If I had $500 to spend on a business casual wardrobe from scratch, this is what I’d buy:
2 pairs of pants – $79
Assuming you won’t wear skirts or dresses to work (like I do, for some clients), I’d definitely pick up 2 pairs of pants.
You can’t go wrong with dark grey or black, but make them distinctively different but not flashy. You don’t want co-workers to think you wear the same pair of pants everyday (even if you do :P)
You can find really great pairs of pants for around $50 each, so $120 is a reasonable estimate.
Note: Please don’t get caught up on what stores they come from. Stores change every season and there are different things to look at and buy in each store, so just keep your eyee peeled.
5 blouses – $166
Blouses are easy to find, but you have to make sure you buy tops that will cover your shoulders, and cover your cleavage enough to not be labelled as an office tart.
2 sweaters – $89.50
Something that is comfortable but still stylish without being too formal or too casual.
2 pairs of shoes – $46
Covered shoes, low heel.. nothing too high or too fancy when you are going for a basic wardrobe.
Jewellery – $20?
Pick what you want.
I like necklaces (obviously)… but don’t go crazy with the jewellery until you’ve finished with the above basics.
TOTAL = $400.50
Still $99.50 leftover which I guess could partly go to taxes, or buying higher quality in other items if you’d like.
Other Tips
Seasonal Clothing is not included above
I am just assuming office wear. Having winter boots to wear to work, then changing into pumps, or having a winter jacket is not factored in, because this is just a business casual wardrobe on the cheap.
Always look out for seasonal sales
When it’s the end of winter, pick up sweaters on sale; when it’s the end of summer, pick up blouses on sale.
Also look out for 2-for-1 sales, discounts.. the whole shebang.
Visit all the stores before buying anything
What I do is if I am looking for something in particular, I visit ALL the stores and try on EVERYTHING I can imagine.
Then I take a picture of it to remind myself, make a note on my notepad about the price, the fit, the size I liked, and the quality, and then at the end of the day I go through my notes.
This helps me map what I want to my budget for what I can splurge or save on.
Then I go back the next day, and just pick up everything without trying it on again.
Invest more time and don’t rush
When you don’t have a lot of money to spend, you need to invest a lot more time. You simply don’t have the luxury of just buying the first perfect item you see, because it might be too expensive, which leaves you $0 for the rest of your essentials.
Thrift shopping is a great bargain
I know some of you are thinking “ick!” but I have found some pretty great things in thrift stores, namely accessories, but also dresses and tops.
Pants are a hit and miss because people tend to hem them, or wear out certain areas (thighs), so I stick to tops, dresses and accessories when I go thrift store shopping.
Having the same colour palette helps
That way, you can’t say that you can’t find anything to wear! Keep to the same tones and you’ll go a lot farther than mixing colours that clash.
Stores in Canada
Decent quality, reasonably priced
- Ricki’s — Highly recommended
- Dynamite — Highly recommended
- Suzy Shier — Quality is a hit and miss, but I’ve found good things here
- Smart Set — Quality has diminished in the years
- Zara — Prices are a hit and miss
- Reitman’s — kind of a middle-aged crowd, but some items are good
Higher end, more expensive
- Banana Republic — Good pants run around $95 each but look for sales
- Club Monaco — Great sales at times
- Cassis — I LOVE this store
- Jacob — Quality is a hit and miss
- Le Chateau — Quality is a hit and miss, sometimes not worth the price :\
GOOD LUCK!
Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.
I cleared $60,000 in 18 months earning $65,000 gross/year.
Now I am self-employed, and you can read more about 
I also find good stuff at H&M. Prices are perfect but like you said for a few of your suggestions, quality is hit & miss. I bought a khaki trench coat from there like 3 years ago for $70 and it is classic. It’s helping me blend in with native Parisians! 😉
Aritzia also has gems if you’re willing to be creative and a little edgy. Super expensive but excellent quality. I have two blazers from there and they look so incredible with EVERYTHING from jeans to dress pants to shorts. My Mackage leather jacket is also a staple that looks awesome casual or dressy. I also can’t live without their printed tank tops. Very unique patterns and can withstand the abuse of my washing machine lol
Oh and Forever 21 is a win for funky blouses and cheap jewelry. I’ve had stuff fall apart from there, but I’ve also had things last for 6+ years and continue to be a wardrobe face even though they only cost like $11 in the first place.
I’ve got to replace some of my wardrobe (good bye grad student clothes) and I needed a post like this to point me in the right direction. My go-to footwear for the office are a pair of black flats. Comfy and dressy.
I think one of the best places to get business-casual clothing at a good price is consignment stores. Usually the stuff has to be in good shape and from a recognizable name brand to make it there. Focus on chains in nice neighborhoods that buy a lot from fashionable professional women (the Second Time Around chain comes to mind) rather than ones in hipster/college neighborhoods (which have too casual a selection). At STA, you can often find blouses from J.Crew/Banana/Anthro for under $20 and ones from Theory/Tahari/Thomas Pink for under $50.
Also agree that Payless shoes qualities are pretty bad. You don’t want your feet smelling and not being able to breathe! 😉
I like H&M clothes- I find their quality really good (some of the fabrics are so nice and soft) and they are cheap.
Not so much for Dynamite, Suzy Sheir, or Smart Set.
Jacob’s quality isn’t good either. I used to work there in high school and all the turtlenecks I bought ended up getting holes in them.
I love the blouses. The only thing I would add to this list: (extra $90) LEGGINGS. I love to wear leggings when it’s chilly out with a nice blouse and I think you can dress them up nicely. I think I have them in every color and they are super comfy. Great post! Makes me want to go shopping. Don’t tell my bf! 🙂
I have to say a black blazor is critical. Goes with everything and can dress up any outfit. I would go with a long sleeve rather than a 3/4 so it can be worn during all seasons.
I always have problems finding good clothes. There aren’t enough stores that carry bigger sizes. And even if they do, it was just an expanded pattern instead of a redesigned pattern so the arm holes are HUGE. I do shop at Old Navy, but their style is becoming less and less dressy.
I keep my eyes peel for great deals on work clothes ALL the time. I work in downtown so Banana Republic is quite accessible. I often score pants for less than $30 🙂 That’s the final sale price usually, but I don’t mind! If it fits and it’s a great deal and great quality, why not? 🙂
I also often score tops from Banana Republic for less than $30. I bought 2 merino wool sweaters in Feb from Banana Republic for $35 (tax included). 🙂 So always keep your eyes out for deals! 🙂
Great ideas to get staples that is always going IN for the office. However, I wouldn’t visit all stores before buying anything, unless that’s what you like to do. I would suggest going to a few stores that you know you always like (their style, quality, and fit) and go when they have seasonal sales. I find that spending half a day at the mall just to find a shirt for $5 less costs more if you count in the time you spent finding it, UNLESS shopping is how you relax.
For pants, I’d avoid pairs like the second pair shown above, with the pronounced flare, and instead go with a straight leg, or a wide leg (but not a flare). The low-waistband, super-flared style shown above seems too much like clubwear, circa 2000. Also, I’d avoid synthetics like those as they do not hold up well. I also agree with the person below–scrap the two pairs of synthetic cheap black heels from Payless and instead get one pair in real leather from the sale rack at a mid range retailer. $50 will get you a pair of black leather heels or flats on sale from Nine West, Bandolino, or Steve Madden.
Payless shoes are usually synthetic. I would spend more on leather that is comfy.