Building a Professional Wardrobe on a Student Budget

In my freshman year, I started working at my first job. Before working, I was not too worried about how I was going to fulfill my role. However, I was concerned about how I was going to dress appropriately for the office. I needed to find a way to create multiple outfits to wear to work every week, all while doing it in a way that I could afford as a college student before even getting my first paycheck.

Luckily, my dress code is business casual, but my old high school wardrobe was not enough. I have learned some strategies on how to build a more professional wardrobe that can be used for any dress code.  

Even if you don’t need to dress formally for a job, it is good to have some professional options on hand in case something comes up. Dressing for success is essential for making a good first impression, whether at an interview, networking event, or whatever it may be.  

Despite how obvious it may sound, do not forget to begin by incorporating the articles of clothing you already own. Take a look at what you have in your closet and see what semi-professional or professional outfits you can build.   

Odds are, you probably have at least a blouse, a white T-shirt to layer with, or something similar. If you cannot find anything, think about what you are missing.  

Oftentimes, it is hard to put together a professional outfit without the basics. A closet full of statement pieces might be fun, but it’s not the most practical.  

When going shopping for new clothing, avoid patterns and colors you would not typically wear. Instead, stick to more neutral, basic pieces. Items like black dress pants and a white blouse can be paired with a variety of pieces, creating multiple outfit combinations.  

I find it helpful to put together a list of items you are looking for before beginning to make new purchases. Thrift stores are a great place to start. Buying secondhand items tends to be more affordable than directly from retailers or department stores. Odds are, you find more timeless, closet staples secondhand as opposed to trendy items in stock elsewhere that will go out of style. Also, keep an eye out for ongoing sales. Many thrift stores have weekly sales promotions, such as Goodwill, which commonly has a “Color of the Week” that applies to items with a certain colored tag.  

If you do find yourself at a retail store, be sure to check the clearance rack. Some of my favorite finds have been from the clearance section at a great price. Before checking out, I always like to ask if the store offers a college student discount. It can be as simple as presenting a student ID to a cashier to get a discount on a purchase or quickly verifying online. For instance, H&M offers a 10% discount, and J. Crew gives students 15% off their purchase.  

If your budget is too tight, do some research on local resources. There are special resources that exist specifically for students. For UCF students, the Knights Helping Knights Pantry offers more than just food. They are also stocked with clothing items free of charge to all current students.  

Next time you are in need of a fashion upgrade, these strategies can help simplify the process of acquiring affordable, professional clothing.

• budget
• clothes
• fashion
• Formal Wear
• professional attire
• shopping
• style
• Thrift
• thrifting
• work