u/SimplePrudent5735

I (33/F) am trying to drastically strip down my wardrobe, and one of the issues I want to address is the divide between athletic wear and work wear.

I really want to streamline my mornings and minimize my decisions. Ideally, I want to do a morning yoga flow or a brisk commute walk, and then head straight into my corporate job without needing to pack or change into a completely separate set of clothes.

The problem is, most activewear (even the "lifestyle" lines) still looks way too sporty, and standard business casual is way too stiff to be active in. Im specifically looking for pieces that stretch and breathe like workout gear but have a clean, structured drape that passes in a professional setting. I have one Athleta wrap sweater and a matte finish brami from OGL that both somehow manage to work for both scenarios, but thats just a tip of the iceberg really. I need a wardrobe overhaul of around 6-7 reliable pieces, especially bottoms. Ideally, I want high quality staples that will last a long time so I dont just end up buying and purging again and keep repeating the same loop.

Thanks in advance!

I (33/F) am trying to drastically strip down my wardrobe, and one of the issue that I want to address is the divide between athletic wear and work wear.

I really want to streamline my mornings and minimize my decisions. Ideally, I want to do a morning yoga flow or a brisk commute walk, and then head straight into my corporate job without needing to pack or change into a completely separate set of clothes.

The problem is, most activewear (even the "lifestyle" lines) still looks way too sporty, and standard business casual is way too stiff to be active in. I am specifically looking for pieces that stretch and breathe like workout gear but have a clean, structured drape that passes in a professional setting. I have one Athleta wrap sweater and a matte-finish brami from OGL that both somehow manage to work for both scenarios, but that’s just a tip of the iceberg really. I need a wardrobe overhaul of around 6-7 reliable pieces, especially bottoms. Ideally, I want high-quality staples that will last a long time so I don’t just end up buying and purging again and keep repeating the same loop again.

Thanks in advance!

Should it be equipment upgrades, automation, or outsourcing? Also what actually gave you the best ROI in terms of cost savings or growth?

I have always tried to keep my wardrobe minimal, with only items that I need, thinking that I was being a “minimalist”. I thought I was being efficient by grabbing those cheap 5-packs of basic tees from Amazon or ASOS and other fast fashion brands, which I end up having to buy again in a few months because their shape is impossible to keep. 

They were so thin that they’d lose their shape after several washes with saggy neckline/ collar, which makes me look somewhat unprofessional at work.

This is a cycle that i realized I must stop. I tried MUJI first, I love their aesthetic, especially their minimalist approach to design using all natural fabric. Their cotton shirts look so good on their website. Boxy fit, but I still love them. 

Uniqlo is another good choice actually. So I have a few of their tops as just my go to. Product wise, they are great. I also wanted to look into something a bit more environmentally friendly.

Picked up 3 bio-cotton tops from some OGL basics recently. The fabric is a bit heavier and has that "sandwashed" density, keeps its shape for the whole day. Been through the wash a bunch of times, holding up pretty well so far.

I'm starting to think that maybe three shirts that actually last can help me drastically reduce my consumption  than cycling through cheap ones and wasting them after a few use? But I'm honestly not sure if I'm just rationalizing spending more upfront.

I have always tried to keep my wardrobe minimal, with only items that I need. I thought I was being efficient by grabbing those cheap 5-packs of basic tees from Amazon or ASOS (I know, fast fashion), which I end up having to buy again in a few months because their shape is impossible to keep. 

They were so thin that they’d lose their shape after several washes with saggy neckline/ collar, which makes me look somewhat unprofessional at work.

This is a cycle that i realized I must stop. I tried MUJI first, I love their aesthetic, especially their minimalist approach to design using all natural fabric. Their cotton shirts look so good on their website. But I think it is a bit of a challenge to wear because the fit is super boxy for my taste, and I figured that i would need to have head to toe muji garment to look that good on their images.

Uniqlo is another good choice actually. So I have a few of their tops as just my go to. Product wise, they are great. I also wanted to look into something a bit more environmentally friendly (might as well go all the way right?)

Recently picked up 3 bio-cotton tops from OGL. The fabric is a bit heavier and has that "sandwashed" density, keeps its shape until end of day. I have washed them many times, no weird permanent wrinkle or marks so far. 

I'm starting to think that maybe three shirts that actually last might be closer to minimalism than cycling through cheap ones? But I'm honestly not sure if I'm just rationalizing spending more upfront.

I’ve been slowly auditing my wardrobe lately, and I’ve realized I want to phase out traditional bras entirely, especially after COVID. To me, I always thought that I needed the "structure" of an underwire to look professional, but the discomfort after wearing it all day has become very taxing. I am 5’6” and a 36B, which I think is pretty ordinary. 

I have been consistently looking for alternatives that still looks professional to find the right balance between comfort and looking put together. Most comfortable integrated support tops I found were thin, flimsy camis and shiny, like the tops from Lululemon for example. They are comfortable for sure, but it looks like i just came from a gym if i wore it to work.I specifically wanted something with enough weight to look like a "real" top but look professional on the outside. 

That search is what led me to buy some wood-pulp viscose pieces. I was curious if a matte, sandwashed texture could make it look office appropriate. 

This integrated support is a bit more comfy and it feels very soft and smooth, and the wood-pulp fabric has this matte finish that looks a bit more higher end (though it is half the price of lulu’s). It is quite presentable for work and comfortable. This discovery is a win so far.

I’m curious if anyone else has a similar struggle with their professional wear. How are you all balancing comfort and looking put together for work?