Back to workwear: Office style for the budget conscious

Most young corporate employees do not have a sizeable enough budget for extravagant workwear. By the time they shell out their hard-earned euro on rent, energy bills and supermarket shopping, there is usually too much month left at the end of the money. Unless you have a high-powered career with a Google-sized salary, chances are you are struggling to find affordable fashion with professional edge. So the smart move is to hunt down bargains on the high street and mix them with vintage finds in second-hand stores.

Penneys has a selection of classic blazers that work well with blouses and fine knits from past seasons. Pitched mid-price range, they come in sharp shades of navy, charcoal and grey that can be teamed with skirts or trousers in neutral shades.

Statement accessories can elevate mundane workwear to striking effect. For women, think oversized earrings, colourful scarves or funky brooches for inspiration, along with patterned nylons in the cooler autumn months.

Thrifty shoppers get bonus points for initiative by combing charity shops for designer labels and one-off gems. Ralph Lauren sweaters, Dolce & Gabbana jackets and Valentino skirts are waiting along the rails for those prepared to rummage. The vintage trend is also popular with men who can track down classic Armani jackets and Boss suits from designer resale site Vestiaire Collective or shops such as Designer Exchange in Dublin.

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One item it’s important not to be too stingy with the budget on is shoes; poor quality or scuffed shoes really can considerably cheapen an outfit. Push your budgetary boat out to invest in a sophisticated brand of loafers or brogues for men or, for women, a pair of quality heels.

This season traffic-light red is the colour that will get you noticed in the board room. River Island has a super-smart red trouser suit. If you feel a bit too loud in all-over block colour just add a pop of it, via a red sweater or scarf, to liven up your classic suiting.

Black leather jackets never go out of fashion and are continually recycled – one person’s cast-off is another one’s lucky treasure. Select a classic style with a tailored, suit finish for the office; the biker version will fit in better at the weekend.

Prom and peplum midi-skirts are a hot favourite on the fashion ramps for AW23. The convenient length means you only have to apply fake tan from your knees down, cutting the cost of your Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs spray to boot. The more adventurous dresser might like to add cute ankle socks and a flat pair of laced Doc Martens. Or, if you like high heels, plump for stilettos and a classic cashmere sweater.

A structured leather handbag is always strong statement piece as well as a convenient repository for phones, wallets and diaries. You don’t have to blow a year’s salary on a Birkin bag or a month’s earnings on a Celine heirloom – check out labels including Longchamp, Cos and Coach. Try thrift shops and consignment outlets such as Cobbler’s Wardrobe and Unit K in Sandymount for deals.

Men don’t need to drop hundreds of euro on a new suit either. Relaxed chinos worn with a crisp cotton T-shirt or an open-neck shirt can be given a formal edge with a tailored jacket, or a casual touch with a light, zipped bomber jacket. Penneys can sort you out with casual midweek looks too, along with old reliables from Marks & Spencer.

Layering rings the changes as the weather gets cooler so gather some fine-knit jumpers for wearing over shirts and under jackets, along with accessories such as scarves for guys and pashminas for women. Consider rolling one up into your briefcase or handbag for walking home.

Textured fabrics are a good way to embrace the cooler months – think chunky coats, velvet, corduroy and ribbed woollen jackets. Also be mindful of sustainable brands and companies that use ethical production practices and upcycled fashion items. The key is to have fun with your office fashion while still maintaining professionalism.

If you are on a limited clothing budget, concentrate on accumulating classics over fad fashions. So, if there is a choice between purchasing a plum/burgundy/brown three-piece suit or a more neutral navy/black or grey suit, choose the latter. Neutral trench coats will last a decade but if women fall for the latest yellow trends they may find themselves standing out like a canary for all the wrong reasons.

Some men wear the same outfit day-in and day-out, as if they are in the Riverdance troupe – black T-shirts with black skinny jeans and black crew-neck jumpers become the daily uniform. Although this is a simple device for eliminating morning sartorial conundrums, it could be interpreted as unhygienic by colleagues who don’t realise you have 40 identical black T-shirts and 30 pairs of black skinny jeans. Let them in on your trick if that is the case.

Beware of common wardrobe malfunctions that can dismantle a sophisticated outfit. Patterned bras visible under transparent blouses are an all-too-frequent faux pas, for instance, and men’s trousers that reveal builder’s bottoms when they are seated can be – although possibly entertaining for staff and colleagues – highly embarrassing.

Another big no-no is exiting the restroom with the hem of your skirt stuck in your underwear – surprisingly easy to do when the work pressure is high or the cocktails are flowing. Flying low with trouser zips can be misconstrued and even lead to HR complaints, while wearing a short, flared skirt on a windy day can attract attention for all the wrong reasons. Oh, and on the morning before that big board meeting, take a moment to make sure your socks match and the buttons of your blouse are all present and correct.

Building up a collection of work style concepts that you can revolve over weeks takes time, so choose wisely and make sure your fashion finds are interchangeable and flexible.