from college to career: how to transition your wardrobe to make the right impression

Congrats grad, you did it! You’ve worked hard the past four years and more importantly, you’ve landed your first job! Your starting salary leaves something to be desired, but to make the right impression, you can’t be showing up to work in your infamous college t-shirt and ripped jeans combo you’ve been rocking the past eight semesters. Sorry babe, you’re batting in the big leagues now.

With deciding between health insurance plans and 401K options, the last thing you need to fret over is your wardrobe, which is why I’ve assembled an easy-to-follow, five-step guide that will help you live up to your interview promises.
 
Step 1: Know your office culture

• When you interviewed, what were other guys in the office wearing? Are we talking three-piece suites and pocket squares or shorts and polos? The best way to impress your bosses is to wear what others are wearing but wear it better. Now that you know what you’re dealing with, write it down and stick to it. Branch out a few months down the road if you’re feeling saucy, but don’t waste your hard-earned money on purchases that will sit in your closet for two years. 

 
Step 2: Take a look at your current wardrobe

• Do you have anything that will fit in with your office atmosphere or are you starting from scratch? Be critical and realistic. If you’re unsure about a piece, err on the side of caution. Physically separate your clothing: yeses on one side and noes on the other. Look through the no pile, is there anything you want to sell or donate? We could use a little extra dough and closet space #amiright? 

 
Step 3: Pick your leather color scheme

• Black or brown - pick one, write it down, and marry it. For those who don’t have much experience wearing more than slip-on Vans and Jansport backpacks, you’re going to have to invest in some versatile leather goods that work for you every day of the week. By leather goods, we’re talking everything from boots and dress shoes to belts and briefcases. As a general rule, black leather tends to be more dressy and brown leather is often times more casual. Take a peek at what you wrote down for Step 1 and peruse your “yes” pile from Step 2 to see which is going to work best for your office environment and current wardrobe.

Step 4: Choose complementary colors

• While complementary colors are largely a matter of personal preference, style, and skin tone, there are some colors to stay away from. Bright, neon colors like red, yellow, and green are a no-no. Stick with muted pastels and deep earth tones that fit with your personality and office culture. Bring these complementary colors out in everything from button-up shirts and polos to t-shirts and socks. These are the building blocks of your professional wardrobe, so make sure you feel confident in your choices before heading to the store. 

 
Step 5: Set your budget and pick your stores

• Your budget will largely depend on how many items you need to purchase and which stores you decide on. Remember that you’re investing in pieces that you will have for years to come, so think quality over quantity. 

 
That should be enough to get you started but stay tuned for my next article where I’ll show you where to shop to make the most of your budget!