Dress for success before you can afford it
Getting a new job is generally a good thing. But sometimes it means buying new clothes you really can’t afford yet. Fortunately, it is possible to look like you’ve spent plenty on your wardrobe without actually doing that.
It’s absolutely essential to understand your new employer’s dress code. “Business casual” does not mean exactly the same thing at every company. Ask detailed questions and observe your co-workers so you won’t invest in clothes you can’t actually wear to work.
The first trick to dressing beautifully and frugally is: ignore the latest fashion trends and stick to styles that are timeless. Don’t buy something that’s going to look “so last year!” in a year’s time. Stick with traditional styles and, most importantly, what flatters your shape and height.
The second trick is: pick items you can wear more than one way. You may not feel comfortable wearing a bright, cheery green button-down blouse every week. But what if you wear it buttoned one week, open with a shirt underneath the next, and under a jacket the week after that? Suddenly it becomes a better investment.
Even better, stick with neutral colors. Earth tones, blacks, whites, grays and muted colors don’t call much attention to themselves. Several versatile pieces in these colors can be worn over and over before anyone will notice you’ve worn them twice.
If you’re difficult to fit, you may have more trouble than some people finding bargains on sale. Don’t be afraid to check out thrift stores – they often sell clothing that still has the price tag on it. Check eBay, garage sales, and even Craigslist. If you absolutely cannot find something that looks good enough for your new job for the amount you want to spend, you may need to spend a bit more but buy fewer pieces. If these pieces are quality and you’ve chosen well, they will last for years, justifying what you spent.
If you’re lucky enough to have a friend who’s about the same size and not a total flake, exchanged borrowed clothes! As long as you don’t work at the same place, it’ll look like each of you has twice the wardrobe you actually have.
One final tip: avoid dry clean only items. Dry cleaning is an expense you don’t need. There’s always something equally nice that can be laundered in a washing machine.
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