Building a Work Wardrobe

So that time in my life is fast approaching. Going from a strict dress code to the relative freedom of business casual/business wear. That also means my wardrobe needed a slight boost in terms of work appropriate wear. Yes, I have lots of fun dresses and skirts, but to be honest, not quite in line with my new field of work. 

That is where my local thrift stores come in. Since money is a bit tight at the moment, I couldn't go out and buy a brand new wardrobe, as much fun as that would have been. So I spent the last month supplementing my old wardrobe into something new. Did you know that the Goodwill stores have days where certain color tags are $1.29? Crazy! I would say about 90% off what I picked up was new with tags, which is awesome.

Blazers & Jackets:

Old Navy/JCrew/Anthropologie/Esprit/H&M/BCBG

Skirts:

Anthropologie/Banana Republic/H&M/Anthropologie

Pants:

Left Side: Lauren by Ralph Lauren/Ann Taylor/Rachel Roy Signature

Right Side: Banana Republic/Ann Taylor/Random 

Dresses:

Shabby Apple (Won through Jess c/o Shabby Apple)/H&M (camera added a white dot)

Cardigans & Toppers:

Top Row: Anthropologie/Anthropologie/Gap/White House Black Market

Bottom Row: Jacob/Gap/JCrew/Ann Taylor Loft

Blouses & Shirts:

Top Row: Ann Taylor Loft/Ann Taylor/Banana Republic/Ann Taylor/Chaus

Middle Row: Jacob/Mexx/JCrew/Anthropologie

Bottom Row: Express/INC/Ann Taylor

I tried to stick to things that would mix and match well, hence the mostly black, purple, green, and blue shades. I was hoping to pick up a blue or green pencil skirt while searching but no luck yet. The JCrew double serge in Warm Jade would really float my boat. Oh and neck bow-tied blouses? Love them.

In total, I think I spent under $100 for 19 new items. I know some people aren't keen on the idea of thrifting, but when things come with tags on them still, hard to pass up silk shirts and wool pants for under $5. I also think the mix of what I had before and what I added works well together.

What Jess Sews: Ticking Stripe Dress

Thanks to the lovely thatdamngreendress, I can name my creation. Although not original, I didn't know the name of the pattern and after she told me, I could at least name it.

I used the dirndl skirt and bodice pattern from the Built By Wendy: Dresses book, but I shortened the length, added cap lace sleeves, and added an insert into the neckline. The book was easy to follow (but it has very basic picture instructions), although I did have to refresh my knowledge on darts, as the book did not mention them. I made a few mistakes along the way, but I now know how to avoid, and fix them easily.

Here it is in a recent outfit of the day.

Loft outlet army green jacket, vintage 1960s fish necklace, Hayden Harnett Zelda boots, random belt.

The lace is a bit girly girl, but I really like the scalloped edge. I think it balances out the stripes.

My favorite part of the dress is how the stripes go horizontal on the skirt, vertical on the bodice, and diagonal along the neckline.

Hope the week is going well for you! Anything exciting happen to you so far?

Ootd: Spring is right around the corner

Ahh fantastic sunny day this afternoon, had to go find some pictures to take.

 This one is my favourite from today. Sums up this time of the year perfectly to me (yes, dead stuff getting out of the way of new stuff, how morbid of me?)

Forever 21 (Love21) blue and taupe shirtdress. Loft taupe side ruffle cardigan. Gap pindot tights, Hayden Harnett Madeleine boots.

 Joya & Vane perfume locket watch necklace. Bit shorter in length then I hoped, silly me for not confirming chain length. I am considering picking up some more chain and adjusting.

Pattern mixing! Baby steps Jess, baby steps.