Shopping at New York & Co

So, you just started a new job and need to wear business attire - you are not of that lucky group of employees that can dress casually to work (or maybe this is a good thing if you like dressing up).

The point is, after taking a quick survey of your closet, you realize you are in desperate need of some basics and quick pick-me-ups that are suitable for the office yet still trendy and more importantly, won't send you reeling into debt.

Major department stores such as Macy's, Nordstroms or JC Penney have a lot of career basics that are boring, stiff and usually have horrible cuts. Incidentally, they are items that you would not want to be seen in outside of work.

Stores such as Express have nicely cut pants and blazers. However, pants generally start at $80 and jackets are usually over $100. Thus, if you have a budget set for yourself, you will not be able to afford many pieces within your budget. Not to mention you are mostly paying for the label name since there are other stores that offer similar pieces at a lower cost.

So, if you want trendy work pieces, try shopping at New York & Co. which carries a variety of basics plus other, trendier prints and cuts that will update wardrobe pieces you may already have.

The store's work pants, are very similar to the Express pants. In fact, if you find the right cut and size, when on, the pants look exactly like the Express work pants.

The 7^th Avenue straight leg cut is probably the best. However, New York & Co. also offers flare and wide leg cuts too. Plus, the pants are regularly priced at $39.50, but the store often runs promotions that could knock the price down further.

The material may not be as thick as the pant material at Express. However, you can't beat the price and if properly cared for, the New York pants can last just as long. Plus, as we approach warmer months, it's better to have a lighter, polyester blend material (if you also wear hosiery underneath).

In addition to dress pants, New York & Co. also sells fully lined blazers that match their line of dress pants. The blazers cost around $59.50 for the basic black.

If you want to have some other key wardrobe pieces that stand out, the retail store also sells a variety of sweater dresses in grey and black. Most people think sweater dresses can be boring. However, they can be dressed up with a bright scarf or handkerchief plus nice bag and shoes. Thus, you can wear these types of dresses many times and constantly be changing the look based on what shoes or scarf you wear with it. These sweater dresses are around $49.50.

New York & Co. also sells wrap dresses in a variety of prints that range from conservative to loud and colorful. It's best to go with conservative unless you know that loud and colorful will work in the office you are at. The wrap dresses generally are between $49.50 and $59.50.

Aside from these main items, you may want to pick up basics such as tanks and the company's body shapers line (which can be worn under sheer tops or sweaters. Tanks can be worn under suit jackets or sweaters as well.

Generally speaking, you can dress up your wardrobe and spend around $250 at New York & Co. whereas you can't do the same at a store like Express. Plus, you can find trendier pieces which you cannot do at major department stores.