Transitioning from college life to corporate life can be a tough thing to do. But having to retire all your denim shorts and sorority tees for button ups and blazers can seem overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. But before you throw out all your leggings, you’ll want to come up with wardrobe essentials that are versatile for both the work place and weekend. To get started you’ll want at least these ten wardrobe essentials by the time you’re 25.
Now, when I say a little black dress, I don’t mean the ones you find at Forever21 for $3 and are a cotton bodycon dress you wore to your twenty-first birthday. I mean a high quality, well fitted, simple black dress. This should be something that you can throw on for any occasion; last minute interview, after work date, funerals and weddings. This is something you will always need, even if you don’t wear it all the time, it’s something that can be your go to when you don’t know what to wear.This is something you’ll want to invest a little more money in, if you get a good fit it can last you years. Places like J.Crew, Express, Lulu’s and New York and Company are where you’ll want to look. Sorry Fashion Nova, but you just won’t cut it for this one.
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No, I’m not just trying to dress you for a funeral. Black dress pants are an absolute wardrobe essential. These, like the little black dress can be worn for literally anything. Although work pants come in many different colors and I recommend getting at least one other basic like navy or grey and one fun color like green or red, black is a must. Throw them on with a sweater for work attire or a sheer shirt when you’re going out to dinner. With so many different frames, you can pick whatever flatters your body type the best. If you want a slimmer cut that hugs a bit more, or a flowey bootcut look pretty much anywhere that sell clothes will have what you’re looking for. Target, H&M and T.J. Maxx are perfect places to look for these without spending a whole bunch of money, so now you have no excuses for showing up to an interview in jeans anymore.
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Whether it’s flats, mules, heels or loafers a pair of comfortable dress shoes will pair with anything. I personally do not like flats, I find them be very uncomfortable so I typically opt for loafers or mules for a work shoe. Loafers don’t always have to be the shoe you see your grandma wear and cringe. Get a fun cheetah print pair that can go with your work pants and with jeans or a suede pair for a more subtle yet classy look. Getting more than one pair so you can rotate them out with save both your feet and having to replace them all the time. Two pairs, a fun and a basic are perfect to getting your wardrobe essentials started. As for heels, at least one neutral like tan or black so you can wear them with any outfit and a heel in a bold color. Nothing makes a what would be boring outfit pop like a red heel.
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Sometimes those cotton sports bras just don’t cut it. If you’re going to transform your wardrobe you have to start with the basics. You can’t have that nike swoosh showing through your white work shirt. There’s nothing worse than tugging at your bra all day or sitting in a meeting thinking about how you can’t wait to get home and take it off. Start by going to Victoria’s Secret or Nordstrom and getting fitted, find your size and the frames that best fit what you’re looking for and then get two basics and two colors. I personally recommend at least three basics since these are the ones you wear literally everyday, and sometimes the nude push up bra you love just won’t go with new top you bought, so options are vital for this wardrobe essential. Like your shoes, the more you get the less frequently you will have to replace them so stock up on these and avoid the dreaded old underwire poking.
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Now, I really wanted to put this as a white button up because I find it to just be a bit more versatile ad classy but I’m sure you’re sick of me picking out what colors you can and can’t wear. A button up is a wardrobe essential in that like many of the options above, it is very versatile. A button up is perfect to throw on in the morning before a meeting, or with leggings and boots for a cozier casual look. Ralph Lauren does it best in showing that a white button up and jeans are quite possibly the most classic look. A white button up you can pair with those new black dress pants for a sophisticated look. Or, if you want something a little more fun than white, opt for animal prints or a bright color.
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You probably already have a few pairs of jeans but jeggings and ripped jeans sometimes won’t cut it. A wardrobe essential you need by 25 are a pair of normal, nice quality jeans. Your super high waisted ripped jeans are perfect for the bars but meeting a professor for coffee, probably not. You want a pair of well tailored jeans that can still be casual, but that your dad won’t ask if you got half off for all the holes. American Eagle and Abercrombie have some good choices but if you want to really invest Madewell has really high quality jeans that are still flattering that you can keep for years. Get a few wash colors and a few different frames, mom jeans can be super cute with a tucked in tee for coffee with a friend and skinny jeans with loafers are an easy look for cocktails with coworkers.
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Listen, it may just be me but I absolutely love turtlenecks, they are probably my most worn item.I find nothing classier. I’m not talking about the hideous all the way to your chin turtleneck your aunt wears to every Christmas. I’m talking about the ones you see on fashion bloggers and say “dang she looks so cute”. Turtlenecks look professional but also give off a little more class than a normal tee shirt. Most turtlenecks are just as comfortable as your long sleeve tee, but when paired with a blazer you immediately look more put together. Turtlenecks aren’t just for winter to be oh so cozy, go with a sleeveless turtleneck for summer for a dressier look than a tank top. I can’t tell you how many friends have called me the night before an interview asking to borrow a turtleneck, regardless of season these are a staple in my wardrobe essentials. Turtleneck, mocknecks whatever you want to call them head over to any department store and get as many as you can before I buy them all.
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It may be 2019 and our phones are basically glued to our faces but there are times where it’s not appropriate to have your phone out. If you’re giving a presentation at work you probably won’t be able to have your phone out but you also don’t want to go over or under the time constraints.
Watches are twofold. 1. They help you keep track time without having to ask someone or without clicking on your home screen every five minutes. 2. They make a perfect practical accessory. Watches these days are just as high tech as you can possibly imagine. With Apple Watches and smart watches taking over you can invest in one of those if you’re tech savvy or if you’re more in it for the fashion and practicality you can go with a basic one. Watches can be expensive, especially the smart watches but you can find cute watches at place like Kohl’s and Target that look professional but won’t cost the same as your rent.
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You can never go wrong with a good blazer. Blazers aren’t just for those working a 9-5 office job. Blazers recently have become something for more than just work wear, they are perfect to pair with a jumpsuit when your denim jacket is too casual. Getting something other than just black or tan gives you a bold outfit that is high fashion but still appropriate. If you want to really step it up get and entire suit outfit. I’m not talking about the suits that all the profilers wear on Criminal Minds, I’m talking a striped blazer and shorts set, or a blazer and mini skirt set in mint green. These are not only going to make you stand out in an interview amongst the navy and black suits you’re competing against but it will make you feel more confident. Every time I have ever worn a blazer I feel much older but also more professional and when you go with a less traditional color you are showing you’re creative and confident. If you’re really ambitious try out a blazer dress. J. Crew, The Loft, Express all will house your basic blazers but if you’re looking for a more out of the box blazer or a blazer set try ASOS, H&M or SHEIN.
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Midi skirts are all the rave right now, but for a good reason. Midi skirts have an old time feel to them that give off a timeless look. This is another wardrobe essential that goes beyond office wear. This is perfect to wear with heels for a night at the theatre or with a tee shirt for a casual yet put together look. Midi skirts you never have to worry about bending over and your skirt is too short, or if your pencil skirt squeezes your thighs too much. Slip midi skirts, pleated midi skirts, high slit midi skirts all give off a modern young adult look. The waiter won’t ask for a second form of ID when you’re ordering your Rose because this look dresses you up and ages you up, in a good way. It’s practical and fashionable and pairs with sweaters for a warm fall look or even sneakers and a tank top when you’re summer sightseeing. Abercrombie, Francesca’s, Anthropologie all have cute midi skirts you can transition from business brunch to date night dinner.
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