Choosing the perfect outfit can be tough. Choosing the perfect outfit for a job interview or professional environment can be even more nerve-wracking.
Before you spend a lot of money and several hours tearing apart your closet, consider a few tips for building your workday wardrobe.
Mixing and matching key pieces may be the easiest and most cost-efficient way to create versatile outfits appropriate for the workplace. Suit jackets, dress pants, skirts and dresses can all be interchangeable. You don't have to own 30 different outfits to always look fresh and well put together.
Local not-for-profit Dreams to Reality guides low-income women through the process of selecting appropriate interview and business apparel to meet employment goals. Board Chairman Liz Lehmann suggests starting out with eight key pieces.
"You can build a very nice wardrobe around eight pieces, whether it's three tops and five bottoms or four and four," Lehmann said.
The key is to choose pieces that coordinate well with one another.
The basics
Although the days of women wearing only skirt suits have gone, there is still something to be said for keeping those suits around, especially in the instance of interviews.
"You want to make the impression that you're taking this very serious. They're seeing your very best," Lehmann said.
Every career woman needs these few basics: a great pair of well-fitting pants in a neutral color - taupe, black or gray; a tailored blazer; a pretty blouse or shell that works under a blazer or on its own; a clean pencil skirt that hits just at or slightly above your knee; and the right accessories to complete your look.
Dillard's Department Store is known for its year-round annual basics. Ladies Department Manager Mari Beth Asmann said the essential suit is structured and creates a polished look. The fabric is meant for all seasons, and the pieces can be worn together or mixed with other items already in your closet.
"If you buy a piece now and then, come back to get another of that collection - the pieces will go together. You can always add on," Asmann said.
Choosing a pant or skirt suit can be the base to build upon. "These will last a long time. It's an investment in your wardrobe," Asmann said.
When choosing your base, try to start off buying what you'll wear most often - pants or skirts.
"A clean pencil skirt can be a solid or a subtle pattern or texture," said Sofia Wacksman, vice president of trend for Kohl's Department Stores. When choosing your blazer, Wacksman suggested, "keep it simple, and make sure it fits."
Solid-colored dresses can also be a nice base. By switching out a blazer for a cardigan and adding a belt or scarf, the dress is included in a whole new look.
The accessories
Once you have a good foundation of solid pieces to mix and match, you can work in color and pattern, and put your own personality and style on things. Your blouses and accessories are the best places for this. You can be fun with a polka dotted, subtly patterned or colored blouse; just remember to keep it modest. By adding a bright-colored tote and classic pair of pumps, your outfit is complete. This is also an inexpensive place to keep your wardrobe up to date by purchasing a few new pieces each season.
Changing out your accessories doesn't just help change your look from outfit to outfit; it can also influence an employer's first impression. You don't want to get too carried away, but by adding slight touches here and there, you are telling the employer you pay attention to detail. "It makes you look put together," Lehmann said.
Women receiving assistance through the Jefferson City Dreams to Reality usually take home 15-20 pieces of clothing, including basics and accessories. Clients are advised on how to make a great impression through their appearance.
"They'll usually judge you within five seconds," Lehmann said of job interviewers. Choosing the right outfit could make or break your chances for that new job. Lehmann said it's important to make sure you have two possible outfits right out of the gate, since many employers will have you come in for a second interview. You can achieve this through the mixing and matching principles - maybe wearing the same pants or skirt and switching out the top and shoes.
Obviously your outfit isn't the only thing on which you're being judged. Your attitude and confidence play a huge role - and, on some level, those can be affected by how you feel in the clothes you choose.
"Most important is that you feel great in your clothes and they don't speak for you - they just give you the confidence you need to have an amazing interview," Wacksman said.