Work wardrobe - help, I have no idea what I'm doing!

[LadyGoodDriver]

It's a very long time since I've had to dress smartly for work and I think I'm going a bit bonkers with all the excitement. I've been on a buying spree and am wearing a different outfit every day, totally different style etc. Haven't really nailed how smart or casual I want to be. All the choices are stressing me out!

So tell me, please - how many different outfits do I need and how long do I wear each one for? And what do you do about work clothes that need to be dry cleaned?

I need to be smart/casual at work (public sector, professional but not formal). I have 2 pairs of trousers one black one blue, some nice tops which I wear with cardigans ( I know!) a couple of skirts and a couple of wrap jersey dresses. In summer I add things from my non work wardrobe like a lighter dress.

And nothing that needs dry cleaning!

you need about 7 or 8 outfits so you dont feel you're wearing the same thing over and over again. I have about 4 different shift dresses that I can wear with either a jacket or cardigan or on their own. In summer with flats or heels etc, in winter with opaques and boots. I prefer these as I dont have to worry too much about "which top" or anything else. I also have about 3 pairs of trousers, and a couple of pencil skirts I can wear with either a shirt or blouse, again in summer or winter, with a cardi or jacket. Mine are all in black/grey/navy (I have to wear these colours) with the colour coming from the tops

I am rubbish at the capsule wardrobe thing, I own a gazillion skirts, dresses, 7/8 length trousers, blouses and tops that I rotate endlessly (and keep buying more )

But I never buy anything that needs dry cleaning (aside from winter coats obviously); the cost and hassle of it means I end up not wearing the item.

This is helpful thanks - the other thing I'm puzzling over is how often to change my outfit? Something different each day of the week or the same thing a few days running?

I wear something different everyday of the week.

I have around 10 days of outfits but I can mix these up and make more for example.
I have a grey pair of trousers which I will wear with a shirt then the following day I will wear same trousers but with a fitted sweater/jersey.

I do the same with skirts. I have different tops which will dress up or dress down what I am wearing on the bottom half.
Accessories also change the look of an outfit so I tend to spend quite a bit on scarfs/jewellery/handbags.

I also have some expensive items which I team with cheaper items so I don't spend too much money on work clothes.

Something different every day. I have two skirts, lots if tops with black trousers (jeans). But we can go v casual. In winter I rotate a load if dresses. Need to get some more but too skint!

I'm public sector so smart casual but as a senior manager, I err on the side of smart.

I have 3 dresses, 5 skirts, 4 cardigans, 3 pairs of trousers, a pile (10?) of tops ranging from smart t-shirt through blouses to cami tops, which I wear with a cardi.

Everything is mix and match and as my office is hot I tend to wear short sleeves and layer up with cardigans and some stuff is smarter for board meeting days and some a bit more casual for fridays.

I would wear trousers or a skirt a couple of days running but usually change the top so it looks different.

Its taken me about 2 years to organise my work wardrobe to this and I have to resist the urge to splurge on new clothes, which don't fit in, but since I've organised my wardrobe this way, life is much easier in the morning.

I have too much choice. Tend to wear pencil skirts with a shirt/top and a cardigan if cold. At present I'm also wearing pretty sundresses.

For winter I have a few nice dresses.

If you do only get a few outfits try to make sure you don't wear the same thing on the same day each week. I have what work call my Wednesday outfit....

You could possibly wear a plain black skirt or trousers on two days running, but that's as far as I would stretch it. What I mean is that I'd wear different tops each day and also different bottoms if they're distinctive.

I wouldn't wear the same thing twice in a week. A few weeks of that and it'll feel like every day.

Also spend the money on the main pieces. I will spend a lot more on a really great dress or jacket that fits well and will not date. Then get cheaper bits like the tops or scarves that won't matter if you get bored with them. I also have two very nice coats that will last for years. And leather shoes. Cheap ballet flats for example always look cheap and don't last.

I am public sector too, so smart but not too formal. Wear something different every day or people will think you haven't washed it.

I find dresses work best because then you haven't got a wardrobe packed full of bits and pieces and you don't have to think about it too much. I have got about 15 dresses and wear with a cardigan or jacket, with wedges in the summer and boots in the winter.

Good boots and a good coat will go a long way. I would say go for smart but comfortable, and don't buy anything too cheap/tight or that needs dry cleaning.

Hobbs washable suits- really worth the money as they look great and save on dry cleaning.

I have three suits but the mix jackets dresses& skirts so eg I might wear my black suit and dress one day but then my black skirt with my grey jacket. I also have a few printed dresses to go under the different jackets.