XP: Help with business Casual

louisvillebride21 · November 2010

I'm just XP from the Nest.

I'm starting a new job on Monday and the dress is business casual. I saw most people in some kind of sorta dress pants and whatever shirts (not t-shirts). I'd like to do a little better than just whatever shirts. I only have one pair of pants that fit me now (brown) and one pair of black flats that are nice enough. I do have some heeled black and brown boots, but I don't know how comfortable I'm going to be wearing them.

I have maybe 2-300 to spend. I'm 5"10 and 160. I guess I need an entire wardrobe of business casual. Oh, I do have a really nice winter jacket.

I guess I'm asking for suggestions on things to get and links things you love and would suggest I look at.

Sorry, a little bit of a post and run as I'm training my replacement today at my old job

baystateapple · November 2010

Maybe a couple of nice sweaters or button-downs since the cold weather is approaching? (Although you're in Kentucky so I don't know how cold it is down there, I've never been). I love Ann Taylor Loft and NY&Co. for my business casual attire.

louisvillebride21 · November 2010

Yeah, sweaters will be good. And yeah, it gets effin cold here. Well, I say that, it's cold for us. It gets down in the teens in the middle of winter.

SarahPLiz · November 2010

I'd go with sweater sets and non-jean pants.

baystateapple · November 2010

Also for shoes: my MIL gave me a pair of nice black slingbacks with kitten heels last year. LOVE them, and they're so perfect for work, not too high and very comfortable.

*EDIT: too, not to *facepalm*

akhensley81 · November 2010

I love NY&Co too, but you could easily blow your budget on 1 outfit there. I got my outfit for my final interview there and it was $200. Hehe. Maybe wander through there for style inspiration but then try to track down similar outfits from Macy's or Kohl's. You'll get more bang for your buck.

Speaking of NY&Co I love love love the argyle sweaters that they're carrying right now. You can wear a tank/shirt under it for more casual, or a button down hard collared shirt for a more professional look. You could wear it with a pencil skirt & knee high boots, or pants, or whatever. Love love love.

louisvillebride21 · November 2010

Yeah, I have my eye on one of those cardis. MIL randomly called me and said she had some Khols cash, so she's taking me shopping there after work. That will help the budget a little lol.

chuygrl77 · November 2010

I know that Target also has some more dressy work casual clothes. You are probably good to go with the Kohl's cash and your budget though. They always have great deals and great work outfits. You won't blow your budget there.

sister2groom · November 2010

Macys clearance usually has decent prices, a bunch of stuff under 30, and quite a bit under 15:

There's a decent argyle cardigan for $12
A flowy black open-front sweater for $30
White ruffled button-down for $15

pinkpinot · November 2010

Target, Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, Love Culture, TJ Maxx & Marshall's are a treasure trove of cheap business casual pieces, you just have to be patient and sometimes DIG through racks.

You can never, ever go wrong with cardigans. I wear them over my more dressy summer clothes along with tights/leggings & boots. I have a lot of cheap tank tops from Old Navy that have lace along the trim and I pair those with cute cardigans & sweaters with skirts and/or khakis. I buy a lot of the cheap, thin belts from Target and when I buy tunics or longer tops (even dresses) from Forever 21 (I tend to buy the biggest size they have for length) I just use the belts to give the top more shape and pair it with leggings & boots or slim fit pants. I tend to always buy pieces in black, brown, white or grey which I guess is boring but eventually everything in my closet can be paired with something somehow.

mkrupar · November 2010

Marshall's has a ton of sweaters and great shirts and pants for business casual. I know TJMax tends to carry a lot fo the same things if there isn't Marshall's near you. Their clearence racks are even better.

marissa_claire · November 2010

I would check the sale ads and find something with a lot of button-ups on sale. I wear button-ups with everything - you can get some with more sheen to wear with black pants, and I also have some cotton ones that I can also wear with jeans on the weekends.

If you find a pair of black pants that fits well, I would just buy a few more pairs of that same style.

KathyC65 · November 2010

I would go with Kohl's - I've found some nice work pants and sweaters there.

also if you need to update your shoe wardrobe try Aerosoles (you can go on line www.aerosoles.com they have comfy shoes/boots in all heel heights).

Good Luck - I'm in almost the same position - currently waiting on the results of my "pre-screen" drug test/medical check up so that I can give my notice and start a new job!

opalsky007 · November 2010

I'd hit AT Loft. I don't know what they've got right this minute, but they always have tons of cute cardigans and tops that you can mix and match, and I've gotten a lot of sweaters for $10-15 between sales and coupons. Get a few pieces there, a few basic tees to go with them at Forever 21, and you're set.

squirrly · November 2010

Loft, White House | Black Market are my go-to places there in town, and where the bulk of my dress pants are from. Also good is the outlet mall up by Indy. You can sign up for their coupons online, and print them out. Plus the office there will give you more. And then whatever sales they have.

I have a few sweaters from the Limited, and one or two from NYCo as well. Kohls is great for miscellaneous stuff, shirts to layer, and the occasional sweater.

What's the new job? Did I miss that post?

mermaidutp · November 2010

I agree with going the TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Ross Dress for Less route. Target has some cute work-wear, as well.

I'd suggest picking up a black pair of pants and maybe another neutral - perhaps gray. Maybe a pair of black pumps. A few different shirts/blouses in solid colors and maybe a black cardigan and another neutral toned cardigan - cream maybe? You can then mix and match your pieces to have a lot of differen outfit combos. If you have enough left in your budget - maybe a black skirt or dress.

georgia_bride09 · November 2010

You're 5'10"? I always thought you were a short little thing, like 5'2" or something. I guess it's just because your H is so tall; isn't he like 6'10"?

frogurt814 · November 2010

What I've found to be beneficial over my 5 years of working in an office are a pair of black dress pants, a pair of gray dress pants, and a black skirt. I mostly only buy things in black/white/gray/pink so I can mix and match all of it.

I'm also a big fan of cardigans and wear them almost all winter over my summery tops.

I have a few skirt/jacket sets from JC Penney that I got on sale for about $30 each. I like those becuase I can wear them in the summer with heels or in the winter with leggins and boots.

louisvillebride21 · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_xp-business-casual?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:0c8a5a5f-c6be-4053-8e92-8fc50c51c2d9Post:2eee127e-91bd-4868-93d7-89957b655d61">Re: XP: Help with business Casual</a>:
[QUOTE]Loft, White House | Black Market are my go-to places there in town, and where the bulk of my dress pants are from. Also good is the outlet mall up by Indy. You can sign up for their coupons online, and print them out. Plus the office there will give you more. And then whatever sales they have. I have a few sweaters from the Limited, and one or two from NYCo as well. Kohls is great for miscellaneous stuff, shirts to layer, and the occasional sweater. What's the new job? Did I miss that post?
Posted by squirrly[/QUOTE]

Sorry, busy today!
Yeah, I'm working somewhere as a customer service person. But it's with corporate customers, not the general public. There's lots of room to grow with the company though.

louisvillebride21 · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_xp-business-casual?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:0c8a5a5f-c6be-4053-8e92-8fc50c51c2d9Post:b7e47e66-9410-4af9-bae6-79cda5b43432">Re: XP: Help with business Casual</a>:
[QUOTE]You're 5'10"? I always thought you were a short little thing, like 5'2" or something. I guess it's just because your H is so tall; isn't he like 6'10"?
Posted by georgia_bride09[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I'm 5"10 and he's 6"10. He does make me look tiny!

akhensley81 · November 2010

Haha wow LVB I always thought you were shorter too (just by your pics). I'm 5'9" - you're taller than me!!

georgia_bride09 · November 2010

And just to clarify, I'm not saying you're big or anything.

I was at Old Navy this weekend, and they're having a big sale on all the work stuff, and they had some KEWT sweaters. I got a couple of button-up shirts.

Snippylynn · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_xp-business-casual?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:0c8a5a5f-c6be-4053-8e92-8fc50c51c2d9Post:b7e47e66-9410-4af9-bae6-79cda5b43432">Re: XP: Help with business Casual</a>:
[QUOTE]You're 5'10"? I always thought you were a short little thing, like 5'2" or something. I guess it's just because your H is so tall; isn't he like 6'10"?
Posted by georgia_bride09[/QUOTE]

I was thinking the same thing! lol

Snippylynn · November 2010

As a side note, your feet might trouble you a bit in the beginning wearing heels and if you're on your feet a lot, but they'll get used to it. I'd actually recommend something with a bit of a platform, as weird as it sounds. It helps with the angle and the pressure on the balls of your feet.

louisvillebride21 · November 2010

Yeah my poor feet

And I'm tall, I promise!

Thanks for calling me a giant, Georgia!

Snippylynn · November 2010

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=59745&vid=1&pid=786517&scid=786517002

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=59745&vid=1&pid=804244&scid=804244002

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=59745&vid=1&pid=805812&scid=805812012

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=59745&vid=1&pid=803377&scid=803377002

Here's another thing to know about retail business casual- you get leway. I have a friend who does this kind of job as well, and she's quite trendy to an extent. You can go ahead and do some flash and get away with it easily. So feel free to wear those red shoes or something a bit more pizzazzy than you normally would. Accessorize!

louisvillebride21 · November 2010

Oh, I'm not in retail exactly. It's a manufacturing company/distrubuter that sells to like Wal-mart, BBB ect. I deal with the sales reps for them.

louisvillebride21 · November 2010

3 pairs of shoes and my budget is gone!!! But I do really want those boots. A lot.

Snippylynn · November 2010

I see. But you'll be on your feet a lot?

ehathewa · November 2010

We're the exact same size... and I have a terrible time finding pants (and occasionally shirts) that fit my tallness. I like Gap/Banana Republic/ON for Tall options. Ann Taylor Loft has great skirts and dresses, and most of their clothes fit the Business Casual standard. New York & Co and the Limited are also stores I like... but the hiehgt can make things tricky!

louisvillebride21 · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_xp-business-casual?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:0c8a5a5f-c6be-4053-8e92-8fc50c51c2d9Post:070607ea-95a4-4d2a-826d-1ab339caf487">Re: XP: Help with business Casual</a>:
[QUOTE]I see. But you'll be on your feet a lot?
Posted by Snippylynn[/QUOTE]

I honestly don't know. If I am, then I'm going to have to get all new shoes. If not, what I have no will work, I guess.

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