Nancy Dilts, a Twin Cities-based wardrobe consultant, said it is important to find basics that suit your personal life and make you feel good. A good rule of thumb is to have a blazer or jacket, dark wash jeans in a style you like, versatile plain T-shirts, a pair of dress shoes and nice sneakers. When deciding how many of each piece you need, think of how many items you bring on vacation, like three to four pairs of pants and five to six shirts, Dilts said.

Shopping for a higher-quality wardrobe that’s new, you can expect to spend between $1,000 and $2,000, Dilts said. Shopping at consignment stores for the same pieces can save you a substantial amount of money — costing between $500 to $600 for quality clothing that lasts longer than fast-fashion brands.

Rachel Hoppe is a University of Minnesota student reporter on assignment for the Minnesota Star Tribune. Her email is rachel.hoppe@startribune.com.