The Style and Beauty Doctor reader Arielle wrote in asking: “Hi, I’m just starting out in the professional world, and I have no real work wardrobe…HELP! My office isn’t too strict with their dresscode so I am allowed some creativity (I do marketing). How do I build a functional/creative work wardrobe on a budget?

I’m 5’3 with some curves. I wear nw45 in mac (my skin favors bronze 600 in MaryKay though). My budget? hahaha, let’s just say I’m gonna budget for 1 key piece a month (your financial tips are inspiring btw). Between student’s loan and day to day expenses, I can only put down US$100 per month (I’m in Jamaica). I know it’s not a lot, so I’m just gonna have to take it slow. Work wear – I can wear open toed, we have casual fridays, I don’t go sleeveless in the office (cap sleeves are the farthest I will push it, but that’s personal). It’s a small company and my bosses wear roundneck tees with pencil skirts, pretty voluminous printed skirts with tanks n cardigans, cute knee length dresses. It’s real estate, but they play with separates instead of boring suits. It’s a small family company, so moving up isn’t really an option, however…I want to start dressing with my ideal job in mind.”

Luckily I am the QUEEN of the capsule work wardrobe on a budget. For my most recent job, I bought 5 good quality and stylish suit jackets (at a steal of $19.99 each at a Zara sale about 3 years ago), six pairs of pants (at a buy one get one 50% sale at Express), and a slew of stylish blouses and tanks that I can wear underneath my suits to add character and variety to my work wardrobe. I have a cute shoe wardrobe, but don’t wear my heels often thanks to the jerk who rear ended me a few months back (sorry, I’m still bitter…lol).

Anyway, a cute, casual yet professional wardrobe is certainly attainable on a budget because you can mix and match your few key pieces into dozens of outfits! All you really need is 3 or 4 jackets, 2 or 3 cardigans/sweaters, 4 or 5 pairs of pants/skirts, two or three dresses, and throw in your choice of cute tops and accessories that can be worn alone or underneath your suits and can be worked into your after 5 wardrobe. What you’ll want to splurge on are your shoes because working usually consists of well—work—and you soooo don’t want your feet to hurt you while you clock in 8 or more hours each day. Two to three pairs should suffice—one flat, one simple heel, and one super stylish goes-with-everything shoe.

Work Wardrobe Shopping Tips:
1. Never buy anything full price. In this economy, wait about a week or two and a full priced item is marked down at least 20%. Wait even longer and you could grab it for 50% off. Or buy off-season. Be a persistent coupon shopper—sign up for sites like Gilt Groupe and Hautelook or your favorite retailer so you’re in the know for sales. The internet is a hot bed for sourcing deals so let Google be your friend. Also look for discount shopping outlets near you.

2. Always go for quality over quantity. Well-made items don’t have to cost a ton (especially now that you’re only buying marked down items) and you don’t need a closet overflowing with mediocre pieces. When you have stylish well-made pieces in your closet, you’ll wear them over and over again. Remember cost per wear when deciding on an item: the more wears you can get out of an item, the cheaper it costs each time you wear it (i.e. a $100 pair of jeans that can be worn 100 times or more will cost less than $1 each time you wear them. Even better if you get those $100 jeans on sale for $40 or less). Besides, too much clothing in wardrobe makes it harder to get dressed.

Arielle, based on your body type, age, and budget, I’ve picked out some items for you:

Jackets:

More Sparkle & Fade…

Blouses/Suit Shells:

More Express…

Sweaters/Cardigans:

More Express…

Dresses/Skirts:

More Express…

Pants:

More Express…

Accessories:

More Forever 21…

Shoes:

More Steve Madden…

Bags:

More Mossimo…

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