Let’s face it. Dressing for work is complicated! Most of don’t work in the black power suit environment, & only the lucky few work in the fabled land of t-shirts & jeans. Most of us have dress codes that say “dressy casual” or other such nonsense – but what exactly does this mean? Khakis,polos, & button-down shirts are all well & good, but it can feel pretty stale & sad very quickly. We’re the generation that’s all about self-expression – so how can we move from Hot Topic shirts & ratty jeans into the work environment?

I personally find it difficult shopping for clothes that are appropriate, yet fun. Based on advertisements & what you see on television, you’d think offices welcomed spaghetti straps, low cut shirts, & short skirts. It’s a little ridiculous how many adorable camis are in my closet that I can’t wear to work.

I have yet to mention the cost factor. Few of us land jobs paying those magical high figures we hear about, & with the economy the way it is… yeah. Shopping for clothes can be all kinds of crazy expensive, & so few of us can afford to shop at “high end” stores. I tend to get a lot of basics, like solid colored stretch tees & camis, at Target or Old Navy – watch for sales. Target puts stuff on clearance on an almost daily basis, so be sure to scout the racks every time you go! The stuff I get at those stores tend to last one or two years, & then when I have to replace them, no harm no foul. I don’t feel like I’ve wasted a lot of money on easily replaceable things. I’ll get a couple higher priced things each season, but I take the advice of many a fashion guru before I buy: if I don’t truly love it or feel comfortable in it, I don’t get it. Having style is much less about what’s “in” than about what you feel incredible wearing. If you don’t feel that way, everyone knows.

Of course, balancing that with office appropriate can be a nightmare. I feel amazing in a cami & a pair of jeans, but I obviously can’t wear that to the library. I never imagined I’d be the person who only owns two pairs of jeans, but the truth is that I honestly don’t need more! I only get to wear them on the weekends & for a few hours each evening. These are the things they ought to prepare you for in college!

But the reality is this: once you’re out of college, the options for Gen Y can be quite limited. I’m certainly not Stacey of What Not to Wear, but these are some ideas I came up with, using mostly items from stores like Buckle, Kohl’s, Target, & Old Navy:

Click through to see prices & origins, although not a single item here is over $50. Most are under $30. Personally, I recommend wearing the camis that you can with sweaters throughout the winter, & then find yourself a fabulous shrug to wear with them when it’s warmer. A versatile, budget saving wardrobe can be worn through the entire year. Accessorize to your heart’s content, & always wear fantastic shoes.

Ta-da! Your baby boomer co-workers in their sweater sets & holiday-themed embroidery will be so jealous of your style that stays within dress code policies.