Building a Career Capsule Wardrobe

One of the daunting tasks of going in for an interview or for your first day at a corporate job can be finding the right outfit. The company may want you to wear business casual, but what is too casual? Or, when dressing business professional, you look in your closet and feel everything isn’t professional enough. It may be hard to find a balance, but when you take the time to build a career capsule wardrobe this part of the job world may come a little bit easier.

Business Casual:

The best way to think of business casual is a mix of everyday wear and professional pieces. Such as bringing a little more modesty to casual pieces. Because there is no solid definition for what business causal is, some companies may interpret it in different ways. However, by having a few of the pieces below in your closet it may be a little easier to style your outfit.

Wide Leg Trouser: Abercrombie

Silk Midi Skirt: Zara

Maxi Dress: Madewell

Blue Puff Sleeve Top: Abercrombie

White T-shirt: Zara

Chunky Loafers: Steve Madden

White Heeled Sandal: DSW

White Sneakers: Steve Madd

Business Professional:

Business professional can be described as a more formal dress code that is found more in traditional workplace settings. When given this dress code, it is better to always over dress than under dress. Companies that follow business professional may be stricter about what you wear when walking into work. The guide below shows the best staple business professional pieces to have in your closet.

Sheath Dress: Calvin Klein

Pencil Skirt: Aritzia

Blouse: Express

Tailored trousers: Abercrombie

Blazer: Abercrombie

Ballet Flats: Tory Burch

Close Toed Heels: Vince Camuto

Mule Shoe: DSW

Overall, some of the best places I found to shop for your career capsule wardrobe are Abercrombie & Fitch, Zara, and Aritzia. There is also a lot of inspiration all over the internet for business dress codes. Don’t forget to search through Pinterest or even videos on TikTok or Instagram Reels.