If you’re a fresh grad getting ready to take on your first job or a Gen Z navigating the early days of your career, here’s a hot tip: Part of slaying in the workplace is always looking your best. It’s backed by research, too: 86% of workers and 80% of managers believe that clothing choices affect a person’s chances of getting promoted.
But before you complain about not having the budget for a fresh wardrobe, hear us out: With the right strategies—and an eye for the best deals—you can be an office stylista without emptying the vault. Here are some tips and picks for you!
1. Take your time finding the right pieces.
If you're entering the workforce for the first time, it may be tempting to buy your entire wardrobe in one shopping spree. Don’t! It's okay to take your time and spread out your budget. You may find better pieces as well as better deals.
Make sure you understand the office dress code, too. Is it full-on corporate, creative casual, or somewhere in the middle? You don’t want to splurge on tailored suits only to realize you can go semi-casual on most days!
Check out some of our go-to brands here:
Linen-blend waistcoat and trousers, ₱2,290 each, H&M; Comfort jacket, ₱3,490, Uniqlo; Peak Lapel Single-Breasted Blazer, ₱897.50 (from ₱1,795), Forever 21.
2. Build a capsule wardrobe.
A capsule wardrobe is a small collection of clothes that’s made up of essential pieces that you can easily mix and match throughout the workweek. This may include a little black dress or LBD, a blazer, a white blouse, trousers, a skirt, and leather shoes, a.k.a. classic workwear staples!
For women: (1) Ladies' Longline Long-Sleeve Shirt, ₱1,400 (from ₱1,495), Forever 21. (2) Women's Sleeveless Ribbed Maxi Dress, ₱1,599, Bocu. (3)
Women's Ayee 714-6159 Flexible Heeled Shoes, ₱1,999, Bata.
For men: (1) Slim Fit Cotton Chinos, ₱1,549, H&M. (2) Men’s Textured Stand Up Collar Long Sleeve Shirt, ₱1,099, Bocu. (3) Men's Oren Loafers, ₱999, Milanos at The SM Store.
3.Stay true to your style.
Looking professional doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your personal style. You can still stay true to your “aesthetic”—while following office policies, of course. For starters, it’s more cost-efficient: You can just scour your closet for work-friendly items and just pair them with more profesh pieces. Plus, when you follow your inner fashion compass when shopping for new clothes, then you can even wear your office wardrobe during your days off.
Style tip: If you love color, focus on just one area and keep the rest muted for a sleeker look. And don’t forget the accessories!
For women: (1) Ladies' Satin Wide-Leg Pants, ₱1,495, Forever 21. (2) Ladies’ Plus Size Colorblock Sweater, ₱747.50 (from ₱1,495), Forever 21. (3) Colored Flower Earrings – Yellow, ₱50 (from ₱249.75), Tropiko by Kultura. (4) Women's Shoulder Bag (SKC 20444), ₱290 (from ₱999.75), Secosana at The SM Store.
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For men: (1) Cargo Joggers, ₱1,990, H&M. (2) Sweat Cardigan (Unisex), ₱1,990, Uniqlo. (3) Salvatore Mann Jacques MS912 Sling Bag, ₱249 (from ₱499), The SM Store.
4. Invest in long-lasting pieces.
Got extra cash to spare? One of the best things you can do is invest in high-quality pieces that can last you years instead of going for low-quality items that may have holes in them in about a year or so.
A great first investment is a tailored blazer that you can wear over literally anything to look put-together in a snap. Shoes are always good to splurge on, too—best to go for neutral colors so they’re easy to match!
(1) Black Blazer UWV132016, ₱5,495, and (2) Blazer UWT132007 (black), ₱8,995, both from Urban Revivo. (3) Sperry Men’s Captains Moc Hemp, ₱3,435 (from ₱4,295), The SM Store. (4) Quilted Heel Pointed-Toe Pumps - Black, ₱3,499, Charles & Keith.
5. Be on the lookout for awesome deals.
Who doesn't love a good deal? Keeping an eye out for fashion sales is a surefire way to stick to your budget. For starters, be sure to always check SM Deals and SM Malls Online for shopping offers! Make sure to follow SM Supermalls on Facebook, Instagram, and X, too—there just might be surprise sales you don’t want to miss out on!
Just for this month alone: The SM Store at The SM Megamall will offer a 10% discount for commuters from August 14 to 17 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fashionistas on the go just need to present their transportation card or ticket to avail of the offer, and they can get a discount of up to ₱1,000. Know more here.Check out these great markdowns!
(1) 50% OFF Parisian Women's Zelina Handbag, ₱299 (from ₱599), The SM Store. (2) Easy Soft Men's Brooklyn Slip-on, ₱599 via SM Malls Online. (3) 50% OFF Ladies' Plisse Tie-Waist Shirt Dress, ₱747.50 (from ₱1,495), Forever 21. (4) 20% OFF Dansen Men's Wear Dress Shirt in Blue, now only ₱879.80 to 903.80, The SM Store.
Images from ShopSM and the brands.
Whatever your style and budget, you can find everything for your fashion needs at SM Supermalls. Looking for a specific brand? Easily find what you’re looking for through the SM Directory.
For updates on SM mall hours and the SM mall entry guidelines, click here.
