I love a good sale as much as anyone and probably 1/4 of my items were sale purchases. I also love online shopping.

My cheapest handbag is a $398 leather juicy couture bag. My most expensive is a $5k python fendi.

I own, probably, 25 or 30 dresses ranging from $65 to $800 (most clustered around 100-250).

Since I’ve moved to a cool climate I’ve spent, probably. . .$7k on warm clothes (including a long cashmere coat, a couple of loro piano items, but no fur).

Shoes and boots probably average out in the $twohundreds.

I’m in my early twenties.

Sorry, going on a rant there.
Thanks again!
(btw, i’m in NJ. But i have an aunt in Canada; she works with carcinogens, so has the special gear.)
And my mom isn’t the best person to get an idea of professional dress from, considering she wears t-shirts to work! Guys wear ties, girls were anything they want at her workplace… ??? (I have no idea why either). (She’s a computer programmer/analyst/developer, whatever the title is nowadays, so that could be why.)

As to the original post, and keeping in line with what has already been suggested either directly or indirectly, you will want to spend within your budget of course, and that you are starting to collect pieces early allows you to do so at your convenience, well on your way to having a proper professional wardrobe before you actually need it, which is a very good thing. Elsewhere on this blog you can read about sales, depots and other relevant information so as to scout out the sales and end-of-lines which will no doubt be of great interest to you, along with other tidbits of very excellent and useful information (which I wish I had known when I was first starting out, and especially back then when on an articling student’s salary, which in the first year of legal practice keeping in mind in Canada where I practice we also must purchase our “court dress” consisting of barrister’s robes and waist coat, court-striped trousers, patent leather shoes, legal tabs and wing collar shirts — in both summer and winter weight wool, and before we are even called to the bar — on the other hand, it makes the practice rather easy so far as one knows what they are going to wear when seeking an audience before the court, but add to this the need to wear semi-formal business suits, etc. when not at court, well, a blog and advice on how and wear to shop etc. would have come in most handy back then, indeed!). That said, my spouse would argue that dressing for the medical/pharma field is no less intimidating when first starting out, realizing that he could not forever attend to live in his scrubs, and that is because we, as professionals, regardless of our chosen profession or calling, well understand that in doing so we’re taking on a professional “brand”. That you understand this early on in the game is outstanding, and once again bodes well for you and all others who no doubt are reading this blog (go forth and conquer, ladies!); indeed, understanding that people’s perceptions of us are affected by our clothes, such that our clothes in turn must represent the image that we as a “brand” (meaning, our products and/or services) are trying to convey is half the battle, and once realized it’s not intimidating any longer (so many young women today who may not have had the good fortune to have had a professional mother to “groom” us from birth as so many young men in our society do and often take for granted, I agree) .

In the case of law, for e.g., the “image” is rather a traditional one, meant to convey knowledge and authority and reason why most lawyers stick to well fitted suits (be they skirt suits or pant suits) and dark colors, and reason why I personally spend much time, effort and money making my clothing reflect my goals and personality. (In keeping with the OP’s question, I am at that stage in my career where I personally wear Armani black label, for I enjoy the well tailored “power suit” with Hugo Boss long-sleeved shirts and blouses, and I find they suit my trim, athletic frame perfectly, with outerwear by Burberry and Christ, and my shoes/boots for the most part are handmade in England (yes, I spend a lot on quality clothing, then, these are timeless pieces in classic colours (namely, black, charcoal and gray, tan/beige and navy), which I “freshen up” with coloured shirts and blouses, so as to keep the “look” updated – which for me at least I find is best and easy to do, thus reflecting my “brand” as a lawyer but at the same time my “personality” and style — in terms of the cost, as a senior lawyer, I can well afford it and enjoy quality for its own sake but also see it as an advertising expense so far as my clothes are (it bears repeating) reflect not only upon me but also how my firm is perceived in the eyes of my clients and the public.

Of course, when one is first starting out, no one expects you to wear top drawer brands, nor would it be reasonable for them to do so, but that is not to say that you can’t achieve that look or even find exceptional deals on designer clothing on a budget (even a student’s budget), because you can, and what this wonderful blog will indeed help you with (indeed, this blog is quite wonderful really, and must say I am enjoying it immensely).

Before heading off on your shopping spree, however, you must first (in my opinion) understand for you what it is that you wish to convey — in other words, your “brand” which depends in large part on what it is you are doing and what it is you wish to convey.

In the case of the medical/pharma profession, I should think that, like a lawyer, you will want to appear knowledgeable but, unlike a lawyer, you will also want to convey an image of being helpful and approachable, and this I believe is readily achieved by choosing your colours appropriately.
I would think neutrals (beige/tan, navy, etc.) give off this impression best, though by no means should this be taken by you (or anyone else in your chosen field) as a suggestion in any way to avoid the darker, more conservative/authoritative colours — if you are confident and feel great in darker colours such as black (which isn’t dangerous) or charcoal/gray (which connotes safety and tradition), then by all means run with it as what is most important of course is that you own it and wear it “well” (and only you know what that means; that goes for skirts vs. trousers as well, for above all else (it bears repeating) you are dressing to convey a professional “can do”/”I know” image, and this image will hardly be perceived by your client/patient/etc. if you are uncomfortable in your outfit no matter how splendid said outfit looks on the rack and/or its price tag.

This, in addition to the standard “rule” re: women professionals in general, be we lawyers and judges, investment bankers and/or corporate leaders, media/communications consultants to doctors and/or pharmacists, politicians or business magers in general, which is oft repeated here (and also told to daughters by their professional mothers, or should be) and simply: be neat in appearance, avoid revealing clothing (i.e., don’t show off too much arm, cleavage or the mid-riff so no tanks or halter-tops, etc.), as well as shorts, jeans and athletic shoes, with the latter caveat adjusted for your own particular field (i.e., in the case of the medical/pharma profession, slacks and khakis along with rubber sole shoes / trainers are very appropriate, and far more appropriate than leather soled boots or heeled shoes, and especially with all that running around from patient to dispensary etc. you’ll be doing). Otherwise, the whole gambit pretty much is open to you as your profession as you say calls for business casual, aka casual smart (namely, dresses, dress suits be they skirt suits or slacks, only instead of the suit jacket/blazer, you can of course don that trusty white coat as my spouse does – oh, have fun! ;)

As to how all of this cashes out, at this stage in your career, I’d be inclined to splurge on one nice suit jacket/blazer, with matching trousers and a skirt so as to have two suits in one, aim for a good quality pair of shoes also, and build from there. Of course, this is just my 2-cents, being based on my own experience when first starting out, keeping in mind also the differences of the “brand” as b/w the legal and medical/pharma profession, and what in turn is the image we as professionals are trying to convey in turn. As to fitting this and more into your budget (which I do appreciate), not to worry: depending on where you reside, there are readers here who would be very happy I am sure to direct you to outlets/factory stores etc. where you can pick up great bargains on designer clothes, where you can also have the benefit of trying them on for “fit” to see how they wear before you buy (note: if in the Greater Toronto Area or environs, for e.g., you might try Vaughan Mills, serving southern Ontario and upstate NY etc. where for e.g. Holt Renfrew’s national clearance and outlet center is located, among other great outlets and factory stores). Hope this helps, and best of luck to you in your studies and career! ~ DW

I need to start to dress up now, to get used it it. I only have a few months to go!
That, and once I graduate I’ll join you gals, more or less (but obviously, with the out-of-school drains on funds).

There’s something to be said, as you progress in your career, for dressing with predictable quality. I started in BigLaw for a half dozen years then switched to a corporate position. Nearly every day you’ll see me in a St. John tweed jacket (but nearly always bought on sale), silk blouse or turtleneck, nice slacks, and some pearls and gold chains or an interesting scarf. On casual Fridays, I tend to wear a twin set (usually Land End cashmere) and trouser jeans (Tahari makes good ones). My jewelry is understated, and always real (gold, pearls, etc.). I have a few really good handbags (Dior, Carlos Falchi), and then some perfectly nice bags for travel (Furla, Michael Kors). I don’t go to court, so formal suits are necessary.

I realized awhile ago that although I enjoy fashion and love looking at the new collections and fashion magazines (and really enjoy Corporette), I’m also the “face” of my company. A reassuring corporate image is classic and assumes reasonable quality. I think cultivating this style has been very helpful in moving up the ladder as time goes by. It can be helpful for your superiors in the company to feel that you’ll always look dignified and appropriate for the context.