of briefcase you get. In the days of technology, having a structured, stylish bag for carrying your laptop, planner, and other essentials is key. Plus, briefcases are a sign of professionalism and will signify that you, yourself, are a professional. You have a lot of different options when it comes to your work bag. Make sure you choose a color that will match your outfits, and steer away from whites and beiges as your bag may get dirty quickly. Prioritize durability and organization – multiple compartments will be very helpful! There isn’t a huge price range for work bags. 

A very popular bag right now is the Longchamp Tote. This tote comes in a variety of colors, but it is probably safest to choose navy or black. Coach and Kate Spade also offer stylish totes as well as briefcases. It comes down to your preference! 

Mark and Graham offer a sleek, leather briefcase that really exerts professionalism. A leather briefcase is timeless and always a safe option.

Budget vs Investment Pieces

Where to Splurge & Where to Save

Now that we’ve established the essentials, and discussed some different price options for each, we can consider which items are worth the hefty price tag, and which are better to save on.

Building a professional wardrobe doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. The key is knowing which items are worth investing in and where you can save without sacrificing style or too much quality. Let’s start with investment pieces:

1. A high-quality blazer

We established that a blazer can elevate any outfit to have some professional flare. But, why splurge? Well, if you get a neutral color like black or gray, you really only need one or two. Luxury blazers are crease-resistant, which is important for a busy, moving schedule. There is nothing wrong with getting a cheaper blazer through some of the brands mentioned previously, but it is important to note that the cheaper blazers will wrinkle faster and lose their shape quickly. 

If you know you are going to work in the professional world for a while, it is worth getting a high end blazer off the bat. In the long run, you will be saving money by not having to replace it as often. If this job is just temporary, then by all means save some cash! Otherwise, it is worth the splurge. Madewell has some quality options for blazers for both men and women!  

2. A timeless, well-fitting coat

Now, you may not think of a coat right away as a piece to add to your professional wardrobe. However, if you live in a cold climate, this is definitely a worthwhile investment. Your coat will be one of the first things people see, which is why it should make you look polished and professional. Plus, a high-quality coat will last you many years to come. A cheaper, thinner coat will provide less warmth and have to be replaced after only a couple of seasons. Look for wool or cashmere blends for unbeatable warmth and comfort. Aritzia has many different color options of wool cashmere coats, so that you can choose one that will match with all of your outfits, or make you stand out. It is up to you which you prefer!

While these are two options that are worth the investment, it is also important to note which pieces are not worth the splurge when building your professional wardrobe. This includes: 

1. Accessories. Things like belts, scarves, and jewelry are definitely options to refresh your look, but they are not worth breaking your bank over. You can easily shop at Target or Amazon for cheaper accessories that still look amazing.   

2. Dresses or skirts. Not only will you not get as frequent wear out of these, there are also many places where you can find cheap to mid-range prices for basic professional dresses and skirts. There is really no reason to invest in designer items, especially when there are options like Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Calvin Klein, which all offer affordable choices.

3. Trendy items/statement pieces. You should avoid buying super trendy items, especially for your work wardrobe, because they have such a short lifespan. You should focus your attention on timeless pieces; clothing that will last you years into your career. These items are also, typically, worse quality anyways and will lose you money in the long run. Stray away from super flashy, trendy patterns that will go out of style within the year.

Now that you have the knowledge on the essentials and what is worth your money, you are ready to begin building your very own work wardrobe! Remember to invest in timeless pieces that can be worn in different ways. You are all set to take on the professional world, and looking great while doing so!