As more and more people return to the office, they may no longer be able to rely on the work wardrobe of more than two years ago.
Their tastes or body shape may have changed during the pandemic, or their company may have changed their expectations for professional attire.
Complementing your wardrobe can add up.The fashion blogger shares tips on how to prepare for a return to work without overspending.
Maria Vizuete, a former stock analyst and founder of the fashion blog MiaMiaMine.com, recommends getting back to the office for a few days before you start shopping for new clothes.
Many companies are revising their dress codes, and you may find that the jeans and sneakers you’ve always lived in are now acceptable in the office.
“To see if your office has transformed, pay attention to how management dresses, or have a conversation with your manager,” says Vizuete.
If your company has moved to a hybrid work model where you can still work from home a few days a week, you also don’t need as much office-appropriate attire.
Veronica Koosed, owner of another blog, PennyPincherFashion.com, said: “If you’re in the office half as much as you did two years ago, you should also consider cleaning out half of your professional wardrobe.”
Don’t be too quick to throw away the articles you wear when the pandemic is more the domain of books and movies than real life, experts say.Some clothes remain relevant.
“Some items you might want to keep two years ago are what I would call wardrobe must-haves: your favorite pair of black dress pants, the black dress you wore to the office a lot, a nice blazer and Your favorite neutral-colored shoes,” Kusted said.
“Start by creating a list of essentials and prioritizing them based on how useful they are,” she said.”Then work on the list by buying a few items each month.”
You may want to set an allowance for yourself.Experts generally recommend that you spend no more than 10% of your take-home pay on clothing.
“I’m a big fan of budgets,” says Dianna Baros, founder of the blog TheBudgetBabe.com.”With all the temptation to shop online, it’s easy to be swept away.”
“I’m a firm believer that it pays to invest in sturdy basics, like a trench coat, tailored blazer or structured bag,” she says.
“Once you have a strong collection, you can easily build on them with more affordable, avant-garde pieces.”
For her part, Baros says following budget-conscious fashion bloggers or influencers is a great way to learn about stylish, affordable clothing.
“They share everything from clothing ideas to sales reminders,” Barros said.”It’s like having a personal shopper, and I think it’s a new way of shopping.”
Buying off-season items, such as winter coats in July, is another way to get great prices, experts say.
If you’re still figuring out a post-pandemic fashion brand, a clothing subscription service could be a useful option.
Do you have any friends who don’t go back to the office at all?If you’re a similar size, offer to help them free up some closet space.
Post time: May-12-2022