STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

bri · BCBG

New Work Clothes?

Hermes

I would go to TJ maxx or marshall's and dig around. I would look for swing jackets, as well as high waisted skirts and pants. Get things you can mix and match and that go with your wardrobe's current palette so you can update what you have.

Wecome to my world -- good luck climbing the agency ladder smile

subwolley · Kate Spade

Hmm. Maybe take cues as to what people in your office are wearing. What about cute trousers or trouser jeans? Cute sweaters and sweater vests over pretty blouses. Maybe look for unique accessories and shoes that showcase your personality. How about a couple great jackets to pull everything together.

I don't have any specific items in mind, because I don't know what you like fashion-wise. But I would just look for things that express who you are and incorporate them into your work wardrobe, while staying somewhat professional.

Suasoria · Chanel

This is a common phenomenon for young women just entering the workforce.

Congrats on the job. I've worked in PR/advertising agencies for many years and I hire account coordinators several times a year...in fact I was one once!

Here's my tips. Put the bulk of your clothing allowance into office clothes. This means at least 80% of what you spend on clothes is on things you can wear to work. It's where you need to look your best. Try for clean, classic, conservative, neutral and neat...then spice it up creatively with extras.

Even if you don't think you need a suit, you probably do. You won't be an account coordinator forever, and you will probably be going on interviews at other agencies in 2-3 years (if you wait that long!). You can weat the pieces separately as needed.

If suits are not your thing, or feasible yet, then slacks are it. Two pairs of nice dress slacks, say, black and gray, or black and pinstripe. Don't wear jeans except on Fridays. Sure, everyone else does, but you're more ambitious than they are and take your career more seriously. Right?!? When you do wear jeans, make sure they're dark wash and classic in style - not teenybopperish, low rise, and so on. (I'm sure you know this already...)

Topwise, I really really advise a cardigan binge. They are a great alternative to blazers even on client meeting days. They go over about anything, even a sundress, silk cami, or v-neck tee, and make it instantly officeworthy. Since offices so often keep the AC set to arctic, they come in handy year-round.

You can stick to a minimal shoe budget at your stage - kitten-heeled pumps or pointy flats are great for businesswear, and a decent pair of dress boots - but do have some of the "trappings" of a well-dressed woman, accessory-wise. Good classic earrings, a good classic watch, and funky necklaces are one way to go - or classic everything plus funky watches, or classic everything plus funky bracelets, or whatever may seem "you."

I advise a good-sized professional-looking totebag or large structured handbag. It should be big enough to take home a stack of file folders without crunching them.

Hope this helps...do you have more specific needs/desires/preferences?

NCshopper · Hermes

Great advice from the ladies already. I just wanted to add my own two cents in that you can accomplish a lot with accessories. A long strand of pearls that you can double or triple or wear a few different ways, a big "statement-y" bracelet, a few gold bangle bracelets, some scarves, and some belts can go a long way towards jazzing up an outfit.

This sounds like weird advice, but I'd take some style cues from Lauren on The Hills. She wears a lot of simple clothes and the accessorizes very well.

But like the other girls said, get some basics for now, add some accessories, and then as you start to feel more comfortable and make some money, add in some cool prints and other statement pieces.

Also, and this may sound weird, don't drop a lot of money on a really nice handbag right now. Since you don't walk around with it in the office, it's not something people will notice, so you can get away with having a so-so handbag for now.