business casual clothing

[goodygumdrop]

Hello!
I don't go here, but I am hoping you ladies will be able to help me out!

I have worked in a hospital for the past 8 years and have always worn scrubs. Besides an outfit to interview in I don't have any business casual outfits to speak of and have just been offered a job in an office where I will have to wear such attire.

If anyone can help me with stores they like to shop that sell quality clothing, or even an outfit for inspiration that would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[dottyblue]

I love Talbots and J Crew/J Crew Factory for pants and pencil skirts. I have pants from Talbots that have lasted me YEARS of weekly wear. Wools are going to hold up longest and not wrinkle as badly as cotton/twill/chinos.  Talbots' seasonless wool pants are fabulous.

Business casual can vary from blazer and slacks (not a suit set) to khakis and button down for some business places. I like a polished pair of slacks, a blouse/shell and cardigan or blazer, but I work in a more-formal-business-casual office.  Pinterest is great for ideas. (see below)

I would probably start with a couple of pairs of pants and some cardigans until you get a feel for your new office's "business casual" and stock up from there.

   

[goodygumdrop]

Thank you dottyblue! That was helpful

[bugandbibs]

I'm a nurse, and on days when I wear "real" clothes to meetings/trainings I usually wear dresses from Lands End or cardigans with slacks. I can usually find clearance dresses from Lsnds End for around $30 and it's a complete outfit with a neutral cardigan or jacket. I like that their dresses mostly all have pockets and are thicker, non-clingy fabric.

[cabbagecabbage]

What sizes are you? If you're standard 0-12 regular, you have your pick of places. I always liked Loft and Banana Republic for basics. I buy seasonal pieces and non-basics at places like Ross, Nordstrom Rack, Old Navy, thrift stores.

Also, what is business casual in this setting? Does it mean practically a suit or are Capri pants and flip flops are fine? I've worked in settings that called themselves business casual but had vastly different norms.

I'd start my wardrobe with a few basics: dress pants in a couple colors, a couple skirts if you wear skirts (knee length and simple pencil or a-line in solids), a blazer and a couple cardigans in colors that match many things. Flat or low heeled closed toed shoes in tan/cognac and black.

I could start with that and use my existing shirts or tops and jewelry to add enough variety at first.

[Deleted]

I was in this situation a year ago when I transitioned to regular clothes after years of scrubs.  It takes some time to build up a wardrobe and see what works best for you.
Like the others mentioned, get about 5 bottoms (pants/skirts) to start with.  Tops and cardigans are the easiest things to vary.  I find stuff at Marshall's, Old Navy, Target, Kohl's, Loft (plus size--Torrid and Lane Bryant).  Ditto bugandbibs on Lands end for some nice dresses.

I happen to wear a long lab coat so I usually end up taking off any cardigan or blazer that I wear into work and swap to my lab coat. 
Shoes are a whole other ballgame.....I love shoes yet they are an issue when you're on your (wide) feet and desire to look cute.