How to Build a Work Wardrobe | Cashmere & Jeans

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I have to admit, I had this post scheduled months ago and just haven’t gotten around to posting it. Don’t get me wrong, I have really wanted to share it with you, but then Fall happened. And I wanted to make sure I was covering all of the good Fall fashion for you! So it just never really fit into the schedule, until NOW!

If you follow me on Instagram and watch my stories, you might notice that I take an #ootd shot every morning. It’s nothing glamours, just a real life shot of me on the fly with the pup in the background barking at me hahah. I do this because I think it’s fun and I want to show you how I mix and match all of the pieces in my closet. You might be surprised, but I don’t wear cashmere sweaters and jeans to work every day. I have a whole work wardrobe that I never post about on my blog!

My office is business casual which means I can’t wear jeans to work (I know it’s pretty traumatizing!). I was a little nervous about this when I first started my job about two and a half years ago, because my previous job was very trendy and we were allowed to wear jeans to work. So I had to go out and buy some basic items to have in my wardrobe in order to build upon. It can be overwhelming at first when you go from a casual environment to a more conservative and classic place of work. But as I’ve gotten more comfortable at my job, my personality in my clothing has also started to shine thru more (hello ruffles!).

Here are a few tips that I followed when I first started to build my work wardrobe. They are classic pieces that I turn to in my closet all the time and have helped me to build a more cohesive wardrobe that makes getting ready in the mornings a breeze!

Start with the basics

My first order of business was finding a good dress pant. I knew I wasn’t able to wear jeans to work anymore, but I wanted that comfort and stretch that you get from wearing jeans. My absolute favorites right now are from the Gap called the Bi-Stretch Skinny Ankle Pant. I recommend starting with the basic colors like black, navy, tan and then start to add the fun colors like green, burgundy, etc. These pants have a lot of stretch to them, are super comfortable and I love that they are a slimmer fit, making them more modern than your typical work pant. Another favorite pair I wear are these from Banana Republic, but I hate that you have to dry clean them.

Other basics you should start with are collared shirts. My favorites are these ones from Banana Republic. Again stick to the basic colors like white, blue and black at first. I also love adding these merino wool sweaters into my closet. During the Fall and Winter season they are great to wear with a collared shirt underneath for some extra warmth. And they are perfect for those chilly Spring mornings on their own. I wear mine all the time! I like to get them in the crew cut version, but they also come in v-neck, so whatever your preference is.

Keep your colors simple

When you are first buying a wardrobe make sure you stick to the classic colors like black, navy, grey, white, etc. All of the these colors can be interchangeable which makes it so easy to dress in the morning. When I first went shopping after I got hired I bought collared shirts in white, black and light blue and pants in black, navy, grey. I already had some sweaters in my closet in navy, black and grey. I wore these same items for months because they were so easy to mix and match! The possibilities are endless, I promise you!

Comfortable shoes

If you haven’t noticed by now that I am a shoe girl, I must be doing something wrong. Because I LOVE shoes! I could buy a new pair every week if my hubby wouldn’t kill me. So when I first started my job, I knew I needed a pair of conservative shoes that were also very comfortable. I bought two pairs of shoes- that’s it, only TWO! And to this day, I still wear them both all the time. I wear this pair of Tory Burch wedges all the time. When I first tried them on in the store, I remember thinking to myself, “OMG- these are amazing!” They are so comfortable and the heel is at the perfect height too. It gives you enough lift, but you can wear them for hours and your feet won’t hurt you (too) much.

The second pair I bought was a classic nude heel. They are the most comfortable pair of heels I have ever worn! I actually am already on my second pair. My first pair got worn out because I wore them so much that I decided to buy a second pair. And I NEVER buy the same shoe twice. I think it’s such a waist of money, but in this case it was totally worth it. They also come in black and a ton of other colors right now!

Stylish and Usable Work Bag

At my current job, I am able to take the train to work, so I pretty much carry my life with me. I have my laptop, lunch, wallet, sunglasses, water bottle, shoes, umbrella- well you get the point. And I knew I eventually needed a huge tote to carry all of my items. I had wanted this Louis Vuitton tote forever. And finally, one day Kurt was feeling extra generous and decided he would buy it for me. He must have gotten sick of hearing me talk about it lol. And I use it every day! It’s the best investment purchase I have ever made. You can fit so much in it.

I know this bag isn’t in everyone’s budget, so this one is one of my favorites at a more reasonable price. I have almost bought it so many times because I love it so much! And the material on it is great because it wipes clean so easily. A tote is the way to go if you have a ton of stuff to carry with you every day. And who doesn’t want to look stylish on their commute to work?

I hope I helped you to build your work wardrobe or at least get some ideas! And of course as time has gone on I have added some more fun pieces that I wear all the time like ruffle sweaters, leopard flats and ruffle collared shirts. But it helped me so much to get the basics when I first started and they are pieces I still turn to all the time when I am too tired to figure out anything else to wear!

What do you wear to work? Do you own any of these basis pieces in your wardrobe?