How to Be Fashionable at the Office While on a Budget

Office fashion doesn't need to be frumpy or boring. When I was in fifth grade, we had this beautiful young teacher who managed to dress conservatively enough to fit into the classroom and yet fashionably enough to have all the boys drooling and the girls dreaming about our own wardrobes when we got older. That's when I first learned that it isn't just what you wear, but it's how you wear your clothing and how you accessorize what you wear.

I like to fashion window-shop on a regular basis. It's fun and educational and keeps me in touch with what's going on and available for the unexpected fashion bargain that will fit in with what I already have. I'm curvy with one of those rare Spring/Autumn pallets which can be difficult to dress. I've learned to be a hunter so that I can actually have a wardrobe worth wearing.

I periodically take everything out of my closet and try it on to see if it actually complements my coloring and shape and to see how many outfits I can make out what I already have. I also check to see if I have orphan pieces that need some mates.

Each season, I make lists of what I'd like to add to my wardrobe. I've learned that studying the fashion magazines helps my list to be more reasonable and less disappointing. I used to put items on the lists that wouldn't be available for several years because they were out of fashion. The magazines help to keep my expectations reasonable. My style isn't classic. But I've been collecting, over the years, my own version of classic pieces that suit me, by shopping through the various fashions and acquiring the pieces as they reappear.

The first thing you need to do is shop your own closet to see what you already have and already like. Then make a list of what needs to be added along with studying the fashion magazines to know what will be available in style, shape and color.

Check the sales circulars to see what is available in your local area. Familiarize yourself with the latest trends and choose the ones that suit you and your existing wardrobe. Decide on what you really need to add to what you already have, then make a list of what you really need and go shopping. Especially keep your eyes open
for unadvertised bargains. Check the clearance racks and the end-caps where there are often special deals. For example, recently I'd seen a cute corduroy skirt at my cousin's store but didn't have the money to buy it. Then on our regular shopping trip to our store, I decided to look for the skirt, which I found. I also found
an entire clearance rack of denim skirts in the same style at half the price. I got a denim skirt instead.

Another point to consider when you're shopping for the office wardrobe is to choose items that are appropriate for the job. 1-Don't go too casual as in torn jeans, baggy t-shirts, shorts or flip-flops. Keep the items tailored or with clean lines. 2-Save the sexy clothing for after work, such as short, tight or low-cut. 3-Put the pizazz in the accessories, like purses, shoes, scarves and jewelry.(Rachel C. Weingarten)

Here are Some Combination Ideas For Fall Back-to-the-Office:

1-Add a pretty sleeveless or sleeved top to a tailored pantsuit and accessorize with a nice pair of tailored pumps and a tailored purse:

2-Pair a pretty tee top with a skirt. Top with a striped or printed cardigan and accessorize with a pair of nice wedges or ballerina flats and a nice but casual purse:

3-Cover a sheath dress with a solid colored or neutral cardigan and cinch with a belt if you wear belts. Add a pair of knee high boots and a matching purse.

4-For the office that allows for casual wear, combine a plaid or printed shirt with dark-rinse jeans and top with a classic cardigan in a solid color, finish with a skinny belt, if you wear them. Add to the outfit heeled booties and a slouchy purse.

5-Combine a pretty feminine blouse with a tailored pair of trousers and complete with a pretty pair of pumps and a feminine purse.(Anthony Verde)

6-Put together a pretty feminine blouse with a tailored skirt and top with a tailored jacket with a nice pair of knee high boots or elegant pumps and a coordinating purse.

Some Suggestions of Choices That Are Available Now:

My selections are from Walmart and Target because they're budget conscious and they offer a decent quality for what you're spending. Most of the career fashion selections at Walmart are only available in-store. Their George and Max lines offer some nice office clothing in tops, pant suiting separates, dresses and skirts which are priced from $10.00-to mid $20.00's. Walmart's best purse and shoe selections are on-line. They've paired up with big name dealers, such as ebags for some of their merchandise. There's a wide selection to suit any need you may have. Target often offers wonderful designer selections for a limited time at really good prices. Many of these items that're listed are available on-line and in-store. All garments can be machine washed and tumbled dry unless otherwise noted. All shoes are available in M width unless otherwise noted:

Sheaths:

At Target you'll find Mossimo® Black's 2-in-1 Cowl Neck Dress in an ebony/gray combo in sizes xs-xxl for $29.99. This A-line dress is sleeveless with a cowl neck. It's a pull-on of 95% rayon and 5% spandex in the top and 70% polyester, 25% rayon and 5% spandex in the bottom.

Target's Mossimo® Black TRS 3/4 Sleeve Boat-neck Dress comes in sizes 6-18 and is available in black for $29.99. It's 62% polyester, 34% rayon and 4% spandex with a 100% polyester lining. The hem is above the knee. The dress has a zip and hook back closure, front pockets and back and front darts.

Norma Kamali Women's Long-Sleeve Wrap-Style Dress, available at Walmart, comes in black and leopard in sizes xs-xxl for $20.00.

Tops:

Target's Juniors' Mossimo Supply Co. Short-Sleeve V-Neck Tee is $7.99 and comes in heather gray, white and ebony.It's made of 100% cotton and has a straight hem.
http://www.target.com/

Target's Mossimo® Black's Flutter Sleeve Top costs $14.99 and is available in blue paisley, peacock purple, cherry, black, ebony medallion and sandalwood.It's sizes are xs-xxl. The top is 100% cotton jersey. It is a V-Neck pullover.

Target's Mossimo® Black's Long Sleeve Cowl Tee comes in gray/black stripe, blue/navy stripe. It's $14.99 and is available in sizes xs-xxl. It's a 60% cotton and 40% modal jersey pullover.

Walmart's Faded Glory Women's Shawl-Collar 3/4-Sleeve Waffle Shirt is $10.00 and comes in s-xxl. It's available in purple combo stripe, Black, Navy, grey, grey/brown and red/pink. It's polyester, rayon and spandex.
http://www.walmart.com/

Walmart's Faded Glory Women's Buffalo-Plaid Roll-Cuff Tunic is $12.00. It comes in purple combo, red check and black/white with sizes available in s-xxl. The shirt has a half button front pin-tuck bib and long sleeves with buttoned, banded cuffs and buttoned tabs at the waist. This shirt is cotton.

Walmart's George Women's Sleeveless Mock-Neck Top comes in sizes s-xxl and is available for $10.00. It comes in white, dark red and black. The sleeveless top has a mock neck and midriff banding. It's fabric is polyester and rayon.

Pants:

At Target you can find Mossimo® Black's TRS Pant which comes in sizes 2-18 for $24.99. The available colors are Gray Plaid, Herringbone and Heather Grey. They have a mid rise with a boot-cut and regular length. They're made of 64% polyester, 34% rayon and 2% spandex. They have a zip and button front closure, two front pocket and belt loops.

Walmart's George Women's Core Pants are $18.00 are available in sizes 6-16 and come in brown and black. They have two front pockets, two back buttoned pockets and two hook and bar closures with a zipper fly. They're polyester, rayon and spandex.

Jeans:

Mossimo® Black Denim Trouser, available at Target, comes in sizes 2-18 and is $29.99. They come in a dark wash and a medium wash.They're low rise with a flare hem at regular length. They're made of 99% cotton and 1% spandex denim. They have a zip and button front closure. They have two front and back button pockets and belt loops.

Walmart Sasson Women's 5 Pocket Skinny Jean is $20.00 in sizes 4-18. It's available in two dark washes, Heatwave Wash and Studio 54. The jeans are cotton, polyester and spandex.

Pumps:

Women's Mossimo® Vida Peep-Toe Pumps, at Target, come in sizes 5.5-10 and are available in black snake, copper snake, wine snake, zebra, black patent and red plaid for $26.99. They have a 4" wrapped heel, 0.5" platform with a peep toe cutout detail.

At Walmart Easy Street Major comes in white, pewter, taupe, brown croco, navy, bone and black patent in sizes 5-12 N-WW. The shoes are made of man-made materials and has a 1 1/2" heel.

Skirts:

Target's Mossimo® Black Trapunto Pencil Skirt comes in black and grey and is $19.99 in sizes 0-18. This skirt is above knee in 62% polyester, 34% rayon and 4% spandex with a 94% polyester, 6% spandex lining. It has a zip and hook back closure, two front pockets Garment a back slit and accent stitching.

Norma Kamali Women's Meg Jersey Skirt at Walmart is available in black in sizes xs-xxl. The skirt is a pull-on style with a left-seam shirring detail and a below the knee length. It is polyester and spandex.

Walmart's Faded Glory Women's Corduroy Skirt is $10.00 in sizes 6-18. It comes in royal, gold, grey suiting and wine. The skirt has two front pockets with a coin pocket, belt loops and a 1-button tab waist with zipper fly. The skirt is cotton.

Cardigans:

Target's Mossimo® Black Long Sleeve Cardigan Sweater comes in turquoise, white, wine, purple and black in sizes xs-xxl at $19.99. The sweater is 52% nylon and 48% rayon. It needs to dry flat. The garment is waist length with a v-neck neckline and button closure.

Target's Mossimo® Black Ultra-soft Boyfriend Striped Cardigan comes in Gold/Gray, White/Black and Cream in sizes xs-xxl at $27.99. It's 58% nylon, 48% rayon jersey and needs to dry flat. It's below waist with a v-neck neckline, button closure and two front pockets.

Walmart's George Women's 3/4-Sleeve Cardigan is $15.00 in sizes s-xxl. It comes in white, black, burgundy and grey. It has bezel-set rhinestone buttons and 3/4-length sleeves. It's nylon and rayon.

Wedges:

Target's Women's Mossimo Supply Co. Winni Round Toe Wedge comes in sizes 5.5-10 and is available
in red patent, black patent, Navy patent and taupe patent for $22.99. It has a faux patent leather upper with 1.25" faux-stacked heels and round toes.

Ballerinas/Flats:

Target's Women's Mossimo Supply Co. Odell Ballet Flats come in sizes 5.5-11 in colors purple patent, blue, brown patent, red, fuchsia print, lime patent, patchwork multicolor-gold, blue print, natural snake, black patent, pewter, zebra, bronze, purple, cheetah print, mustard, ribbon black, multi color tweed, fuchsia and purple leopard for $12.99.

Walmart's Faded Glory Women's Nila Embossed Patent Flats are $11.00 and come in colors brown serpent embossed patent, metallic black patent, silver serpent embossed patent and red serpent embossed patent. The available sizes are 6-10.

Boots:

Women's Mossimo® Kailee Platform Boots, at Target, come in sizes 5.5-11 and are available in brown and black for $39.99. They have a faux-leather upper with a 3.25" faux-stacked heel and 3/4 inch platform. The boot is 15" high with a zip closure.

Target's Women's Mossimo® Kalyssa Ankle Boots come in sizes 5.5-9.5 and colors cognac and black for $29.99. They have a faux-leather upper with a 2.5" wrapped heel.

Walmart's L.e.i. Women's Ashley Velveteen Boots come in sizes 6-10 and are available in Black at $25.00. They have a 3.5" woodgrain heel and a pull-on ankle style with fold-over detail.

L.e.i. Women's Jingle Western Boots at Walmart come in sizes 6-10 and are available in black and brown. The upper is faux-leather with a 2.75" stacked woodgrain heel and a 11" shaft.

Purses:

Target's Mossimo Supply Co. Cross-body purse is $14.99 and comes in black and green. This is a casual purse in cotton with a polyester lining and a soft-sided construction with four slit pockets a cell-phone pocket two zip pockets and a zip closure. It has an adjustable strap and is 11"X 6.25"X 5".

Target's Mossimo Supply Co. Small Hobo is $9.99 and comes in black.This purse is cotton with a polyester Lining. It has a zip pocket, exterior pockets, a cell-phone pocket, a slit pocket and a Zip closure with a shoulder strap. It's 7" X 9" X 1.25".

Target's Mossimo® Black Cross-body is $22.99 and comes in black and brown. It's PVC Plastic with a polyester lining. The purse has a black pleated design with a zip pocket, a cell-phone pocket, an exterior slit pocket and a snap closure with both a short strap handle and a removable longer strap for either casual or dressier occasions. It's 13" X 3.5" X 12".

Walmart's Bisadora Runway Belle Black Patent Handbag is only available on-line and is $24.99. It's design was inspired by the Corvettes of the 1950's. It's a a classic black patent bag accented with a red handle. It has a top zip entry, a pen sleeve, a red microfiber lining, an interior wall zip pocket, polished grey steel hardware and a cell phone slip pocket. The purse has a single flat bright red handle with a 9" drop. The red extends around the sides and the bottom of the bag. The purse is 7.0" x 13.0" x 3.5".

Bisadora Black Patent Bean Bag is only available at walmart.com and is $29.99. This is a curvy bag that is comfortable to carry. It has a top zip entry, a pen sleeve, an interior wall zip pocket, a cell phone slip pocket and a black microfiber lining. This purse rolled double handles with a 6" drop. The handles and trim are black with
gold flecks.The hardware is polished grey steel. It's 7.75"x13x3".

Sources:

Still Lifes By Anthony Verde, No-Stress Work Looks, pp. 124-129, People Style Watch, October 2009

Rachel C. Weingarten, What's Office-Appropriate?, p. 130, People Style Watch, October 2009

http://www.walmart.com/

http://www.target.com/