Career Tips
Insights that come while watching my kids play
Good things come when professional women are given the opportunity and structured support to balance their family and work commitments.
Building a great professional wardrobe is a labour of love, particularly if you’re navigating your way back into the working world. Above all, it takes a bit of time to get comfortable in our professional skin, so to speak, and to transition from your casual everyday mum gear (and this includes your active wear!).
Luckily, I have got this down to an art, and I’m so excited to be sharing my secrets with you here! So here are some must-know tips for building an awesome professional wardrobe.
1. Get Your Power Suit On
Every professional woman must have a power suit. Now, there is no particular uniform here, and what a “power suit” actually means will vary from profession to profession or office to office. No matter who you are or where you work, though, I am a firm believer in the confidence, strength, and power, that come with wearing a power suit to work.
I love Saba for great fitting power suits. I also love the suiting options at H&M
2. Show Some Blazer Love
Much like a suit, no work wardrobe is complete without one or two reliable blazers. Blazers are great, you can work it with everything from your jeans to your favourite skirt to a no-fuss dress. I have so much love for great blazers in our closets because of how nicely they complete an outfit and pull any professional look together. For blazers, I love Jacquie e, Zara, and Marcs
3. Find a Perfect Dress
There’s nothing better than waking up and throwing on one item of clothing, and walking out the door just like that.
At the moment, I love the flattering and exciting designs from Veronica Maine.
4. Land The Perfect Shirt
The perfect shirt is a professional staple. I’m always on the lookout for a great button up that is the right length, fits nicely in the shoulders, and buttons without too much pull or slack in the chest. For button-ups, I love white as it will go with everything in your closet and makes a professional statement in its own right. However if you’re worried about those Vegemite handprints then opt for a darker colour or patterned shirt
My favourite picks for button-ups are silk button up blouses from Marcs.
6. Buy A Few Great Blouses
Our professional wardrobes would not be complete without a few great blouses to compliment everything else we’re building. Professional blouses include anything from beautiful silk shells to cap-sleeved patterned ones.
Also, look for easy care fabrics to save your time and money.
My favourite professional blouses include the selection from Oasis. There’s something for everyone here. Target is also one of my go-tos for beautiful work blouses that can accommodate a new-professional or part-timer budget.
While building a professional wardrobe may feel a bit overwhelming at first, keep this checklist on hand and you will be well on your way to a fabulous professional closet;
About Shannon
Shannon Johnson is a Personal Fashion Stylist and Director of Living for Style. Living for Style is all about easy styling for people without the time to really think about what to wear. With over 10 years experience in fashion, she has the knowledge and know-how to give you the opportunity to feel confident and shine. Shannon is currently based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney and is mum to 2 boys.
-->