Dressing like a powerful lawyer is difficult without the income of a powerful lawyer. But there are ways to dress well on a budget.
Before we get into some tips, I want to make clear that I’m not talking about fast fashion and Shein hauls, which generally consist of low-quality, trendy pieces that you won’t be able to wear for long, even if you are able to find a professional outfit.
I’m talking about finding high-quality pieces in a sustainable and low-cost way.
- Do some research on your ideal wardrobe. Take some time to figure out your style and find what brands you want in your starting lineup. For me, that’s Banana Republic, Theory, and The Fold London for a splurge. Also think strategically about the pieces you want and how they’ll work together. Think about the colors that make you feel most powerful.
- Buy second-hand. Once you know what you’re looking for, try finding specific items on websites like ThredUp, Ebay, and Poshmark. Thrifting in store and at garage and estate sales is time consuming and not particularly fruitful these days, according to this New York Times article. But with online second-hand websites, you can search, and many of them will also recommend something similar to what you search (which can be both invasive and helpful).
- Search for the items you want on a discount website. Sites like Nordstrom Rack and Saks Off 5th are a wealth of high-end items at more reasonable prices.
- Find a discount store near you that you can check out in person. TJ Maxx and Marshalls can be a goldmine for high-quality pieces at discount prices. The tradeoff is that you’ll only find the really good stuff in store (they have websites, but they generally don’t include all of their inventory, especially the really great items).
- Learn when your favorite stores hold annual sales, and budget ahead of time. Once you know the brands that serve as the basis for your powerful style, learn about their sale patterns. Make a list of the items you want to add to your collection, and save up ahead of time to be able to purchase in bulk.
- Rent special occasion items. I rented my Law Prom dress from Rent the Runway. They sent me multiple styles and sizes, and I just sent them all back when I was done. You can also rent a few very nice suits for a mock trial event, although professional items are typically hard to find on Rent the Runway. Although there is some concern with how sustainable renting clothing actually is, this is still a great way to have the perfect, high-end piece that you want to enjoy once or twice but won’t wear repeatedly.
- Stick with what you know. Whether looking on a discount site or second-hand, you can often find newer versions of the same pieces that you know you love. Instead of giving up on an item, I will also look for a different size, if my body has changed. You can even look for different colors of the same dresses and blazers that you know you love, to mix things up while also staying with items that make you feel powerful.