Women--where do you buy your work clothes/suits?

If I start working extra hours, I'm thinking of upgrading my wardrobe a bit. I've been not buying clothes because I didn't want to buy new ones once I slimmed down to a size 6 ( :silly: plus, I didn't have the dough).

I was thinking Ann Taylor, but wow. $200 bucks for a jacket?? I'm not the pres. of the company, LOL.

So where do you guys go? Do you go to just the department stores, or should I just ebay it?

I like their selection a lot.

years ago...d'oh! Could have gotten the employee discount :silly: .

Thanks for the suggestion, I wonder if there's a Dress Barn in this area...

Depending on your area, you'll likely find some high quality clothes that someone has "outgrown" without trashing.

as far as casual stuff and shirts, but the jacket/pants seem to be rare. It's good to know others do that though. When I first started I kind of felt weird about it....

Do not try Ebay-you'll end up buying a lot of crap you'll never wear or that doesn't fit right. Second hand and consignment shops are the way to go without spending a fortune.

I can always find good work stuff there. Also, though this might sound stupid, I've even bought two suits at Target!

It was a fantastic white skirt from Isaac Mizrahi. I loved it...and got a huge stain on it. :(

Marshall's is an idea... I get my kid's clothes there...I've seen the suits sitting there, but wasn't sure.

We have a retail outlet close by but their online and catalog are terrific too. I shop their sales and clearance all the time. The quality of their clothing can't be beat and I think a good value for the money. They do have pricey stuff but if you shop the sales and clearance areas...I think you can do well.

Ross is very hit or miss, but there are designer brands there for about a third of the price.

Mostly, I shop at outlet stores, especially during sales. You have to put in a lot more effort, but there are good deals there too.

Also, I have friends that work at the mall and I take advantage of their 60% discount. That saves a lot of money. Another reason to always be nice to the cashiers. :)

I love their overstocks - really great deals on good clothing.

Because I'm full-figured (=fat), I also shop Lane Bryant and Roamans -all online.

In the stores, I go to Shopko (local).

No, really. You'd be surprised what people will donate.

I also will buy from Penny's and from Hecht's from time to time. Also, if I find something that works. I buy 2 or 3 of the same in different colors.

Being short I have to find places that have a good Petites selection.

They have good sales on the women's suits. People have complimented me on my clothes and they're shocked that it came from Penneys!

Since you're a size 6, I would check out the juniors department at stores like Macys. My favorite suits are my XOXO suits from the junior's department. If you're getting juniors suits for work I would stick to the slack since the skirts are so short!

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Sign up for the e-mail list and you can get great offers.

Great clothes right from your PC and they often have free shipping offers.

The prices are really competitive.

They have a lot of good basic stuff. I also go to Ann Taylor but only for stuff on sale.

And also their sister store, Petite Sophisticate.

You can get some great deals on the sale stuff in back.

FSC

You can find some great deals on classic styles. Then I add small details (scarves, jewerly, belts, etc) that I pick up at different places to update the look.

:crazy:

sux don't it

If you can hit them on truck day you can get the stuff that has never been worn, with the original tag on it. Cheap way to get name brand clothes.

You will get great deals. Around Columbus Day, you can get fall stuff on sale. The key is to just hold out for the sale. As a size 6, it is easier to find clothes in your size, and things just fit better.

Good luck!

BTW - Ann Taylor is great for the "interview" suit. Just need one because they never go out of style.

They have a line of matching seperates. Works out well if you are a different size on top and bottom. I usually get one or two bottoms for each jacket. When they have their super sale plus coupons they work out to be less than $50 per suit. Thus, far they have held up to dry cleaning pretty well.

Marshall's, TJ Maxx and Ross are good if you like name brand stuff. I find them to be more miss than hit here, but your area may be different.

It is less expensive than Ann Taylor and I like the clothes better. Casual Corner should be great for your new size 6 body! I loved Casual Corner when I was thinner. Talbots is great but expensive. They do have good sales though.

I can usually find a lot of cute skirts & dresses there.

Congrats on the slimming down. I did it recently, too. From a SIXTEEN to a six here. I've kept off for about 7 months now. Feels great!!

:toast:

J.C. Penny's, Sears, Kohl's, Younkers. I bought stuff on sale. For example, I paid $70 for a suit that was over twice that amount regularly.
I wear a uniform at work now though so I have no need for that stuff except for interviews. For most job interviews now, I wear dress pants and a blouse. In my field, it is better to not look too feminine or elitist.
I don't buy anything that needs to fit well without trying it on first so I wouldn't order it off the web or catalogue.

Wow! You must be a mid-westerner. West Des Moines, IA here!

The price you looked at is the original price. It'll be marked down. Just keep watching. I have several nice Ann Taylor outfits that I bought marked down.
Jones New York has some good professional attire, too. Some outlet malls have a Jones New York store -- see if any of the outlet malls near you have it.

boy its nice to work a job where I can dress like a complete slob. I did have to buy a suit recently, though (thanks to my sister getting married)

and shops at two resales shops and finds great stuff.

And I used to be able to get stellar suits at the Safe Place store, but they quit having a store. Both of those places were where the rich women who couldn't be seen two years in the same outfits would off load their stuff.

You have to scour the racks but you can get designer clothes at great prices. I brought a pair of $90 Liz Claiborne dress pants there last week for $29! I walked into my local department store and the same pair were there, full-priced. I'm a demon when it comes to scouring the racks at my local department stores too to find mark-downs, etc. Stick to basic colors like black and gray with your jackets and skirts/pants and you can rotate in color via blouses, sweaters, etc.

Mervyns sales, Target--don't laugh.

Target's styles have changed a lot, and a piece paired with a more expensive item--looks great, feels great, etc. No one will know--unless they shop there too! LOL!

Loehmans' designer labels at affordable prices. It's like Marshall's.

And of course, Marshall's too!

I used to also frequent Salvation Army--occasionally there was a great piece for a ridiculously low price.

Happy Shopping!

:hi:

At reasonable prices no less

There is one in my neighborhood so I don't have to drive all the way to the mall, something I avoid as much as possible. It can be pricey, but because it's close by I can just pop in anytime to see what's on sale. If you have a Dillard's or some other store that carries it, check out the "Lauren" line from R. Lauren. Not as pricey as the regular RL stuff. I've got shirts from Lauren, Talbot's and Ann Taylor Loft that I've had for years, all washable and still look great. I have never had to dress up for work on a daily basis, just "business casual." Have only 2 suits and they're both Ann Taylor. $200 does sound like a lot for a jacket, but you may be able to find something on sale. And if it's a classic, good quality piece of clothing that you'll have for a decade... But, I forget, Bush*Co is going to have us in survival gear before then. :eyes:

My wife buy all her clothes there and she dresses, if not to the nines, then at leat to the eights.....

:rofl: Your sig line. That's a good one !

I'm a longtime Dillard's, Nordstrom, Macy's shopper, but I have seen a change in JC's. They have some great stuff these days that is indistinguishable from the higher end lines.

Check it out...you'll be surprised.