Let’s be honest, figuring out what to wear to work every day, especially when there's a formal or professional dress code, can be a real headache. For years, I felt like I was staring into a black hole of blouses, pants, and dresses, wondering how to create outfits that were both stylish and appropriate. I've definitely had my fair share of "I have nothing to wear!" moments. But over time, I’ve learned a few tricks that have transformed my work wardrobe and made getting ready in the morning so much easier. I hope my experiences can help you too!
I used to feel like I was constantly buying new clothes for work, yet somehow, I still struggled to put together outfits. I had a few blouses, a few pairs of pants, a few dresses, and a selection of cardigans and blazers. Sounds like a decent start, right? Wrong! I was mixing and matching, but it often felt like I was just throwing things together without any real strategy. It was frustrating and time-consuming. I even found myself repeating outfits week after week, feeling like everyone was noticing. I knew something had to change.
One day, I realized that I wasn't alone in this struggle. I started paying attention to what other women in professional settings were wearing. I noticed that many of them seemed to effortlessly pull off stylish and appropriate looks, often with what appeared to be a limited number of items. I realized that the key wasn't about having a huge wardrobe, but about having a well-curated one. That's when I started exploring the idea of a capsule wardrobe.
The first thing I did was assess what I already had. I realized I already owned many of the essential pieces for a professional wardrobe. But they didn't all work together. I needed to find a way to make them more versatile.
I decided to take a strategic approach to my work wardrobe. I focused on building a collection of pieces that could be easily mixed and matched, creating a variety of different outfits. Here's what I did:
One thing I discovered is that people really don't pay as much attention as you think. I haven't bought new work clothes in ages, and I wear the same 10 or so shirts. I do have cardigans in different colors, so I mix up which shirt I wear with which cardigan. You could do the same with blazers, if your work is more formal.
For warm weather, I chose black, white, blue, green, taupe, and burgundy blouses. For cool weather, I opted for knits. I also added a trench coat for spring. This really expanded my options.
I also found that having a few go-to outfits that I knew looked good on me boosted my confidence. I had 5 pairs of pants (Athleta High Rise in black/navy/gray), 3 camis (black/navy/white), 2 blazers (black/navy), 2 turtlenecks (black, dark green) and 3 cardigans (navy, light blue and gray). I also have 3 sheath dresses and two pairs of loafers.
While a capsule wardrobe is all about versatility, it's important to add pieces that reflect your personal style. I love adding unique blazers to my wardrobe. Recently, I found this amazing Gothic Black Chic Women's Blazer Coat from Gracequeens. The ruffled irregularity and zipper details give it a unique and edgy vibe, while still being appropriate for a professional setting.
I really like how it elevates my usual work attire. It's not just another blazer; it's a statement piece that shows off my personality. It's comfortable and fits well, and I've gotten so many compliments on it. It's a game-changer when I want to see best price on stylish and unique pieces.
Before, I no longer worked corporate but I had a rule of thumb, mostly because I had to have items that worked together but also could manage a half mile trek to the lightrail station in multiple seasons. I had 6 dresses (different lengths and sleeves), 5 skirts (pencil and A-line), 8 tops (silk, cotton, and linen), 3 jackets (leather, denim, and trench), 2 pairs of shoes (flats and heels), and 2 bags (tote and crossbody). This combination worked well for all seasons.