My husband and I are both working professionals with dual careers. I work in a business casual environment and had a baby last year, and none of my pre-pregnancy clothing fits my new body. We have a debt emergency, which we are paying down aggressively. I have purchased next to nothing since the baby came. I now have 1 pair of slacks, 1 skirt, a few shirts that I rotate, and a couple of maternity shirts I still wear out of necessity but which don't fit properly (our baby is almost 1). That's it.
This morning I had an interview to become a board member for a local Young Professionals group. I was flat-out embarrassed sitting next to these manicured, sharply dressed professionals. How on earth would they ever take me seriously? My hair is shaggy and graying because I don't get it cut/colored often enough, my nails are unpainted because I my polish is old and goopy, my jewelry is cheap, my shirt is a faded pilling maternity top that doesn't fit well, my shoes are cheap and too casual, and my pants are nice but too tight. I am an accomplished professional but you would never know it based on how I present. First impressions matter.
I have resolved to purchase some new clothing for fall because I'm working on a career change and I simply have to be ready to present more professionally in case I get interviews, have opportunities to network, etc. This was a wake-up call for me. I haven't attempted clothing purchases since we adopted a version of the MMM lifestyle and I don't know how to handle it. Tips? Tricks?
Would appreciate hearing from professionals who manage a frugal lifestyle but still dress appropriately for their career culture. I'm not a big fan of spending money on budget items that don't wear for more than a season, I would rather spend more on fewer items that last. I'm open to thrifting (everything except footwear), if I can find high quality items. Tailoring thrifted items maybe? TIA!