New Job, New Clothes

I start my first “adult” job tomorrow, as a law firm associate. How have I prepared? I went shopping. It sounds silly; I know. But given that so much about this new job seems uncertain—What kind of work will I be doing? Will I like it? Will liking the work be enough to sustain me for many long hours?—the only preparatory thing that seemed certainly helpful was to buy work-appropriate clothing and accessories. While I don’t know how I will take to my new job (or how it will take to me), I do know that it will require a new suit, comfortable pumps, a sensible handbag, and many pairs of stockings. So that’s what I bought. Specifically:

A sensible pinstripe pants suit from J. Crew

A black velvet blazer to pair with a black skirt or a pair of black pants I already own to form a make-shift suit (my new employer is business formal!). It’s Ralph Lauren from a consignment store, so I can’t link to it;

Two pairs of sensible Cole Haan pumps, one black, one brown

Two pairs of shoes in which to walk to work:

Riding boots 

Patent leather low-heeled pumps (Link is to the suede version.  I need a little heel to wear with pantsuits so that they don’t drag on the ground)

A black nylon Longchamp bag that can hold a laptop and files when necessary and that is courtroom appropriate

And as mentioned, many pairs of Hanes Silk Reflections stockings.

I am curious; have other professionelles had this experience, where shopping seems to be the only clear way to prepare for a job? And what new-job purchases have you made?