Business casual starter wardrobe?

[bimbi284]

Check out Old Navy and J Crew Factory for some nice basics and fun items. Target has also had some nice things.

Sounds like you may wanna get some new pants for sure to start.

Also, how are you doing on shoes? I mostly wear flats, riding boots, or booties to work because I don't find regular pumps all that comfy for work.

I do a lot of dresses with tights, and a lot of layering nicer cardis and Blazers over otherwise more casual stuff to get more bang for my buck.

I recommend checking out the S&B ootd threads for some ideas of what some of us wear to our business casual jobs.

ETA: also congrats on the new gig!

[fashionx]

The J Crew Minnie and Pixie are favorites around here, Old Navy and Target carry similar style pants too. I'd focus on a few good pants -- maybe even the same pant in a few colors, black, gray, tan or olive, and navy. Then multiple tops and a couple nice cardigans or knit blazers to finish the look.

I'm a fan of sleeveless tops and cardigans because I tend to get hot or cold easily in offices so it helps me stay comfortable. I like Loft, Ann Taylor, J Crew, Banana Republic and Gap for nice work tops. Cardis can really be anywhere, Target has tons in different colors.

[RoxMonster]

I would get 2- 3 nice, comfortable, flattering pairs of dress pants. At least one black, one grey, maybe a tan? If not, then a second pair of black. Try places like Target, Express, ON, even TJ Maxx for some that are reasonably-priced.

I'd get a couple comfortable, maybe ponte blazers. Those can instantly dress up an otherwise-basic outfit. A couple blouses, a few non-blouse dressy tops that can be layered under blazers or cardigans.

I personally prefer wearing dresses to pants (even in the winter-I will wear with leggings or tights and boots). Dress Barn actually has some cute work-appropriate dresses for not a ton of money. They have other business attire there, too.

Once you get the basics, you can mix and match.

Monday: Dress pants, cardi, blouse
Tues: Dress with tights/leggings and cardigan
Wed: dress pants, dressy top, blazer
Thurs: Dress with blazer and tights/boots
Fri: Dress pants, blouse, blazer

And so forth and so on. Accessorize with different scarves, necklaces, earrings.

[Nina]

Congrats on the new job!
I prefer to do dresses and tights as well. I usually get dresses from Banana, J.Crew, Loft, Ann Taylor, and sometimes old Navy. It makes getting ready so easy!

You can get some basic dress pants from Limited (the drew is a nice one and they usually have 50% off sales), express (I like the editor), and Banana or J.crew are my favs but may be a bit more expensive than limited or express.

Do you have any outlets near you? J.crew factory, Banana Factory, and Loft are all great places to get work clothes at big discounts. Especially with the after Christmas sales coming up!

[jchokie79]

Check out the Loft too, they're always doing sales and has lot of work appropriate clothes.

[kris356]

This is probably the perfect time to have to shop, I usually clean up after Christmas at places like Banana Republic and J.Crew.

My favorite dress pants are BR Sloan. I have them in black and navy. I also have J.Crew Minnies. I agree that dresses with tights and boots/booties is one of my go-to looks. It is easy (one piece) an throw on a cardigan or blazer and off you go.

[pbandj]

I am going to probably repeat what most of the pp said:

Get two pairs of dress pants - black and khaki or grey
I like LOFT, Banana Republic or J Crew/Factory. Depending on size/fit.

A few nice work tops. For cheap tops, you might find some in JCPenney in the Liz Claiborne section during the after Christmas sales.
Alternate with a few cardigans or blazers. I like the ones from the loft and jcrew factory.

If you are looking for casual blazers, I like the H&M ones and this one from Kohls. They are a jersey fabric and can go over dresses or dressed down with jeans.
www.hm.com/us/product/62853?article=62853-D
www.hm.com/us/product/36497?article=36497-B#article=36497-A
www.kohls.com/product/prd-2171368/lc-lauren-conrad-ponte-blazer-womens.jsp?color=Charcoal%20Gray

[soso]

Congrats! Loft is great for transitional clothes -- I suggest sticking with one color palette so everything mixes and matches. For me, I wear primarily black, white, grey and ink blue. I also make sure even if it is basic, it fits my personal style so I can wear it outside of work.

I agree with checking out your shoes -- new shoes make any outfit look so much better. Start with a pair of flats and a pair of heels; for me I like leopard since they match all my stuff.
I suggest a skinny/straight leg ankle pant and a trouser pair; a few blouses that are wash and wear, a could cardigans (I like long drapey ones but you may prefer button styles etc) and a few short sleeve tops to wear under the sweaters -- dress t's etc.
I just did this and feel totally set with all of the above.

I also suggest ruthlessly going through your closet and getting rid of "tired" clothes -- so you don't pull them out, put them on and then feel like crap. Good luck!

[brooke77]

I'll ditto PP's and add that when I start a new job, I buy very little until the first weekend. I like to get a feel for what people wear before I buy too much. Business casual means so many different things in different offices. For example, my last three firms have all been "business casual" but it has been interpreted very differently - anywhere from leggings to suits.

I love J. Crew Factory, Express Factory, Old Navy, Nordstrom for my work wardrobe. I mainly buy a neutral skirt and more fun tops.

Congrats on the new job!

[magdala]

Basics from the beginning - Five good outfits so that you are only washing once a week. If DD doesn't spit up on my pants/topper, I will rewear them so that means three pants, five shirts and three toppers (cardigan, pullover or blazer). My office is freezing so dresses don't work for me.