How to Buy Work Clothes for 20 Somethings

If you have a son or daughter who is about to start working in a professional setting, they’re going to need a wardrobe. However, many parents don’t know how to buy work clothes for 20-somethings. With the various styles of professional work clothing, how do you know what to buy?

Start with the Basics
Shop for items that will be the foundation of your wardrobe. For young women, start with 2-3 knee-length dresses that can be worn in any season. Then, build on that with a cardigan, a jacket, 1-2 dress pants, and a few blouses.

For young men, start with 2-3 dress pants and dress shirts that can be mixed and matched together. Plus, a few ties. Then, add one blazer that can dress up any outfit. For casual days, polo shirts paired with dress pants is a great option.

Quantity Over Quality
Look for clothing that is in great shape, but don’t feel like you have to buy designer labels. When you’re in your 20s, you’re just starting out in your career, so having an established designer wardrobe is not realistic. Instead of buying expensive items, spend your money wisely by purchasing gently used clothing that still has a lot of life left.

Don’t Worry About Image
The younger generation is used to building their image on social media, but if clothing is important to them, we advise a shift in focus.

While buying work clothes for 20-somethings is necessary, it’s more important to instill good work ethic and other character traits. Focus on your work, rather than what you’re wearing, and chances are your coworkers will notice. At the end of the day, it’s not the employee with the nicest suit who gets the promotion.  

Shop at Goodwill
Goodwill stores are known for their sizable selections, unique goods, fun finds, and of course our low prices! You never know what you’ll find on a Goodwill run. Shop for work clothes and more at a Goodwill location near you.

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