As the economy struggles to stabilize near the end of 2009, many apparel retailers are facing some four to six consecutive quarters of slumping sales. Strict budgeting forced many to curb spending on non-essential items, which severely cut into repertoire purchases. This consumer culling led to stripped-down shopping in most markets, but the apparel industry faced a landscape where “replacement purchases” became the new normal and wardrobe expansion would have to be delayed.

Morning talk shows quickly devoted segments to the instruction of how to turn a “fashionista” into a practical “frugalista” by creating the essential list of what the industry considered “must have” wardrobe staples. The suggested items were all quite sensible, classic and easily worn at the office, which should have made acquisition a cinch. If women suspended purchases even for the workplace; what would bring them back to the stores?

Mintel explores how women view their work wardrobe and how they shop for professional vs. social attire. This report also details the type of footwear and accessories women currently wear as part of their working attire and how they describe their style preferences. Other key findings of Women’s Attitudes Towards Work Attire include:

How important brands are when shopping for clothes

Whether women separate work attire from social attire

Which retailers they choose for work clothes and where they shop for their “other” clothes

Self-described style preferences

Spending habits for particular types of clothing; when to bargain hunt and when to go upscale

Whether they like their work clothes enough to wear for social occasions

What the dress code is at their workplace: strict business, business casual, casual or uniform

What kind of footwear they choose to wear to work

Which accessories they usually include in their work ensemble