Looking Good At Work – Save Money on Work Clothes

Looking professional and feeling comfortable at work is important but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some simple tips to save money on clothes for work.
 
Take Inventory of Existing Clothes
 
Before heading to the shops to purchase new clothes take a trip into your closet and make an inventory of items. This way you will see what should be purchased and you may be surprised at the available outfits that are hiding in there. If there is a definite glut of black pants hanging up, then when shopping steer clear of the black pants rack.

Likewise if there isn’t a white blouse to be seen in the closet, then put white blouse on the list of potential purchases.
 
 
While taking stock of the closet roll up your sleeves, be creative and mix up combinations of old standbys to reveal new outfits. It may be a surprise to see what is lurking in the dusty corners of the closet begging to see the light of day. Drag out that basic black skirt and dress it up. It can go a long way to create titillating work wear. It can be combined with a bold red blouse, a sloppy thick sweater or match it with a tailored black blazer that would be perfect for an executive luncheon.

 
Mix and Match Clothes
 
Being clean and tidy is important no matter where you work. Make it look like you have a walk in closet full of different wardrobe collections by mixing and matching pieces from one suit. It is easiest to mix and match clothes that are of a solid color. If you do not have one already, purchase a blazer, pants and skirt of one color and then a different outfit can be made by switching up different tops, sweaters and shirts combinations with pants, skirt and blazer.
 
For example you can wear a different outfit every day by alternating 2 shirts, pants and skirt:

• Monday - Black pants, black blazer with shirt A
• Tuesday - Black pants, black blazer with shirt B
• Wednesday - Black skirt, black blazer shirt A
• Thursday - Black skirt, black blazer shirt B
• Friday (dress down day) – Jeans, sweater, shirt A
 
By color blocking clothing items it can make a different suit each day of the week.
 

Shop Out of Season
The best time to save money on clothing deals is when stores are offering seasonal sales. This is when department stores and women’s shops make room for the new seasonal trends. As the new season steps in, trek out to visit the last season’s sales items. It may even be worth the visit to stock up on next seasons clothing.
 

Buy at Thrift Shops
Consignment stores and thrift shops have had a bad wrap as being dingy places that are ‘beneath them’. Considering some of the great discounts and quality clothing that can be purchased consignment stores are becoming acceptable locales to purchase trendy and retro styles.
 
Resist Designer Clothes
Sure those designer $200 jeans look and feel fantastic but jeans can also be purchased for significantly less at a local shopping mall. Finding trendy knock-offs rather than expensive designer bags and shoes can save a bundle on a wardrobe budget.