Spring is here, at last — and just in time, because I’m tired of my winter coat. And my boots. And the snow.

But I digress.

Banana Republic short crinkle trench, $150

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One of the most difficult wardrobe transitions you’ll ever make is the post-kids return to work. It’s a tough shift for a lot of reasons: your body has changed, for one thing, and your budget probably has, too. And for many of us, the return to work is a foray into a much more casual office environment than the one we left before the baby came home. All of this often means that our current everyday clothes are too casual, while our old work attire is too dressy — or just the wrong size and shape. And most of us don’t have the cash to start over with an entirely new wardrobe (and of course, if you’re still working to lose that last bit of baby weight, you may not want to buy a bunch of stuff that — hopefully — won’t fit in a year anyway).

So what should you invest in before you kiss the baby goodbye and head back to the office? Ideally, pieces that will work both with your current closet and on their own, and that can transition from work to weekend without missing a beat. Here are my five essentials for the back-to-work closet.

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For the next few weeks, I’m taking your questions, because the whole point of The Working Closet is to get your closet in shape. This week, we’re revisiting the cardigan — on a budget.

When we talk about budget shopping, there are a few things to keep in mind. Rules, if you will. You’re welcome.

Spend smart. Resist the urge to buy any piece simply because of the price tag; unless you’re going to wear what you buy, you’re wasting your money, no matter how little — or how much — you spend. A bargain is only a good deal if it’s something that will work with your existing wardrobe.

Invest wisely. No matter how much you’re spending — $10 or $100 — the pieces you bring home should work for you; they should fit your body and your life and your style. Be open to investing in one really great piece rather than buying five so-so pieces; if you choose wisely, you will be able to wear that one sweater all the time, with lots of other pieces. And while you don’t have to spend $100 to get a great sweater, but the $10 needs to be as close to perfect as you can get.

Take care of your purchases. Treat that $10 sweater as though it cost ten times that; don’t just toss it in the laundry or on the floor. Make the effort to care for your clothes, and you will see a return on your investment. Hand wash, line dry, dry clean only when necessary.

Ok, lecture over! Let’s talk about where to find a great boyfriend cardi for spring. Here are my favs, all for under $40.

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