Guest post by: Elizabeth Ann West

We all have stages in our lives where our clothes just do not match our new pursuits. The most common crisis for a woman’s wardrobe is starting a new job. One huge transition is from the free T-shirt craze in college to looking professional on the job. Moving from stay-at-home-Mom or college crammer to super career woman, one truth is universally present: the funds are limited for buying work clothes. Learn the basics of building a wardrobe for work so you do not waste any part of your budget on unnecessary items.

The first step is to look at your current wardrobe and set aside any pieces that are appropriate for work. Remember to take into consideration fit when determining appropriateness. Take digital pictures with your cell phone if you need to so you can find selections in stores that pair well. This is going to be your base, and it can be as large as a few button down shirts to as tiny as one pair of black pants.

Next, figure out what you need to get through one full week of work. The best wardrobes are made of pieces that are interchangeable. Even if you are someone who generally enjoys wearing flashy prints and patterns, to build a work wardrobe it is best to pick two to three key colors that go well together. The most common color families are the cools–blues, purples, grays, and blacks–or the warms– earthy browns, tans, creams, and greens. Just beginning, pick one of the two major color families to work within so you can mix and match without revealing how limited your clothing choices really are.

When selecting pieces for the work wardrobe before a paycheck, resist the urge to get anything with loud prints or highly stylized in fashion, cut, or trim. Save the flashiness for accessories; they are a much lower cost investment in case fashion changes. Simple, flattering cuts of basic colors will pair well with accessories of all types. A baby blue buttoned-down cardigan goes well with silver or gold gemstone jewelry, or a costume necklace with a multi-colored stone pendant. A boring brown jacket comes alive with a bright earthy toned scarf hung loosely under the lapels or with a pinned costume broach.

Until real money is coming in and you set aside money for monthly additions to the wardrobe, shoes are not accessories. By starting with only one of the major color families, you should only need two pairs of comfortable but classic work shoes. Eventually, we all realize we spend so much time at the office and in our work “uniform,” it is worth the boost in happiness to wear what makes us feel good. For the beginning of any work wardrobe though, the good feeling really needs to be physical when it comes to shoes, and not emotional from the cuteness.

Finally, to avoid buying “just the deals and steals,” write out the work wardrobe pieces you are looking for before you go to the stores. A small note with the number of slacks, skirts, and tops with specific color types will help you avoid a hodge podge of clothes once you are home. Sure, two of the shirts you bought were only $5 each, but perhaps they only go with one pair of pants. When one of the outfit pieces goes out of commission, either from snagging in a car door or an unfortunate coffee spill, and it puts TWO major pieces of your wardrobe on the “injury list.” It is vital when you have little to work with that all the clothing works in at least two different combinations.

It is very easy to let the excitement of a new job bleed over into buying clothes for that first week. A budget for each item will also help because it will prevent you from talking yourself into “deserving” a flashier or designer piece of clothing. Remember, until you actually start working, you have the time to really hunt and only settle for the clothes that fit perfectly, look great together, and give you the most options come Monday morning. One day you may need a bit of happiness from the clothes you wear to work to give a little motivation, but you shouldn’t need a work wardrobe to fill this role until the enchantment of “new job” wears off.

Certain types of service providers are worth their weight in gold. A good hairdresser, a competent doctor, a dependable electrician, and, yes, a good tailor. If you don’t have the time to make clothing repairs such as sewing on buttons, hemming a skirt, or redoing a zipper, a good tailor is a must. Plus, you never know when you’re going to need a custom outfit for a special occasion. Be forewarned. A good tailor really is hard to find. Here are some tips for finding one:

1. Word of Mouth
This is probably the most dependable way to find a good tailor, but the key is to start looking before you need one. If you need a suit altered or a dress custom made for a special occasion, you don’t want to desperately seek out the services of a tailor. Start looking now. Ask friends and the personnel working in fashion boutiques and department stores who they would recommend. Some department stores have their own tailors although you may need to buy something from the store to use their services. Also, contact the local dry cleaners in your area. Some cleaners have a tailor on staff or can recommend a good one.

2. Choose Someone Close to Your Home or Job
Don’t underestimate the importance of choosing a good tailor who lives close to your home or place of work. For a complicated job, you may need to go in several times to try the item on. If you tailor is located on the other side of town, this can be a real hassle.  Unless you work in the city, avoid using a tailor located in a busy downtown area with limited parking. Always keep convenience in mind.

3. Make Sure There’s Good Communication
When looking for a good tailor, you may find excellent ones who don’t have a firm grasp of the English language. Although they may be quite competent, you may not get the results you want if there’s poor communication. Choose someone who understands what you’re looking for.

4. Test Them With a Simple Job First
When you finally choose a tailor, give them a simple job such as hemming a skirt or a pair of pants first. Don’t be tempted to give them a stack of clothing to alter on the first visit. Make sure simple jobs are performed competently and with attention to detail before asking them to alter your best dress.

5. Ask to See Samples of Their Work
Most good tailors will have samples of their work on hand that you can use to judge the quality of their work. Inspect their work carefully to make sure it show attentions to detail.

6. Other Factors to Consider
There may be times when you need a clothing repair job done fast. Find out what the average turn around time is on alterations, repairs, and custom made clothing. A longer turn around time may be a sign you’re dealing with a good tailor since he or she has lots of clients, but if you need things done quickly a busy tailor may not be the best choice.

Of course, you’ll also want to keep costs in mind. Try to get a copy of their fee structure and compare it to the rates charged by other tailors in your area. You may pay a bit more for a good tailor, but the difference shouldn’t be enormous.

Once you find a good tailor, let them know you appreciate them. Treat them with the care and respect they deserve. They can make your life so much easier.