Every Wednesday, I’ll (try) to post up a Simple Living Tip, with an emphasis on tips that can be done while living a more traditional 9-to-5 life.
Since this series is supposed to be geared toward worker bees, I had to write a post about the work wardrobe.
Here are my best tips on simplifying dressing well for work:
- Pick your outfit the night before – Nothing causes more headaches than trying to decide what to wear at 7 a.m. Always have a light jacket or cardigan handy in case the weather is cooler than expected.
- Forget the crisp white shirt, or don’t buy high-maintenance clothing – For me, nothing is harder to upkeep than white blouses and cashmere. After a few washes, my formerly crisp white shirts always look drab and rings around the collar are a pain to get rid of. While I like the feeling of cashmere, moth holes inevitably appear after a few seasons (despite my best attempts to keep them clean before storing them in airtight containers with cedar blocks). I also hate handwashing cashmere, which I feel that I must do in order to preserve them well.
- Stick to one main wardrobe palette – It’s easier if all your clothes match blacks and grays so that you don’t have to buy brown shoes/boots. I don’t follow this rule because, well, I love brown shoes and boots.
- Get a work “uniform” – At some point, you’ll realize that certain outfits work better on you. Dresses are an easy solution. Even if you’re not a dress person, it’s a good idea to have a few work-appropriate dresses (like wrap dresses) that you can always wear when you’re having trouble deciding on an outfit.
What are your best tips for keeping a work wardrobe simple yet stylish? Please do not say that clothing is an investment. It is not. Don’t argue with me on this one!
Oilandgarlic's Blog 
When I came back to work after maternity leave, I had to buy an entirely new work wardrobe. I started by picking basics, primarily in black and grey (mostly grey; I’m not a huge fan of black–particularly black pants). So I bought two pairs of grey slacks, one grey skirt, one black skirt (but it’s a skirt! not pants!), and two grey dresses. Then I bought a variety of tops in different colors, so that I could easily mix and match. The basics need to be dry cleaned, but the tops are all wash-and-wear. And they’re knits, because I do not have time to iron. Even if I wanted to, which I also don’t.
I meant to expand my wardrobe a bit, but a year later I still haven’t.
Also, your #1 is key for me. Spending five minutes doing this in the evening somehow saves me fifteen minutes the next morning.
I try to find skirts and pants that are timeless. Pencil skirts and nice slacks in khaki, black and grey are essential; then I just focus on a nice top and popping in some accessories.
Most of my tops are wash and wear, too. I have some nicer blouses that need to be drycleaned or ironed. I never wear these because I hate ironing!
I felt like I had to expand my wardrobe after maternity leave also due to size changes but I never got around to really revamping my wardrobe and I admi that things are looking a bit worn-out! Luckily fall usually inspires me to shop and I am more focused now on buying comfortable, timeless pieces.
CLOTHING IS AN INVESTMENT. I just wanted to be annoying.
I hate work clothes. Hate the whole song and dance. I used to wear dresses but since I started taking the train and walking more, I’ve been wearing pants more frequently. I always feel like I’m in drag–it’s just so artificial. Give me a stained t-shirt and yoga pants, please and thank you!
CF — I agree with you up til the stained t-shirt! Yoga pants yes, t-shirt yes, stains no!
I ❤ grey and black, but I still like browns for the summer. I feel too dark showing up in constant black/gray in the summers.
To me, "hand wash" usualy means gentle cycle and "dry clean only" means it is dirty. 🙂
I don't ever pick out my outfit the night before, but it really depends on what you consider an outfit. I put on work pants, pick out one of my tops, and add a cardigan then maybe earrings. To me, that is just clothes – a pulled together outfit might require some forethought.
SP — I hear ya. I like lighter browns/khakis for summer. It’s just cooler and more comfortable for hot CA weather.
I had planned to move toward browns for summer, but a lack of time and appropriate footwear kept me from it. Maybe next summer!
Or maybe today, since a lunchtime shopping trip to Ross netted me two light brown sweaters (one pullover, one cardigan/jacket) and a pair of dark brown pants.
I’m amazed that you found so much good stuff in one shopping trip. It takes me way too long to find items and then try them on!