That Final Touch

Let’s talk about finishing off your office look!

Figure 1: Jewelry purchased from Giant Tiger and Joe Fresh.

The best way to round out your office wardrobe is accessorizing. For men, this can be watches, ties, cuff-links, ascots, etc. For women, these can be statement pieces like scarves, jewelry, purses, and more. I am going to show you a few pieces that I picked up for my office looks. I love a bold earring or necklace. Consider things like the neckline of your top when choosing a necklace. Some earrings may stand out more if you wear your hair up. Everything I picked up was under $20. Check out the jewelry I purchased recently!

Other considerations for the office can be things like hygiene. You want to make sure you appear clean and fresh. Don’t douse yourself in perfume or cologne. Make sure your hair is styled or, at the very least, brushed.

For women, make sure if you choose to wear makeup that it isn’t too heavy. More natural looks can brighten your appearance without being overbearing. Choose one element to pop instead of doing it all. Maybe eyeliner or a bolder lip, but be tasteful. I have provided some examples of looks I have worn myself. Speaking of makeup, you can pull of a really sleek look without having to spend a lot of money, especially if you already own beauty products.

Figure 2: Makeup looks done by Ashley Marshall using Younique and other products.

Now this blog should definitely help you prepare yourself for an office job without breaking that bank. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me and I will give you the best advice I can! Hope you have a fantastic experience out there in the professional world.

The Haul

Happy Thanksgiving!

To ensure that the tips and tricks I have been posting work, I did some shopping of my own. If you are also heading into field placement during your fourth semester, then maybe it is time to consider picking up some new office wear.

Figure 1: Photo taken by Ashley Marshall of shopping purchases.

Before I went shopping, I made sure to have a list of items to potentially purchase as well as my current shoe size, dress size, pant size, etc. This way, I could use my time effectively and make sure that I wasn’t sidetracked by items I didn’t need. I also went with a budget in mind so that I knew what my spending limits were. I made a mental note to check clearance racks for any possible steals to save a few bucks.

The haul included many things that I could use in combination with my existing wardrobe. I combined my newly purchased items with ones I already owned such as jewelry, shoes, blouses, blazers, pants, etc. Check out this gif to see a few looks I was able to create.

Figure 2: Gif created by Ashley Marshall of outfits

The following is a detailed list of my shopping spree:

Dress Shoes - $24 - Giant Tiger

Jewelry - $5 to $12 - Giant Tiger

Jacket - $49 - Giant Tiger

Dress - $18 - Giant Tiger

Fleece Leggings - $10 - Giant Tiger

Cardigan - $25 - Giant Tiger

Dress Pants - $12 - Giant Tiger

Blouse - $14 - Giant Tiger

Sweaters - $14 - Giant Tiger

Camisoles – 3/$10 - Giant Tiger

Plaid Leggings - $25 - Giant Tiger

Purple Blazer - $23 - Giant Tiger

Sturdy Purse - $35 – Chapters

ID Lanyard - $10  - Staples

Jewelry - $14 to $19 – Joe Fresh

Obviously, there is no need to pick up as many items as I have. A capsule wardrobe can range in size depending on your preferences. I bought a lot of staples pieces that I will get great use of once I am on the job. If you picked just a handful of these items up during a haul of your own, you would be well on your way to building your office wardrobe and at fantastic prices!

- Ash xo

The Best Bargain Shops

Hello again!

This week we are going to take a virtual shopping trip! I want to share my top three places to buy office-ready pieces on a budget. A good thing to think about when you shop is that “two-thirds of the time people focus on the upper one-third of the body. Spend your money on dress shirts, blouses, and/or jacket” (Spector, 2018).

Number One: Giant Tiger

This store houses some of my favourite finds for professional attire. You can pick up almost any piece you need from clothing to accessories, and almost always, they are priced under $50. Take a look at the photo below to get a sense of what’s available there.

Figure 1: Photo collage taken by Ashley Marshall at Giant Tiger, Brampton

Number Two: Walmart

Walmart is a store that is easily accessible to everyone, and because there is more than one location in most cities, you can always find your size if one store is sold out. There are lots of business-friendly options for reasonable prices, and maybe even some pieces you would splurge on. Remember, “Stick to classic styles and silhouettes for splurge items. I recommend investing in big-ticket items like leather jackets, coats, blazers and a nice handbag” (Spector, 2018).

Number Three: Talize

Thrift stores can house some amazing finds. I can typically pick up brand name pieces for under $15. Even better, Talize does daily manager specials that allow you to purchase specific items for 50% off! Then you can get the most bang for your buck.

- Ash xo

References

Spector, N. (2018, July 10). How to build a work wardrobe on a budget. Retrieved from NBC News: https://www.nbcnews.com/better/business/how-build-professional-wardrobe-budget-ncna889831

The Capsule Concept

Welcome back!
This week we are taking a closer look at the concept of a capsule wardrobe. Did you get a chance to see what items you own already that are office appropriate? Try answering the poll on the right sidebar of this blog.

Let’s break down the concept a little further. The term “Capsule Wardrobe” was first used in the 80’s by a British boutique owner named Susie Faux. She wanted a way to help women refine their wardrobes and declutter their closets (Bennett, 2017). Owning a wardrobe full of interchangeable pieces will save you both time, and money.

In 2012, Investopedia said “In the business world, how you present yourself is, at times, almost as important as the skills you bring to the table”. This thought should resonate with all of my readers because I know each one of you wants to obtain an amazing position in the business world. First impressions matter, but so does your presence on a daily basis. That is why perfecting an office-ready wardrobe is essential.

A capsule wardrobe can consist of 10 or more versatile pieces that allow you to get ready with ease. You know in advance that all of your articles work together in varying combinations, allowing for a minimal yet effortless wardrobe. Utilizing some basic closet building blocks, you can create your own capsule wardrobe. Next, we will find out where to shop for the best deals on a dime.

 Feel free to check out these videos for more capsule wardrobe inspiration.

Capsule Wardrobe Series – Erin Elizabeth - Real Men Real Style - Art of Manliness

- Ash xo 

References

Bennett, A. (2017, September 14). What Is a Capsule Wardrobe? 11 Essentials to Complete Your Entire Closet. Retrieved from InStyle: https://www.instyle.com/fashion/clothing/what-is-capsule-wardrobe

Investopedia. (2012, April 12). Building a professional work wardrobe on a tight budget. Retrieved from Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/investopedia/2012/04/12/building-a-professional-work-wardrobe-on-a-tight-budget/#110f33c61f0b

Planning Your Purchases

Congratulations on your new office job! You think you are ready, but you find that your wardrobe is not. If you are anything like me, then you are ready to run to the mall and spend whatever it takes to feel prepared for this new endeavour. Wait just a minute! Before you head off on a shopping spree, there are three things you need to consider:

Office Dress Code

The most important step before you shop is to verify the policies for your office. You need to know how formal or casual the dress code is so that you do not purchase items that are inappropriate.

Clothing Budget

Typically, people do not have a large budget at their disposal for purchasing an entirely new wardrobe. The key is to think about what items you need to invest in. Keep in mind that “the general rule of thumb is that your clothing budget should comprise no more than 5% of your income” (Premack, 2018).

Basics Needed

Lastly, you should shop your own closet before picking up new pieces for your wardrobe. You might already have versatile items that you can use.

I have included two videos from Youtube that give you a quick look at some office basics. These rules apply for both professional men and women, so it is important to understand the concept before we discuss building a capsule wardrobe.

Women's Basics - Erin Elizabeth & Men's Basics - Alex Costa

Leading up to my next post, try to make a list of office attire essentials you have, and ones you need to purchase. I will discuss the most cost-effective solutions to building your professional wardrobe.

- Ash xo

References

Premack, R. (2018, July 8). How to dress for your first job without blowing your paycheck. Retrieved from Business Insider: https://www.businessinsider.com/what-to-wear-to-work-on-a-budget-2018-6