Making a Basic Career Wardrobe During College #2

I've decided to test out my own theory from this previous posting on the bare necessities for college professionalism. Here is what I would have considered for my beginning career wardrobe.

Clothes:

top row (left to right) : Banana Republic tweed blazer, mandarin style grey silk blouse

bottom row(left to right): Yoanna Baraschi black pencil skirt, Banana Republic slacks, short sleeved Odille button down, Victoria's Secret New French Cuff Shirt.

Shoes: 

ALDO caul pumps

Total pieces: 7

You may observe that there is no suit. I've opted for a complete wardrobe of separates because a suit feels like too much of a commitment. You have to get both pieces dry cleaned together. What will happen if I outgrow one part but not the other? Living in Texas, I can honestly say that wearing a suit in the heat is a special kind of hell. I tried to make sure that my blouse tops would be fine without the blazer. As an extra heat precaution, the blouses are good summer fabrics like silk and cotton. I wanted a skirt for variety. The title picture shows a brown striped pencil skirt (you can't really see the brown though) which would have been my first choice.

(sigh) Banana Republic striped pencil skirt

I've out grown it. This is one of the main reasons why an initial career wardrobe should be small: your size fluctuates. Nothing really brings down the excitement of an interview like finding out your butt is exploding out of your pants. That sad truth aside, I felt that the skirt added a nice pattern to a primarily color blocked wardrobe. I cannot conceive where the idea that black and brown don't go together came from; my skin is naturally tan and I have black hair I like to think that I was not born tacky. Would you tell a Rottweiler they're tacky? 

Try telling this face he's tacky.

Anyway, how does it all turn out?

Generally, everything is mix and match. There's no confusion with the shoes as there is only one pair and the blazer is optional. It's a nice little collection. The mandarin blouse and the ruffled white button down offer some nice variety and enough quirkiness to keep me satisfied. Go have at it! Be discriminating. Pick versatile pieces. Nude pumps go with everything. A professional wardrobe does not have to be something you hate. Make sure everything fits and keep the weather in mind.