With great power comes great responsibility. Landing a “big girl job,” or perhaps an internship, is no exception and typically one of the first tasks at hand is building a professional wardrobe.
For many, college has been a time for tight jeans and crop tops, ripped shorts and bodysuits. Unfortunately however, bodysuits are not the new pantsuits and a major transition will be necessary. It can be difficult to build a totally new wardrobe, especially without breaking the bank. Making a list of versatile staples may alleviate some of cost.
Pro tip: I found half of these things at thrift stores!
1. One slightly over-sized white button up goes a long way, it can be dressed up or down and can be paired with most anything. Even better, it can always be found in a variety of fits at a local thrift shop.
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2. A pair of tapered black dress pants, just like the button up holds potential for a lot of versatility.
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3. Investing in a trendy pair of flats helps avoid looking too casual or too dressed-up while you’re getting a feel for the new workplace. Oh and also blisters.
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4. A polished tote or backpack large enough to store your laptop, planner, or other work essentials helps you stay organized and tie your look together.
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5. Blazers come in all shapes and sizes: picking a basic color that works well over tops that you already have is a good place to start. Plus, picking one that matches your tapered trousers works as a DIY power suit.
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6. The LBD. A little black dress (though not too little) is a work force essential that is polished enough for meetings, but sexy enough for happy hour cocktails.
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7. Silk scarves are always abundant in thrift stores and are a great way to add a bit of color to your basics when you’re working with limited resources.
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Eventually, you’ll score some statement pieces- patterns, pastels, silks. But for now, focusing on landing staple pieces for a business casual wardrobe helps you prepare to join the work force while you get a feel for the offices’ dress code.