SAHM going back to work. Help me shop for work clothes!

[catpagmo]

I am returning to work in a couple of weeks. I need serious help! I need to shop for a new work wardrobe, but am overwhelmed with all the options. I haven't worked in over 7 years! I pretty much need everything. What are key pieces that will be versatile? I'd like to get decent quality, that will last for several seasons.

I'm thinking I will need:
Pants
Skirts
Sweaters or nice shirts
Shoes (pumps/boots)

What else?

Also, where should I shop? I was going to go to Nordstrom. Is Banana Republic good? Ann Taylor?

[firstbaby]

What is the dress code like? Formal, business casual, etc?

[fivi2]

I used to buy a lot at Ann Taylor, but don't go there as much now. They usually have nice stuff. I also look at places like TJ Maxx or Marshalls for separates that I can wear. And believe it or not, I found some decent stuff at The Limited when I went back to work. Some of their stuff is kind of cheap and junior-ish looking, but they also had cute jackets and blouses. They weren't too expensive and fine for my business casual office. (I should mention that I tend to shop on a budget :) )

Department stores scare me, so no help there, but I am sure you can find nice clothes in them!

[abh5e8]

ours is more business casual then formal, and this fall i am loving the pencil skirts, both wool and corduroy from Jcrew. i wear them with flats or tall boots, sweaters (cardigan or turtleneck) and sometimes a scarf.

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/skirts/pencil/PRDOVR~47314/47314.jsp

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_special_sizes/size16/skirts/PRDOVR~28387/99102470485/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~~~20+17+4294967041~15~~ ~~~~~/28387.jsp

[smiles33]

Since you are a BBBer, I suspect you want to get great value for your money so think about higher quality materials/brands but at good prices. Do you have a Nordstrom Rack, Loehmanns, Off 5th, Filene's, or other outlet type stores with nice business clothes? I'd also check TJMaxx and other outlet stores like BCBG, Max Studio, etc. Just keep in mind that many business appropriate clothes seem to be dry clean only nowadays so you need to factor in that expense when you buy the item!

I don't follow fashion trends, but I find that some solid basics can be dressed up with accessories. So i invest in good black pants, nice cardigan sweaters, dresses and skirts. For example, I have dressy (meaning work-appropriate) black trousers that are years old and I only replace them when I find a great deal or when they are faded (machine washable ones eventually fade) or shiny/worn from excessive dry cleaning.

I like brands like Max Studio, Theory, Ralph Lauren, Tahari, and Calvin Klein for pants, jackets, skirts, and dresses. For tops,I often buy cheaper brand names just to get the latest styles (TJMaxx has Kenar tops that are cute and usually under $30).

Since you didn't mention suits/blazers/jackets, I assume you are in a business casual environment. I'd plan on dressing in layers--you may be stuck in a super cold or overheated office where you can't adjust the thermostat.

Also, for shoes, I personally opt for dressy flats or lower heeled shoes (under 2") as I feel like the 3" and up heels are too dressy for my business casual office. They also strike me as less professional, in the sense that they are more fashionable than practical. I know opinions vary on heel height, so I'll just say that this kind of presumption may not apply in all office workplaces and YMMV.

Good luck with your first day back in the office and hope it goes smoothly!

[LMPC]

I've picked up some nice skirts and dresses from Boden's sales. They are business casual without being too frumpy. For some of the busier prints, I'll throw a solid sweater on with it to tone it down a bit. GL!

For example...
http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Clearance/Womens-Skirts/Knee-Length-Skirts/WG399/Womens-Sateen-Pencil-Skirt.html?NavGroupID=13
or
http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Clearance/Womens-Skirts/Knee-Length-Skirts/WG410/Womens-Printed-A-Line-Skirt.html?NavGroupID=13
in purple

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Clearance/Womens-Dresses/Knee-Length-Dresses/WH276/Womens-Ruched-Waist-Jersey-Dress.html?NavGroupID=4

[catpagmo]

Yes, I forgot to add that the dress code is business casual! These are great suggestions. I especially love that JCrew wool pencil skirt. I found a helpful link over at YLF that had guidelines for how many pieces you need (when starting from scratch), and how to put it all together. Here's the link in case anyone else is in the same boat as me:

http://youlookfab.com/2011/03/24/building-a-professional-wardrobe-capsule-for-less/

There is lots of great info over there. Thanks ladies! I've got a lot of shopping to do!