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You’ve graduated, found your first job, but now comes the next difficult stage - what should you wear? If you work in a formal office environment where suits are a must you needn’t worry about having a vast wardrobe of clothes to be well dressed for work.
By developing a ‘capsule’ wardrobe of basic pieces that you can mix and match, you can have a variety of options without having to blow your first few months’ wages on clothes. The important thing is to rotate your clothes and shoes on a daily basis to allow your clothes to rest between wearing.
Capsule wardrobe for the guys
As a minimum you will need two to three suits, preferably a navy, a charcoal, and another dark neutral. If your office allows ‘business casual’ then three jacket-and-trouser combinations will be fine. If you can afford it, buy a second pair of trousers to go with each of your suits. You’ll find that your trousers will wear out more quickly than your jackets do and buying an extra pair is a great way of making your suits last longer.
Five work shirts, one for each day of the week, are a must. They don’t need to have a double cuff, button cuffs are fine, but do make sure that the collar fits. If in doubt go for the next size up, as you don’t want to feel strangled. A selection of five silk ties, in colours that complement your shirts will complete your look. Just remember that you will need to look after your ties by having them dry-cleaned and pressed regularly.
As the winter hits you’ll need to invest in an outer coat, this doesn’t need to be full length but should be longer than your suit jacket. When shopping for your coat, remember that it will need to be large enough to fit comfortably over your suit jacket.
When buying socks, purchase at least three pairs of each type to beat the ‘washing machine gobbler’ and buy them in a size larger than you need as they will shrink. For understated style, the colour of your socks should coordinate with your trousers. In formal business, long wool or cotton mix socks should be worn so as not to reveal any leg when you sit down.
Shoes and belts are the finishing touches to your working wardrobe. To see you through your first year you’ll need two or three pairs of leather shoes. This may seem a lot but shoes will last longer if you allow them to breathe between wears. Don’t forget to polish them regularly and have them re-soled and re-heeled when necessary. If your trousers have belt loops you’ll need to wear a belt.
Capsule wardrobe for the girls
A suit will form the basis of your formal working wardrobe. To start with you’ll find that four suits, in complementary neutral colours, or a combination of four jackets and four skirts or pairs of trousers will give you plenty of options. Depending on when you start your job it’s worth considering opting for one suit or outfit in a slightly lighter or heavier fabric so that you can manage seasonal weather changes.
A selection of colourful tops, providing they are in a palette that suits you is a great way of introducing colour into your wardrobe. Six to eight carefully chosen items, a mixture of knits and shirts will help to ensure that you have the right look for every occasion. Avoid choosing white for the majority of your tops as you’ll end up looking the same every day.
In order to cope with British weather you’ll need to invest in an overcoat or raincoat. When choosing your coat, it is worth going for a classic cut in a dark fabric, rather than a high fashion item, as this is likely to last for longer. If you have to make a choice between the two, opt for a raincoat as this will prove more versatile, after all, you can always put a scarf and pair of gloves on in the winter to keep you warm.
To go with your capsule wardrobe, you’ll need three pairs of shoes that tone with your suits and that are in line with current trends. It’s important to make sure that they are appropriate to the season too.
Your choice of handbag is also important. Ideally you should have 2 quality handbags in appropriate colours for your suits. If you’re using them for work, make sure they’re large enough to hold documents and folders. Alternatively, look at investing in a smart laptop bag that you can use as a briefcase. Complete your formal look from head to toe: a tailored suit calls for toned-down accessories, and tights are essential, whatever the time of year.
Dressing tips for all
To appear friendly and approachable, you need to wear colours of medium depth. Black and other dark shades represent authority, whilst red will make you appear assertive. To look efficient, your grooming has to be impeccable. If your hair is unwashed, you will give the impression of not caring about yourself. Ladies, if you haven’t applied any make-up, others may think that you’re not in control of your time management.
One last rule, showing too much flesh isn’t appropriate in a business or formal environment.
