I recently impulse splurged on a completely impractical, romantic dress of my dreams that I love to pieces (who knows why – it’s not logical and yet it is) and that I’m fairly certain Mint.com will angrily email me about once it gets its act together (takes some time….). However, getting the luxurious silk dress in the mail (it’s just at the infatuation stage, can’t you tell?) made me think about my closet in general….and that led to some possibly dangerous conclusions.
When I first began working and got my first couple of paychecks I read up on creating a budget. A few mistakes and miscalculations later (all good ones) I figured out what I could spend on clothes. So with an amount in my head I, what else, hit the shops.
I can’t tell you how much $10 at Nordstrom Rack and $50 at Banana Republic multiplied to hundreds. I can’t even say I liked all that I bought. But here are a couple of thoughts:
- never buy anything that doesn’t fit unless you have a sewing machine at home and know how to use it;
- don’t buy clothes just to have more;
- go for quality fabrics that flatter – like cotton, silk and wool (not to mention cashmere, but it’s 94 degrees here so the thought of wool and cashmere is….)
- remember the return policy.
I began to realize that I could indulge my (tragically) expensive taste (a little) if I just held off on the cheap impulse buys that went to waste in my closet. Along with that, I began to hone a more “me” style that tried to stay away from too many trends. Partially because I did have a lot of student clothes and needed more work clothes, I just spent hours researching what I would need, what I would be comfortable wearing, and what could last (and where to get it at a good price).
market research is key
so is experience
My key to a healthy work wardrobe? Staples, as follows:
- A black suit (skirt, preferably)
- A neutral blazer (black, navy blue, grey, and ugh, beige)
- Two to three neutral slacks
- Two to three neutral pencil skirts (or a-line)
- Two lbds that are office appropriate but different from each other
- Black pumps and nude pumps (style of your choice)
- Some fun tops and dress of your choice (though, appropriate, natch)
Accesorizing is key.
So, don’t be fooled by the sale sign but definitely take advantage of them when useful, invest in quality lightweight wools, cottons and other such sartorial marvels. Above all, look for great fit and love what you buy, it will make waking up every morning that much better.
A Plus
Petite et Belle
