Q. Dear Ms. Dawn,

I am going back to work after 5 years of being home-bound and I feel excited and scared at the same time. One of my worries is the dress code. All my clothes for the past five years are all for inside the house. I have a few dresses but they don’t qualify as corporate. Can you give me tips on how to build a corporate wardrobe with limited budget?  Thank you so much and more power.

Sincerely,

Shandi Bantog

Power dressing is one of the most valuable skills you should develop if you want to make a good impression in the workplace. Because let’s face it, first impressions always last and in the corporate world, our appearance is one of the things that help us land a business deal or get hired. It doesn’t, however, mean that you’ll need to break the bank just to look like a professional. By following simple guidelines, you can build a creative wardrobe for work that packs a lot of punch!

First of all, mobility is key. Choose styles that are movement-friendly, cool and comfortable. Depending on the environment you’ll work in, choose easy to manage cotton fabrics when your job takes you on location; and choose several lightweight fabrics like cotton mixed with wool to layer on to an outfit for cold offices where temperature rivals the North Pole.

When choosing wardrobe for the office, buy colors that are muted. Loud, neon colors and bold patterns are too much for the serious environment. You’ll do best wearing pinstripes or basic black, white and gray colors for your suits. You may take one element and wear it in a sober way. For example, a full red striped skirt can be worn with a crisp white blouse and a short gray jacket or cardigan.

When it comes to shoes, always go for comfort over style. If your work often keeps you walking or standing – you’ll be glad you’re wearing sensible soles. Take the cue from airline attendants, notice how their shoes always have just the right height (usually no more that 2 inches) and the heels are wide or thick enough to not get stuck in drainage holes. The right heels serve as foundation for better posture and balance, too (read: no more lower back pains). One more plus is when your insoles are made of thick cushioned pads. I like to buy from reputable feet-friendly brands like Naturalizer. If you find their prices a bit high, just think of the long term effect and comfort you’ll have. It’s better to invest in smart shoes that can last twice the lifetime of the trendier ones.

Before your first day in your work, make sure that you have all the essentials ready. Check your closet for these basic corporate pieces that can serve as your blank slate:

(1) long and short form-fitted jackets;
(2) pencil-cut skirts; (3) comfy slacks;
(4) long and short vests and cardigan sweaters; (5) several long-sleeved blouses in basic colors like gray, black, white, red, blue, brown, yellow, pink or green.

Once you have the basics, you can create several wonderful looks with them each day by adding chic accessories. Some of the basic accessories are: (1) Scarf (This must be wide enough to be worn either as a belt or around the collar); (2) Chain belt (This can double as a long necklace); (3) String of pearls (They don’t have to be the real thing); (4) A charming wristwatch (Avoid rubber straps. Go for leather); (5) Black or brown leather handbag (best if large enough to fit small personal essentials); (6) Wide-rimmed sunglasses; (7) An ornate cuff or bangle; (8) Chunky earrings.

Keep in mind that you need not wear all of them all at once and risk looking like a tray of trinkets. However, choose two or three pieces here that can enliven your wardrobe essentials. Remember that accessories are just add-ons to make complete a look. It should never overpower an outfit but rather complement it.

By picking up one color from any of the pieces from your wardrobe, for example, your green blouse, you can build around that if the scarf has the same touch of green and pair that with your basic sunglasses. What’s important is to always remember to stick within your budget and to choose muted or neutral colors when buying your wardrobe. You might even be able to pair them off with one of your old outfits so they serve as accent pieces. The money that you save goes into your accessories, which can play up your look and give your different ones.

I would suggest you try looking at wallet-friendly brands in Robinsons Department Store like Meg, Pink Lemonade, Candy, Urban and many others. Local brands in malls also carry great pieces. And if you have a bigger purse, check out imported brands like Trucco, Warehouse, and Dorothy Perkins. They all have great pieces that are perfect to use when mixing and matching.

I hope these tips have helped you! And good luck on getting back on the working saddle!