I'm Starting Work at a Bank, What Can I Wear? - Ask the Editor

by Sarah Cristobal (Subscribe to Sarah Cristobal's posts)
Posted Jan 12th 2010 at 9:00PM

Photo: Ann Taylor Loft/MCT

Q: I'm going to start working at a bank, and I have no clue what to wear! What can I wear or not wear?

A: This is such a good question! With outfits becoming increasingly more casual in the work place, it is hard to know what is office appropriate.

The good news is that you can easily fill any gaps in your closet with a few key items. Office attire should look professional but also not deviate too much from what you are comfortable wearing on a daily basis.

Easy items to acquire that would certainly suffice for a new job at a bank include: a crisp button-down shirt (or two), a sensible pair of black pants (no pleats please!), a classic black pump, a day dress, a not-too-flashy blazer, a pencil skirt, and a classic cardigan. With this mix of items, you could easily create a week's worth of looks.

Those essential pieces will look great and be very suitable. If you're looking to experiment a bit more, then a seasonal sweater dress such as the one seen here will virtually never go out of style. The added bonus is that it can be easily accessorized to your liking.

As for what not to wear, well, if you would wear it out to the club, it's probably not acceptable for a corporate atmosphere. Save anything that is too short, too tight, or too low-cut for a saucy night out.

Here are some great office options from Shopstyle.

Need answers to more burning fashion, beauty, and celebrity style questions? Check out our Ask the Editor section to find out if your query has already been addressed!

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Filed under: Fashion, Stylish Living, How to Wear
Tags: ask-the-editor, office attire, OfficeAttire, what to wear, WhatToWear, workplace

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READER COMMENTS

(3)Add A Comment

michael, 1-13-2010, 7:05AM

There is a new site in the UK which offers clothes specifically for work. It's very handy for us working women. Good luck! http://www.wearittowork.co.uk

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TheWorkingWardrobe, 1-13-2010, 1:22PM

With a conservative banking dress code, I would recommend being creative with items underneath a dress or vest. For example, a ruffled neck blouse may be too much for a bank on its own, but worn underneath a v-neck black dress with a skinny belt is very professional and allows you to play with what you may already have to work with your new dress code. I publish a business fashion blog called http://theworkingwardrobe.com/. If you want more tips, please feel free to check it out!

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rainwng86, 1-22-2010, 9:44PM

Short But Classic Words To Make You More Beautiful

"Always lack of a garment"seems to be a trouble.But if you are diligent enough and really realize to understand the "words of apparel",you can be the most beautiful women.Spring is coming,I guess that many friends will worry about dressing.I give you some courses and hope to help you.

Build up you own dressing style step by step and treat trend objectively

Only one reason for these dressing-masters ,whoever are designers or famous people, to impress us deeply is that they have created their own styles.Do you love the sensibility of Sophia Loren wearing silk dress,the elegance of Jacqueline Kennedy wearing sunglass,or the grace of Hepburn wearing black one-piece dress?It is too hard for you to create aesthetics but you should have your own ideas about beauty.You should not be dominated by the ever changing fashion and should integrate temporal fashion elements with your own taste.Dressing with your own temperament,personality,style to show off your individuality which is the highest ideal of dressing.

It is easy to say but hard to do.But I can tell you that you can be more beautiful.Trust me,it is true.(Provided by http://www.doitstyle.com Written by Rain Wang)

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