Welcome to Part II of 5 Tips to Dressing Professionally on a Budget. This shopping guide abides to the previously set ground rules: stick with a uniform of neutral colors and classic shapes, and buy fewer, high quality things.
Pants
For workwear, well-fitted pants are my go-to. Because I’m short, I prefer trouser cuts that are cropped at the ankle or just above. There are a LOT of work-appropriate pants out there, but the cheap ones are often baggy in weird places and are made with uncomfortable fabrics. While I know I’m not offering much variety as to brands, J.Crew is hands down my favorite place to buy pants for work. At J.Crew you can always find classic shapes, neutral colors, and the fabric is just the right amount of stretchy so you can handle sitting at your desk all day. As the weather heats up, a cropped trouser will allow you to show off fun footwear (boots with work pants looks awkward anyway), and you can wear it with either heels or flats.
With boot cut pants for instance, if you wear them with heels they should just barely hover off the ground. There’s nothing worse than seeing one inch of a three inch heel peeking out from under the pant hemline. The trendiest of the choices here would be a wide-leg or culotte-style trouser. This look made waves in fall 2014, and was all over the fall 2015 runway as well. It’s safe to say this trend is not going anywhere soon. Note: I find that J.Crew pants run way big, so buy online with caution.
J.Crew, New Campbell Capri Pant in Bi-Stretch Cotton.
J.Crew, Ryder Pant.
J.Crew, Cropped Patio Trouser.
Tibi, Beatle Menswear Cropped Pants.
Tibi, Pleated Culottes.
Anthropologie, Verso Wide-Leg Trousers.
Shirts
Referring back to my professional dress advice, always buy classic shapes if you’re on a budget. Even if you have to spend a few more dollars to get the classic shape instead of settling for the trend du jour, it is always worth it in the long run. In my opinion, peplum is so out it hurts, and button-downs can always save the day. Button-downs are so versatile, and appropriate in almost any situation or season.
Anthropologie, Lana Buttondown Tunic. Note: Leave it unbuttoned over one of the conservative pant choices above to add some interesting layers and dimension to your look. Add a structured blazer if it’s cold.
Anthropologie, Ashby Buttondown. Cloth and Stone have the best shirts. They are otherworldly soft, have a relaxed fit, and often have a fun structural detail (such as these tails) in the back. I’m warning you now, it’s hard to find a button-down like this that’s loose without looking bulky and unfitted.
Vince, Sleeveless Mixed Media Overlay Blouse.
Dresses
Looking towards spring and summer, the best kind of dresses to invest in now are shirt dresses or wrap dresses. These pieces are easy to layer with a blazer and leggings when its cold, and can be worn with bare legs and flats later on.
Gap, Marled Ribbed Sweater Midi Dress. A knit pencil skirt that hits just below the knees is both comfortable and easy to style. This is a great piece to wear in transitional weather.
Gap, Worker Shirtdress.
Gap, Pleated Shirtdress.
Madewell, Button-Down Shirtdress.
Madewell, Abroad Dress.
Coats/Blazers
No winter or early spring outfit is complete without some sort of jacket. Even if a preppy blazer isn’t your style, a sharp jacket always pulls a professional ensemble together. The perfect blazer is not only a great sartorial investment, but can be key in transforming your outfit from office- to happy-hour-appropriate.
J.Crew, Regent Blazer in Linen.
J.Crew, Quilted Cropped Jacket.
Madewell, Lycée Drapey Blazer.
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Topshop, Petite Double Collar Blazer.
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