How to Build a Work Wardrobe with Character

When I first started working in my late teens, I never gave my work wardrobe much thought.  I took professionalism seriously, but professionalism to me at the time meant black trousers and a top that fit that wasn’t a t-shirt.  As I grew older, I gave my work wardrobe a bit more thought, but still not much, considering I spent more time in school – and utilizing my casual wardrobe – than work.  Fast forward a few years and I’ve graduated college, and the majority of my days are spent in work attire.

Over the past year, I’ve been slowly honing my work wardrobe, finding pieces that reflect my personal style and building a wardrobe that has character.  The goal is to build a work wardrobe that I look forward to wearing just as much as my casual wardrobe, and not to have a work wardrobe that’s so blah that I dread picking an outfit for work in the mornings.  That’s not a great way to start my day!

J.Crew Petite Cropped Pant in Bumblebee Jacquard, Petite 000

So how do I go about picking and choosing pieces to add to my work wardrobe?

1. I mix my patterns with my solids.  While I don’t have a hard and fast rule when it comes to pairing solids with solids, I find that my outfits tend to be more interesting and have more character if I pair a patterned piece with a solid piece.  I love solid turtlenecks, and will often pair my gray or black turtleneck with a pair of patterned trousers (like the picture above), or a patterned skirt.  Vice versa, I often pair a patterned top with a pair of solid fitted, ankle length trousers.
2. I’m all about whimsical patterns.  When it comes to adding character to my wardrobe, I find that one of the best ways to do this is through whimsical patterns.  These J. Crew trousers have little embroidered bumblebees, which add so much character to what would otherwise be a plain pair of navy trousers.  I have a navy blue top in my wardrobe with little ballerinas printed all over the top, which again adds character to an otherwise plain top.
3. I follow my instinct.  I’ve learned to trust my instinct when shopping.  If something manages to catch my eye amongst the plethora of options that I’m scrolling through when shopping online, it must have caught my eye for a reason.  When I was perusing the J. Crew website, this pair of trousers immediately caught my eye.  It was so different from anything in my wardrobe and I knew I had to have it.
4. I invest in pieces that are promising.  While it’s always a satisfying feeling to get a bargain, sometimes it’s worthwhile to invest in pieces that you really love, that you’ll look forward to wearing, that will stay in your wardrobe for years to come.  Sometimes I strike a balance between the two – I’ll wait for it to go on sale, but I won’t wait for it to be marked down further than that, in case it sells out.

Have you ever struggled with your work wardrobe?  Are you just getting ready to enter the work force and looking for ways to build your work wardrobe?  Let me know in the comments down below!

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Thanks for reading!