Compiling a Frugal Work Wardrobe-A Guest Post

In my continuing quest to provide you with different perspectives during my vacation hiatus, I present this article from the Frugal Homemaker Plus on compiling a frugal work wardrobe. Catherine provides a unique point of view in her blog-she is not a stay at home mom, nor a working woman. She is that very rare breed these days-a stay at home wife. (Note: She has recently started working a very few hours a week) Pop on over to her blog and check out her trials and tribulations as she and the hubby work towards their goal of being “Debt Free by 2012″.

I once got flamed on a message board about working. The discussion was about how expensive work clothes were, and how there was pretty much no way to cut those expenses without looking tacky and unprofessional. I, in my frugal fervor, pointed out that you can indeed have a professional wardrobe for far less than, as one of the posters said she spent, 200 dollars a month. I was told that I obviously was never expected to show up to work in nice clothes, that perhaps, if I worked somewhere that provided a uniform and a paper hat, I may be able to get by on less. For professionals like them, it was simply not possible.

Well, I’ve worked at places where I can wear jeans, or provided uniforms, paper hat and all. I’ve also worked in extremely conservative, major business wear required places, and let me tell you, it can be done for less. At my first job that had an extremely conservative business dress code, I spent a little over $200…for the entire year. And while it did involve some repetition, I looked fabulous and professional, and I did not have to spend half my weekly paycheck to do it.

Here’s some of the tactics I used to find professional, good quality clothes without having to take out a second mortgage:

1. E-bay: E-bay is a gold mine for clothes. Measure yourself. Know the sizes that you wear in your favorite brands. When you look for clothes, look for clothes being sold by the lot. I’ve gotten several blouses, jackets, and skirts this way, often for under 20 dollars for three or four items. If you hate it when it arrives, you can always sell it. These are name brand, high quality clothes. You could go to Wal-Mart, or you can have something that lasts and had a high quality look and feel for about the same price. This is a good place for high quality shoes and bags as well.

2. Consignment shops: They are more expensive here than on E-bay, but you can try them on and there is more selection. Some places even sell shoes and bags for a reasonable price.

3. Yard sales: Measure yourself and keep those measurements and a tape measure in your purse. I’ve found fabulous women’s business clothes for two dollars and less a piece at yard sales.

4. Discount Stores- Places like Ross, Gordmans, and Target can be good for some basic pieces, and they often have clearance sales.

5. Thrift Stores- it takes some digging at times, but I’ve found the best clothes at thrift stores. If you know your skirt is starting to wear out, start looking at thrift stores. You will eventually find one, and if you buy it before you absolutely need it, you will avoid the emergency run to a high end department store.

Try to avoid clothes that need to be dry cleaned as much as you possibly can. That will save a small fortune right there. If that is not possible, collect dry cleaning coupons and/or see if you dry cleaner has specials for regulars. They often do.

You also don’t need as many clothes as many think! I found this formula in The Tightwad Gazette and used it with great success when I worked at a place with a very rigid business dress code.

Here’s the formula:You need nine pieces. Two blazers, three tops, and four bottoms. Make sure that all these items will coordinate with each other! I generally choose basic solid colors for the blazers and pants, like black or khaki.By doing this, you create 24 possible combinations of things to wear!You match:

Blazer #…..1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Top #……….1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3
Bottom #…..1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Make sure to have one or two pairs of shoes that go with everything. I wore the same black and navy blue heels the entire year I worked there, and nobody seemed to notice. The combinations can be dressed up with accessories.

It is possible to spend far less on work clothes than people think. It takes a little thought, but frugality is all about creative possibilities. And it is possible to wear appropriate, fabulous clothes for less!

Catherine is a 27 year old homemaker/temp employee/substitute teacher. In her spare time, she enjoys finding creative ways to be frugal and writing about it on her blog, Frugal Homemaker Plus. She lives in Wichita, KS with her husband, their roommate, and a mini-zoo of small animals.