STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

mz.shanzie · Kenneth Cole

NEW JOB! HELP!!!

littlebean · Kate Spade

Congratulations on your new job!

Do you have to wear a jacket for your job? If so, I would buy two jackets -- one black and then one in a lighter color and then you can mix and match them with your black slacks and then skirts that you probably have. And then I would buy as many different colored shirts or tanks as you can (at least five) to layer under the jackets and that would go with the different pants/skirts. I think that you could buy all of that -- and perhaps even an alternate pair of shoes -- at TJ Maxx or Target for under $200. I know several people that have only had those items -- a couple of pants/skirts and jackets with a week's worth of different tops -- that they have just rotated and mixed and matched over and over again for jobs before they saved up enough money to expand their wardrobes. Throwing in some scarves or interesting jewelry will also help make it more interesting.

travelgirl · Kate Spade

Well...black pants and black shoes are a good start. Here are a few ideas:

I would add cardigans (if you do not have to wear blazers/jackets):

Something like this (this one is from Banana Republic but you could find something similiar for less elsewhere)...

This one is $30. from Old Navy...

A button down white shirt...

Maybe a crewneck...

Some jersey knit tops (maybe not as low cut as the one on the right...)

A skirt or two...

Another color pair of pants (gray, tweed, beige) something other than black since you already have black...

I would check out stores like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, H&M, Target, and Old Navy and raid the sale racks. There are lots of good deals on work basics right now. I am in sales and this is the kind of stuff I live in-cardigans, tweed trousers, simple tops and wrap tops with dress pants and heels, skirts with tall boots, etc. I am in and out of car all day so for me I hate wearing blazers and jackets because they are confining. Congrats on the new job!

Cortney1982 · Chanel

Get a black cardigan, sweater, and vest. You can rotate those with tops to create lots of different looks. Old Navy is having a really good sale. You don't even need $200!

$12.99 $14.49

$8.99 $15

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

Just to throw this out there but if you are willing to dig at Forever 21 you can find some nice tops to go under jackets or to wear alone. I never would have thought to look there until my coworkers would wear some really cute work appropriate clothes during the week (not on jeans day friday) and when I'd ask where the stuff was from they'd say Forever 21. You should be able to find a few things there for not too much money until pay day.

mz.shanzie · Kenneth Cole

tHANKS LADIES!!!!!

I ended up hitting Old Navy, and got about 6 shirts for less than $15! Then I bought another pair of black shorter heels ( Payless), a pair of grey slacks, and some gold hoop earrings ( Target).........I went over a little....but it was worth it :) Thanks for all the advice!!! Can't wait till tax time so I can shop at my fave stores like BR for some really cute stuff!!