Getting A Business Wardrobe On A Budget

With the school year coming to an end in a few short months, the excitement of graduation is just around the corner. Soon you’ll be entering the workforce on a fulltime basis and leaving those textbooks behind. Unfortunately, with the loss of textbooks comes the loss of being able to wear sweats every day. Building a professional wardrobe does not need to be costly and I’m here to help you with some tricks I used when I needed to buy professional clothes for my first job.

Work With What You Have
Taking a look at what you already have in your wardrobe is the first step. Then you’ll know exactly what you need to go out and look for. You may be surprised to find you already have lots of pieces you can work with. Depending on the dress code of your employer, something as simple as a clean, wrinkle free, plain T-shirt can be worn to work if styled correctly.

Blazers and Dress Pants
Set a budget for yourself before you go out and stick to it. That will help keep you focused while shopping. Everyone should own at least one good quality blazer. If you do not have one yet, getting one in a neutral colour, such as black or a dark grey, can take any outfit up a notch. The plain T-shirt mentioned previously suddenly becomes office wear with a blazer over top.

Dress pants or skirts are also a necessity. I recently purchased some very nice dress pants from RW&Co that feel like leggings, they’re absolutely amazing. Being comfortable is important as you’ll likely be sitting at a desk for long periods of time. Find a pair that fits you nicely and that don’t make you hate getting dressed every morning. There’s so much more variety in fabrics and shapes than in the past. Shop around for what makes you feel best.

Buying nicer clothes doesn’t mean a bigger price tag 
Avoid stores that you know are more expensive, like JCrew and Aritzia, and go to stores with more affordable selections. Dynamite, Zara and even HM, have some excellent business attire that won’t hurt your wallet. I recently purchased two blazers at Zara for under $100! They were on sale which brings me to my next point…

Shop Sales
When I go shopping, I head straight for the back of the store ignoring what’s at the front. New merchandise is always at the front and whatever you see in the window is probably not discounted. Most stores have sales or clearance sections at the back and here is where you can score some amazing deals (like my two blazers). If you’re shopping online avoid looking at things that aren’t under the sales tab. A perk of online shopping, is many websites offer extra discounts if you sign up for their newsletter. What’s a junk email address for if nothing else than getting you that extra 15% off?

Discounts
While we’re on the topic of saving money, take advantage of your student discount before you graduate (some schools offer alumni discounts as well!) Whether you have the SPC card or have discounts offered through your school, it never hurts to ask the cashier if they offer discounts. Sure 10% doesn’t sound like a lot, but it adds up fast, trust me.

Thrift Shops
There’s nothing wrong with going to Value Village or any other second hand clothing store to buy clothes. Just make sure that they are still in good condition. You can find lots of brand name clothing at a cheaper price in thrift stores. Speaking of, did you know that in Bells Corners, Ontario there’s a Zellers that’s actually a huge Hudson Bay outlet store? They have amazing sales on everything from clothing, accessories, outerwear, shoes, and more. 2065 Robertson Rd, Nepean, ON K2H 5Y9, you’re welcome.

Classics
When buying clothes it can be tempting to get this season’s styles and trends. But remember, the downside to that kind of clothing is in the name, it’s just a trend. When starting out, it’s better to invest in classic pieces that are going to last over the years. A plain neutral coloured button up, a classic cut dress pant, a tailored pencil skirt, these items will be wearable for years to come. As you build your career and gain more disposable income, you’ll be able to treat yourself to more trendy pieces. But for now, no need to break the bank.

Remember that it’s important to buy things you’ll actually wear. I am guilty of many unworn items in my closet, which is money down the drain. Next time you shop, ask yourself, “do I love this?” If the answer is “no,” then I’m telling you, you’re not going to love it in your closet at home either. And remember to buy quality, it goes along way – literally. If something is cheap but breaks after three wears, you’re going to have to spend more money than you would have in the first place if you’d bought the item that was a bit more expensive and better quality. Shop savvy, shop smart and shop sales!

If you have any questions about this article, student membership or have topics you would like to see in future “Coaching Corner” articles, please don’t hesitate to send a message to students@mpiottawa.ca.

Article Written By Gabrielle Whittaker, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Article edited by Rozanne Lyons, CMP, Intertask Conferences