Buying Work Clothes

When you're looking for a job, there are two types of clothing you'll need. The first type is clothing you'll need for the interview. The second type is the clothes you'll wear every day at work. Depending on the job, these types of clothes could be similar or they could be very different.

For most interviews, it's a good idea to dress up a bit. Women should wear a dress or skirt and blouse, while men should wear dress pants and a shirt with a collar. A tie is always a safe bet and you can add a suit jacket if you desire. For more conservative companies, men should probably wear a suit.

After you've landed the job, try to dress like your coworkers. If they wear dresses and suits every day, then do the same thing. If the office has a "casual dress" policy, men and women usually are allowed to wear nice pants or slacks and shirts or blouses. Just remember that "casual" doesn't necessarily mean what you would wear at home on the weekend!

Some experts also say that you should dress for the job you want to have. If you want to be promoted eventually, then wear the same style outfits as those in the positions you seek.

For more technical- or trade-oriented jobs, wear clothing that allows you to perform your duties comfortably and safely. Again, notice what others are wearing and match that look. Some employers provide uniforms for their employees, which takes a lot of the guesswork—and expense—out of getting dressed every morning.

A work wardrobe can cost a lot of money, but you can trim those costs and still dress appropriately. Here are some tips:

• Shop at used clothing stores and consignment shops. These stores sell low-cost clothing that often is very high quality.
• Borrow or swap work clothes with friends and relatives.
• Check into nonprofit groups that make interview clothes available to qualifying job seekers.
• Stick with classic styles in neutral colors to maximize the number of combinations you can wear from just a few pieces.