Work clothes - help

[mackmama]

I am returning to work, and my current wardrobe consists of SAHM loungewear. I need help! Where can I get some good but *fashionable* basics that won't break the bank? I am thinking two nice pairs of pants, two blouses, and some type of blazer to start. I already have some skirts. I do not want a traditional boxy blazer but something fashionable, feminine, and neutral. I'm also hoping to do most of this shopping online since I just don't have time to go shopping right now. So -- any suggestions on where to look or what brands would be good? In terms of price, I'm thinking on the level of Nordstrom's. Dress code is business casual but on the conservative side.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Could you do cardigans instead of blazers?

Banana Republic for staples. Loft and Limited too.

[westwoodmom04]

What's the dress code like -- business casual, or more or less formal?

[mackmama]

I'd say business casual but a bit conservative. Still room to be fashionable though. :)

[westwoodmom04]

Dresses are good for the summer, with a cardigan or blazer for air conditioning. I liked the J Crew suiting series (mostly the dresses but have some pant suits from there as well -they are often on sale), Boden dresses, at Nordstrom, I think the Classique Entier and Halogen lines give good value for the dollar since they are in house brands. If you have a Talbot's outlet nearby, they often have incredible deals on suits and work pieces if you like their style, their stuff has gotten a bit more tailored in recent years. Similarly, Nordstrom Rack often has a lot of higher end work clothes and separates.

[hillview]

I'd call Nordstroms get a personal shopper. give her a budget per outfit and what you are looking for. I just got a suit there from Hugo Boss with a skirt, pants and dress that all work with a blazer and I got 3-4 blouses I can wear with the pants/skirt. I can travel with these items and a wrap for a week and be good.

[twowhat?]

BR for staples. J Crew for suiting. And I recommend a couple of knit blazers:)

[mackmama]

BR for staples. J Crew for suiting. And I recommend a couple of knit blazers:)

Know of any cute knit blazers? I can't find any.

[twowhat?]

Know of any cute knit blazers? I can't find any.

I know, so did I. Ugh. Nordstrom used to have some nice very reasonably priced ones - Olivia Moon. But I can't find them anymore. I also have a couple from Banana Republic, one of which is a very nice structured ponte knit that totally can pass for a regular suit jacket but I can't find any there either! I hope they're not going out of style because I LOVE them - so easy to dress up or down depending on the color, weight, and fabric. The heavier ponte knits are more dressed up and the lighter jersey knits can be more dressed down but still a notch above a cardigan. And as comfy as a cardigan, too!

I will let you know if I come across any.

[arivecchi]

I stick to Boden, theory and vince. I get vince and theory on sale online @ nordstrom, Saks, Neiman, etc. I have a jersey knit blazer from nordies.


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[arivecchi]

Oh I also have some cabi for work.


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[mackmama]

I stick to Boden, theory and vince. I get vince and theory on sale online @ nordstrom, Saks, Neiman, etc. I have a jersey knit blazer from nordies.


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Can you link to your blazer? I forgot about Theory - love them.

[mackmama]

Oh I also have some cabi for work.


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Haven't heard of this brand before... off to google them, thanks!

[kaitlyns.mom]

My new job is business casual as well. I focused on a few pairs of dress slacks, two pencil skirts, and cardigans with cute tops. I have two blazers but don't wear them... no one in our office does. I made sure to get some cute long necklaces from Forever 21 because they really help me feel more pulled together. The pencil skirts are both from LOFT, and the pants are from BR and Limited. Cardigans are from LOFT and BR Outlet. I bought a couple at H&M but I'm not crazy about their appearance/texture after being washed. I found some super cute tops at H&M and LOFT.
I'm also loving this website for outfit ideas. It really sold me on the idea of cardigans and pencil skirts. ;)
http://www.outfitposts.com/search/label/Occasion%3A%20Work#.U2rfHY2aFDk

[arivecchi]

Can you link to your blazer? I forgot about Theory - love them.I think it is caslon. It's a stripped one that i wear in the summer.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/caslon-womens-coats?origin=leftnav

[mackmama]

I think it is caslon. It's a stripped one that i wear in the summer.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/caslon-womens-coats?origin=leftnav

Thank you - this looks perfect!! I think I'll go with one of the solid colors since I'm a spaz about coordinating stripes.

[citymama]

I would do Banana Republic.

Boden's quality just doesn't cut it over time for the $$ spent IMO.

[mackmama]

Thanks, all. I went on a bit of a blazer-blitz. Not sure I need 4 blazers, but I kept finding ones that I like. Once I have them all (some ordered on Gilt), I will try to narrow it down to 2 which should be enough. Now I just need a pair of nice pants. I have such an aversion toward shopping for black pants. They seem so boring, and yet at the same time I'm having a hard time finding any that aren't zippered or too fitted or cropped or something else too trendy. So strange thinking about work clothes again. I used to have such a nice work wardrobe and donated all of it after DC was born. Short-sighted apparently.

[abh5e8]

ooo....i wish i had some links :) please!! i am trying to build my work wardrobe as well. i have some pencil skirts and a line skirts and some elbow length sweaters for summer, but i think a blazer would be a good addition.

[mackmama]

Happy to share! Here are the blazers:
http://www.rebeccataylor.com/sale/tweed+twill-blazer/invt/rt013529j628

http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=21&pageId=1&productId=570107484&viewAll=true&prd=Seasonless+Stand+Collar+Jacket&subCatId=&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=4&catId=cat210004&cat=Jackets+Coats&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=

http://robbi-nikki.fashionstylist.com/robbi-nikki-damask-jacquard-blazer-q.html

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/caslon-cotton-knit-jacket-regular-petite/3594130?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Black%2F+Ivory+Stripe&resultback=151&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_1_A (tan)

What elbow-length sweaters have you found?

[abh5e8]

i really like this sweater:

http://factory.jcrew.com/browse/single_product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=8455 24441833171&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302075464&nav_type=FACTORY&bmUID=kmOamMH

I'm not usually a fan of the jcrew factory line, but this is a nice cotton, light weight and so far, washes well (only washed once). the sleeves are not all the way down to my elbow, but pretty close.

thanks for the links! i would love a knit blazer. my office is pretty casual, so no real need for a true blazer (I own only 1 suit, skirt/blazer, and wear it maybe once a year) but I would like something other then a sweater for the air conditioning season.

[twowhat?]

I think it is caslon. It's a stripped one that i wear in the summer.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/caslon-womens-coats?origin=leftnav

Crap, now I'm drooling over that deconstructed herringbone knit blazer...

OP, you might look at Boden's ponte roma pant. It is a weighty but stretchy fabric, washes incredibly well and is super quality. It has more coverage than leggings and is along the lines of skinny pants. Depending on your proportions and how it fits you, you might be able to wear them with longer cardis or with your knit blazers and a longer shirt layered underneath. They are SO comfy and I honestly hate sitting all day in regular suiting pants or stuff that doesn't have enough stretch. I have them in a smaller size (for wearing with boots) but if you size up so that they fit just a bit looser, they'd be great with lots of things! Love the thick, smooth fabric, and the fact that they have real side pockets to stick phone or keys when you're up and about. And they're on super sale! I might need another pair! I have the navy and it's a perfect shade of navy, not too dark.
http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Pants-Jeans/Pants/WM346/Womens-Ponte-Roma-Pant.html

[arivecchi]

I ordered the herringbone one :)


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[mackmama]

Crap, now I'm drooling over that deconstructed herringbone knit blazer...

OP, you might look at Boden's ponte roma pant. It is a weighty but stretchy fabric, washes incredibly well and is super quality. It has more coverage than leggings and is along the lines of skinny pants. Depending on your proportions and how it fits you, you might be able to wear them with longer cardis or with your knit blazers and a longer shirt layered underneath. They are SO comfy and I honestly hate sitting all day in regular suiting pants or stuff that doesn't have enough stretch. I have them in a smaller size (for wearing with boots) but if you size up so that they fit just a bit looser, they'd be great with lots of things! Love the thick, smooth fabric, and the fact that they have real side pockets to stick phone or keys when you're up and about. And they're on super sale! I might need another pair! I have the navy and it's a perfect shade of navy, not too dark.
http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Pants-Jeans/Pants/WM346/Womens-Ponte-Roma-Pant.html

Love these- thank you! Let me know what you think of the jacket when you get it. :)


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[arivecchi]

OP, I love the jacket I ordered. Have been wearing it a lot these past few weeks as it is super versatile. Wore it during a trip to Boston as well as to work and the movies!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/caslon-herringbone-pattern-knit-jacket/3512482?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=1008&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-undefined_3_B

[mackmama]

OP, I love the jacket I ordered. Have been wearing it a lot these past few weeks as it is super versatile. Wore it during a trip to Boston as well as to work and the movies!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/caslon-herringbone-pattern-knit-jacket/3512482?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=1008&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-undefined_3_B

Nice! I'm loving my new blazers too. I just wore one over a sundress with some funky boots and felt all chic and fun-- not what I usually associated with the word blazer!

[trales]

for work pants I love the banana republic ones in black, I buy 2 pairs per year. They wash well and look nice. My sister has been getting clothes through the personal shoppers on Stitch fix and keeps about 50% of each box. She loves them.