Taking Your Wardrobe from College to Career
- Sydney Emerman
- Jun 7, 2021
- 4 min read
Now that I am out of college and taking on the real world, like many of you, it's time to dress appropriately. This means figuring out how to style all the clothes you already have for work and for the real world. There are tons of ways to incorporate all the clothes you already have into business and even business professional looks. Here are some tips for taking your wardrobe from college to career!
1. Know your New Dress Code
This is the most important part of transitioning your wardrobe into the real world. You need to know what to wear to work in order to look professional and appropriate. Know whether your dress code is casual, business casual, or business professional and on top of that know what that means in terms of dress! If you need to be wearing a blazer and heels everyday to work, your favorite pair of jeans from college are not going to be helpful. Know what is appropriate in your office, and if you are working from home know if and when you have meetings so you can dress appropriately!
2. Separate Professional and Weekend Clothes
No matter how casual your dress code for work might be, there are some articles of clothing that are best kept for weekends and nights out. This includes crop tops, ripped jeans, low-cut tops, short shorts, and other items that aren't professional. These articles of clothing are still great for weekends and times that you are not at work, but it is so important to know what is appropriate and what is not when it comes to work clothing. You want to dress to impress, especially when entering the work world for the first time!
3. Invest in a Blazer
Regardless of what your dress code is or if you are working from home, you can NEVER go wrong with a blazer. If you don't already have one, there are so many different options out there! This is a great, professional, and chic article of clothing that can be worn for anything. Throw a blazer on over a casual bodysuit, slim straight jeans and heels for a chic and casual vibe. Put a blazer over a blouse with black pants and you look business casual. Wear a blazer with a nice dress and heels and you look business professional. You can even throw a blazer on over a t-shirt while working from home and you look nice. A perfect piece to enter the work world in!
4. Repurpose Items
Some items in your closet are just not appropriate or professional- like a crop top. But throw a crop top on layered over a dress and suddenly you have an appropriate outfit that is not only chic but edgy. There are tons of ways to rewear items- sometimes you just have to get creative. You can pair heels with jeans instead of sneakers and you look more put together. Throw on a midi skirt with a graphic tee and suddenly you look more work appropriate. Think outside of the box for items and most of the time you can think of a new, professional, and appropriate way to wear something to work while looking put together and chic.
5. Get New Things If You Need
A lot of people do not have business professional wardrobes coming straight from college. If your dress code requires business professional or business casual and you don't have a ton to work with, it's ok to buy a few new things. You don't have to break the bank when you get new pieces, but you do need to be able to find work appropriate outfits in your closet. If you are getting a few new pieces to incorporate, make sure they are versatile and can be worn a ton! This will allow you to get your money's worth.
6. Wear the Right Shoes
Believe it or not, wearing the right shoes can make or break an outfit. You can commute to work in any shoes you feel comfortable in but once you get there make sure you look professional! This does not mean you have to wear heels everyday. Wear shoes that are comfortable but appropriate. This can include heels, mules, sandals, or sneakers if you are allowed! If you are at home you can even wear slippers! Shoes are a great way to feel more put together and professional. They help outfits look more dressed up or dressed down!
7. When in Doubt, Wear Black
I don't know about you, but I have a lot of black in my closet. Black is slimming, versatile, and looks good on everyone. If you are buying some new items for work, I suggest solid colors like black, white, tan, or grey. Definitely have a pair of black slacks in your closet because you never know when you'll need them! Black is a great color to wear on top and bottom if you are feeling unsure of an outfit. Black makes you feel sleek and fashionable! Also black is appropriate not matter what your dress code is!
8. Have Fun
This is a huge transition time in life- going from college to the real world- so embrace the change! This is a time to be creative with your wardrobe and rewear items in new ways. If you really want, this is also a time where you can reinvent your style. Use pieces you have while also buying new pieces to create a dream wardrobe for your job! Getting dressed for work should be fun, exciting, and most importantly, not stressful! Play with colors and patterns, or wear solids and neutrals! Dress to your taste but dress appropriately and professionally!
تعليقات