10 ITEMS UNDER $200 - BUSINESS EDITION

I think I've mentioned before that my work is business casual and since I'm at a manufacturing site, this trends more to the casual side of the spectrum rather than the business.  In the building that houses sales, finance, and company execs, you'll find much more business attire.  With possible upcoming changes, I think I need to frugally update my wardrobe to up my business attire game.  I came up with 10 categories of items that play a huge role in business work attire - including blazers, pants, pencil skirt, sheath dress, button down shirt, lightweight layering sweaters, shoes & tote, statement necklace, watch, and lingerie.

Capsule Business Attire Wardrobe - 10 Item Set by mbcandacejean featuring leather band watches

Here is my Musings on Business Attire inspiration board.  It helps to review it and remember what looks I like to help shape my own selections.



I carefully selected pieces that are made from quality materials such as cotton, wool, silk, and cashmere. In addition to being quality pieces that would get you the best bang for your buck in cost per wear, I picked pieces that had high customer reviews and/or ranked in top ten lists.

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links that may result in a commission for me at no cost to you.  This has no impact on my opinions or style selections.

1. BLAZER & 2. PANTS

After reading a great article on Corporette, I went to the classic mid range stores to find quality blazer and pants.  I personally like the two button blazer, which is reflected in my picks below.  Across the mid range stores - +J.Crew , +Banana Republic , and +Ann Taylor - you can't really find a blazer that's not close to $200.  You can buy the schoolboy blazer from J. Crew Factory, which seems many people are missing based on +J.Crew reviews.

Suit sets by mbcandacejean featuring a wool jacket

// 1 - J. Crew Rhodes Blazer $198 // 2 - J. Crew Martie pants in wool $120 // 3 - J. Crew Factory Schoolboy Blazer - $110 (on sale) // 4 - J. Crew Factory cotton trousers $37.50 (on sale) // 5 - Banana Republic wool blazer $198 // 6 - Banana Republic Logan wool trousers $77 (on sale)

3. PENCIL SKIRT

The Pencil Skirt by mbcandacejean featuring a white skirt

// 1 - Hugo Boss Vilea wool blend skirt $134.98 // 2 - Classiques Entier faux wrap wool skirt $100.80 // 3 - Ann Taylor tropical wool pencil skirt $109 // 4 - Ann Taylor seamed cotton blend pencil skirt $49.99 (extra 30% off) // 5 - The Limited cotton pencil skirt $32.99 (extra 50% off) // 6 - Asos midi pencil skirt in leather $138

4. SHEATH DRESS

I have the Felicity and Coco dress - it is amazing!  I absolutely love the fit and the full length zipper.  It's the only dresss made from completely synthetic materials.

SHEATH DRESS - Under $200 by mbcandacejean featuring an above the knee dress

// 1 - Banana Republic bi-stretch dress $82.50 // 2 - Felicity and Coco seamed pencil Dress $98 (only pick not a cotton or wool blend)  // 3 - J. Crew Resume dress $188 // 4 - French Connection sheath dress $55

5. BUTTON DOWN

Button Down Shirt by mbcandacejean featuring a long-sleeve shirt

// 1 - Ann Taylor perfect shirt $69.50 // 2 - J. Crew Factory oxford shirt in perfect fit - $38.50  // 3 - J. Crew stretch perfect shirt - $69.99 // 4 - Brooks Brothers faux non-iron cotton faux wrap shirt $59  

// 5 - Lauren Ralph Lauren Aaron non-iron shirt $69.99 //

// 6 - LOFT shirred chambray shirt $49.95 (extra 40% off) //

6. LIGHTWEIGHT SWEATERS

+Banana Republic cannot be beat on pricing for silk, cashmere, and merino wool blend sweaters and tops!  Right now they're all 30% off.

Layering Options for Suits by mbcandacejean featuring a v neck pullover sweater

// 1 - Banana Republic silk cashmere pullover $54.50 // 2 - Banana Republic elbow sleeve merino wool sweater $47.50 // 3 - Banana Republic silk cashmere crew cardigan $54.50 // 4 - Banana Republic extra fine merino pointelle vee sweater $47.50

7. SHOES & TOTE

These 4 picks all come from my fav - +T.J.Maxx.

Business Attire Footwear & Hanbags by mbcandacejean featuring tote bags

// 1 - BCGB Paris Three Piece Convertible Tote $29.99 // 2 - Franco Sarto Dayton pump $39.99 // 3 - Nine West textured fabric flat $24.99 // 4 - Nuova Varrialle north south tote $149.99 

8. STATEMENT NECKLACE

Statement Necklaces Under $50 by mbcandacejean featuring j crew jewelry

// 1 - Gorjana Cayne tusk pendant necklace $39 // 2 - Kenneth Jay Lane triple row pearl necklace - $25 // 3 - J. Crew colorful crystal necklace $36 // 4 - J. Crew jeweled enamel pendant $24.99  //

9. WATCH

Classic Timepiece in Pastel by mbcandacejean featuring leather-strap watches

// 1 - Cluse La Boheme leather strap watch $99 // 2 - Anne Klein mirror bezel bracelet watch $56 //

// 3 - DKNY dress case leather strap watch $135  //

// 4 - Kate Spade New York novelty metro watch $195 //

10. LINGERIE

I own the Spanx underwear below - let me tell you - they suck everything in.  Are they almost impossible peeling off your body when you have to pee - yes - but they are totally worth it!  They smooth and tuck everything so if you're wearing a tight fitting dress or skirt, you should throw these on underneath.

Lingerie for Businesswear by mbcandacejean featuring SPANX

// 1 - Wacoal BSmooth bodysuit $55 // 2 - Wacoal adjustable bralette $30 // 3 // 4 - Spanx Thinstincts slip $78 // 5 - Commando up all night sheer thigh high socks // 6 - Spanx sheer pantyhose $15.97 //

All right ladies - this was quite the labor of love, so I hope you enjoy my picks and feel free to offer some suggestions in the comments below!

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