As  corporate sisters, we all heard the proverbial piece of advice “Dress for the position you want, not the position you have!”. And as ambitious, motivated and committed corporate sisters, most of us try to heed the advice, and as part of our professional path, to “dress the part”. However, one question that is rarely asked yet is very much reflective of the reality we all go through, is this: ” How do I dress for the position I want on the salary I earn?” We’ve all seen that CEO, managing director, or Director’s fashion choices, and for many of these, especially in more traditionally conservative professions such as law, banking and finance, these choices are not exactly….on the frugal side! From designer sheath dresses, to top-of-the-line power suits, the examples of what it means to dress for the positions we covet tend to extend beyond our actual paychecks, and this for obvious reasons… As corporate sisters on the way up, we make less money, need to save more money, and also may have more financial commitments, from young children to student loan payments, than the lady boss in the corner office…So how do we reconcile this tried-and-true piece of advice, with the reality of our inflation-beaten, recession-tried, at times spread thin paychecks? Even if you can’t just sport the managing director’s Birkin bag, there are ways to dress for the position you want on the salary you earn:

NY& Company Madison Shirt – Now $10 on sale!

Invest in Classics! Tailored white button-down shirts, a couple of high-quality sheath dresses, a statement coat, a blazer, a couple of dressy cardigans and tailored pants, one or two well-cut skirts in

quality fabrics, one power suit, and sturdy yet classic black or brown pumps, is really all you need as a foundation for your professional wardrobe. Whether you choose to acquire these over time, or make a one-time investment in these, this is where the bulk of your wardrobe fund should go! And to extend the life of these pieces, be sure to pick them in high-quality fabrics, with classic cuts and shapes, and if necessary, have them tailored for the best fit!

Faux Pearl Stud Earrings – $16.95 – Thelimited.com

Skimp on the Accessories! As you will notice, accessories are more a matter of trends than anything else. So unless you are investing in authentic jewelry, you can spend less money on these, at least as you build your wardrobe. Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other accessories should be kept to a classy minimum, so as not disrupt your entire appearance and professional demeanor, especially in meetings situations. They should be used to complement your appearance, and should not deter from the general appearance you want to convey. And if in doubt, as Coco Chanel puts it so well, “before you go out, remove one accessory”…and voila!

Take Care of What You Have! High-quality fabrics and garments are to be preserved so they can last a long time, and keep looking even better with time. So pay attention to the care label, and do not skimp on the instructions to save a few bucks! In the long-run, that dry-cleaning bill you’ve tried to avoid may cost you less than having to invest in a brand-new suit for that last minute interview!

Pay attention to Sales! Last but not least, this is where your natural frugal instincts should come into play! Scour the deals, coupons and sales for high-end stores to score the best deals on items that you ordinarily could not afford (without going hungry that is!) After-Christmas deals (please read our articles on great fashion sales this time of year, and also what to shop for after Christmas), end of season sales, and semi-annual sales are all great times to buy low and rack up on incredible deals without breaking the bank!

Are you dressing for the position you want on the salary you earn?

The Corporate Sister