First the really great news: I’ve got a job. A part time, local job which I hope is going to be perfect for me and my family. I’m viewing it as an opportunity to get out of the house for a few hours a week, meet new people and also earn a little money to build up the mortgage over payments. All good I hope.
Second comes the part that requires a little thinking. Work clothes.
I’ve been happily living with less than 30 items of clothing for eighteen months now, but my minimalist casual wardrobe will not cut it in the workplace, so I need clothes….quickly! I’ll be working four small shifts (and I already have black trousers), so it’s just a case of buying a few mix and match items for my top half. If we were currently in the midst of winter I would be ok (I have black and grey jumpers), but as its summer, I need a few lighter tops.
I don’t have too much time to shop around (not that I’d want to, I really dislike clothes shopping nowadays), so tomorrow I’m going to make a mad dash to the shops…I’m thinking four new items? The last thing I want to do is spend too much money, or add to my minimalist wardrobe unnecessarily, however I do need to look smart…..I’ll also need a haircut.
Spending money to work is where the real hourly wage calculation comes in, and I’m not looking to reduce mine too much 
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Hope you find some affordable items! Can you shop consignment for cheaper (but dressier) work clothes there? We have a high end consignment shop around the corner from us & they have gorgeous items! Good luck!
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laura Reply:
June 7th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
Thanks Carla! We don’t really have consignment stores here, but I’ve has success and found a couple of tops that will do for time being
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Congrats! Great news! Like Carla, I was going to suggest a consignment shop. I have a coworker who works with our uber high-net worth donors and she always looks AMAZING. She recently told me that most of her clothes come from a consignment shop near her home. I just assumed her husband was wealthy and she had this job for kicks. She thought that was hilarious, of course.
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Laura Reply:
June 7th, 2011 at 8:27 am
@consciously frugal Thank you! We don’t really have consignment shops here, it’s mainly small charity shops. I’m heading off to the big city today (not for too long!) so I’m hoping to find a couple of things.
I love that your coworker can look amazing on a dime…I wish I could pull that off
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Good for you Laura! I was thinking that 30 items wasn’t a lot, but then had to remind myself that when I travel for long periods, I only carry about 15 items (not counting underwear but counting jackets etc).
Can you get some things that can later be used for casual wear when you aren’t working again or working at a different kind of job? My old m.o. used to be “never buy an item of clothing that a man could possibly wear” – then, to my horror, my ex came out of the bathroom in one of my silk robes one time. It was pink too. And he weighed about 200# at the time and I weighed 125. The horror.
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Laura Reply:
June 7th, 2011 at 8:19 am
Thanks Jacq! I’m looking for a few simple plain black/grey tops, most of the other workers wear plainish stuff so that makes it easier.
Lol at your ex in a silk robe…..now I have an image in my head!
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Congrats Laura! When I left my corporate job last year, I got rid of almost all my professional clothes. Now my daily uniform (working from home, but also out and about) consists of my bottoms which could be black, khaki or denim and pants or capris. For the top half, I have a collection of solid bright colored tee shirts. If I want to dress up, I can add a scarf or necklace, or even a jacket (I kept a few!)
Good luck with finding something quickly!
Bernice
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Laura Reply:
June 7th, 2011 at 8:22 am
Thanks Bernice. I ditched all my corporate stuff too, although it was too big anyway (yay for a little weightloss). I love to wear a scarf too and they really brighten up a ‘plainish’ top.
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I hate shopping too!! But I really need to update my work wardrobe. I’ve put on a few pounds, and while I was wearing casual slacks and tops- as I’ve gained my few extra pounds I’ve lost the ability to fit into them. I’ve been reduced to jeans & tshirts again.
Good luck on your shopping trip!
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Laura Reply:
June 7th, 2011 at 8:13 am
Thanks Sandy..I’ll need it, I have no inclination to go today but I need too lol
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I second the dressed up T option. I have to dress up in suits for work and I even wear them under my suit jacket and no one is the wiser. Put on a nice necklace and you’re golden.
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Laura Reply:
June 8th, 2011 at 6:21 pm
@First Gen American I don’t need to wear a suit to this job which in a lot of ways makes it harder to dress for (I used to wear t’s under my jacket all the time too)…I’ve found a couple of cotton blouses, which with the shirts I have already will do for now
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Congratulations on the new job Laura! That’s great news!
And ugh, work clothes. I hate to shop for clothes too, but I also hate feeling underdressed in the workplace. I have no doubt that you’ll find a great little collection of work clothes you can mix and match without spending a ton of money.
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Laura Reply:
June 10th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
Thank you Jenny! I can’t believe how lucky I’ve been in my search…hopefully the job will be just right for me
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Congratulations on the job! I’ve done some posts recently about ‘back to work’ clothes too (I had them stored in my parents attic during my maternity leave). I thought I’d have to buy a few top-ups but in the last week I’ve realised my needs are a lot less than I thought (working part time instead of full time makes a huge difference in this respect). I totally agree that you don’t want to start ‘paying to work’ though. I think it just takes a few thoughtfully purchased items here and there to keep you ticking over. Good luck with everything – hope to see you kicking the banks a**e in you v them!!
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Laura Reply:
June 10th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
@Shoestring. All my old work stuff has gone because of my 30lbs weightloss (yay!) so I did need a few new things…you’re right though, part time makes it easier.
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Shoestring Reply:
June 10th, 2011 at 8:38 pm
30 pounds! WOW – go you! Wish I could shed the last half stone of baby weight, then I could wear all of my old stuff (most of it fits now but some things still don’t look right). Sounds like you’ve got the reverse problem though! x
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Congrats on the job Laura!
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Laura Reply:
June 10th, 2011 at 6:48 pm
Thank you so much Louise
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Congratulations on the job, Laura! I hope the shopping goes/went well.
I never have time or energy for clothes shopping, so my closet is quite minimalist as a result. I’m pretty sure my husband has more work tops than I do.
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Laura Reply:
June 11th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
Thanks Lindy!
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Congrats on the job! And abroad too — my pipe dream one day. (I think I can, I think I can…) I’m so glad I found your blog!
Sometimes I wonder if my co-workers think I wear the the same things to work every, lol. Hopefully you found some good deals in your area.
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Laura Reply:
June 12th, 2011 at 11:48 am
Hi Lane! Thank you! Where do you want to move to?
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Scarves and earrings seem to give a more dressed up look for work with a simple plain tshirt. Congrats on the new job!
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Laura Reply:
June 18th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Hello! Thank you!
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