Basic Work Wardrobe

[Anonymous]

After losing 25 pounds this year, I have 10 more pounds to go before I hit my goal weight. I'm having trouble and keep losing a pound, then gaining a pound. I think I need some new motivation AND I'm going to need a whole new wardrobe in about 2 months. I'm getting overwhelmed thinking about what I'll need to buy for work. I've been getting by with buying cheap stuff that I'm not really in love with, and the latest stuff is once again getting loose and will look ridiculous after the last 10 pounds are gone.

Anyone have any tips on the basics needed as the base of a Fall/Winter work wardrobe, business casual? Whenever I go shopping I seem to end up with a bunch of black skirts and black pants and nothing else. I need a plan this time. If I can plan out a few basic items to purchase immediately upon reaching my goal, I think that will help get me motivated. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

1. a nice tailored-style jacket or two. doesn't have to be custom tailored. just needs to have those clean lines - i like corduroy for fall. these work so well whether you're dressed casually or a little more nicely.
2. grey pants, black pants, brown pants, khaki colored pants
3. black, white, brown cardigans
4. white, pinstripe, light blue button downs (don't know how casual your business casual workplace is, but if it's more casual then i would just get nice-ish solid colored fitted t-shirt style shirts, V-neck preferably)
5. thin (silk, perhaps) turtlenecks. short sleeved and long sleeved in different solid colors.
6. skirts in the same neutral tones

these are all basics. personally though, i'd probably just get a few of everything in solid colors and then look for other fun pieces, whatever they may be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
5. thin (silk, perhaps) turtlenecks. short sleeved and long sleeved in different solid colors.

Not the OP, but can you recommend a good place for quality thin turtlenecks? I always have trouble finding them (or they are super expensive).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
5. thin (silk, perhaps) turtlenecks. short sleeved and long sleeved in different solid colors.

Not the OP, but can you recommend a good place for quality thin turtlenecks? I always have trouble finding them (or they are super expensive).

JCrew has some tissue turtlenecks that are very thin.

[Anonymous]

I really like the Semantiks line at Nordstrom. When they have their sales, it is quite reasonably priced and the pants and jackets are cute and wear quite well. I think it is in the Point of View department.

[Anonymous]

This may sound too low brow for the typical DCUM, but I've gotten really nice, slimming silk (maybe faux silk) turtlenecks at Ann Taylor Loft, usually when they have one of their sales going (which is practically all the time).

[Anonymous]

I say first go for the basics...a great pair of black pants (don't buy ones that don't make you feel fabulous just because that's all they had in the store...find another store!), gray suit, brown pants...i don't love khakis, but some people can pull them off.

cardigans in basic colors, white dress shirt, blue dress shirt, a silk shirt in a color or print. a black skirt (love pencil but find a fit that works with your body type).

then, this might sound cheesey, but i go to stores and look at the outfits they already have put together on display. there is always one i love and styled way better than i could do on my own.