I am transitioning from a healthcare job where my daily uniform is scrubs to a professional office setting. While I do have some outfits that qualify as business casual, I need to expand my wardrobe. I generally dislike shopping in general. Any specific websites or retailers you suggest? Already exploring Amazon and Zappos. Thanks in advance!
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Isn’t Kohl’s like Marshalls where you have to search through all the clothes hoping yey have your size rather than having a selection of options and picking out your size? Always found it tedious digging through the randomness.
No
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Gap, because their regular length clothing runs taller than most other brands.
Thrift stores can also be good but yes, that means some heavy shopping.
What style are you aiming for? Can you wear jeans or is it more a “slacks and heels” version of business casual?
No jeans. Just the usual pants/blouse. I don’t do heels…well at least not high ones. Must be comfortable.
Express has great tall business slacks! I haven’t tried their tops though. Always trying to find places that sell tall clothes.
I’m just the opposite. Short legs. Normal person’s capris are like regular pants for me 🤣
You might do fine with Amazon then, the Asian sizing never works for me because even if I order an XL (S/M in or Small Tall US sizing, usually L/XL Asian) they don’t fit, too short in every way. But it’s so great for petites who are usually having to hem everything. And will save you from having to go to the store (I hate that too) .
I recently had to build out my business casual wardrobe as well. Madewell has taken so much of my money for both regular clothes and business ones. Decent deals on sale and generally a great quality. I’m also tall, and they tend to offer a tall version of everything which is so lovely.
Zara on sale had some decent deals of meh quality stuff, and I did some last bit of filling out with h&m stuff since the clothes budget was blown. H&m has some stuff that will look good for a bit, but long-term quality isn’t great.
Khakis and a dress shirt. If you want to go fancier, go to stichfix or something.
I get pretty much everything from Value Village, but I am also signed up to Reitmans so I can watch for sales in case a sale lines up with extra money. A lot of the girls in my office have gone the Shein route, and while they are technically business casual it looks like obviously cheap, shitty clothing.
Yeah, i checked out the Shein website today. Was not a fan.
And when it arrives it looks even worse, all creased up and disproportionate.
I’ve also noticed a lot of people have a tendency to wear the clothes straight outofthe package, and with the chemicals and lead that are in the clothes, I can’t imagine that being very healthy in the long term.
I am so glad I work in a industry without serious professional dress requirements. I don’t think I’ve ever worked with someone who dresses as fashionably on the clock as my current GM, and all my contact with corporate has entailed jeans and company logo t-shirts. Apparently once a year or so they send off personal clothing items to be vinyled or embroidered with the company logo to make them officially work clothes. I could never dress “businesses casual” and maintain my current level of performance.
Yes! I loved wearing scrubs. Moreover, each patient care specialty (MD, RN, PT dietary, etc.) wear their own specific colors. Didn’t have to think about anything other than making sure they were washed.
Tbh I put a lot of thought and effort into how I look and dress. But I don’t look traditionally traditionally professionally at all. I oscillate between a softcore clowncore and a practical goth look. And I’m grateful the cannabis industry allows that. I represent the company excellently, and my unique style is part of it.
My girlfriend went from being an RN to working at a business casual tech company.
She buys stuff from Madewell, Everlane, J Crew, Old Navy, Ann Taylor, and then one-offs from other brands she doesn’t frequent as much.
(Also, if you commute via public transit - she has sneakers for walking like Hokas and ON shoes, and then keeps a couple pairs of flats in the bottom drawer of her desk cabinet. This is something I’ve seen a lot of women do at the tech companies I have worked at.)
Thanks for the tip about keeping a pair of flats at the office. Comfortable feet = very important
Everlane is a solid choice. They focus on styles that are timeless and well constructed so you can shop less. I have clothes I bought from them 7 or 8 years ago that I still get complimented on wearing and look fantastic. I find them affordable - but I realize that won’t be for everyone.
My partner buys hers at NY&Co, because they have the tall dress pants.
