Need Work Clothes Suggestions!

NaomiLyn15

Hi guys, I am not sure if this is the right place to post this, but it seemed like the best fit.

I have successfully lost 50 pounds, yay! But, in doing that I have also lost an entire wardrobe. I have a few items that I have picked up along the journey, but when I say a few, I literally mean a few. I went through my closet this last weekend and got rid of yet another 2 trash bags full of clothes. I have a work function in Vegas in a few weeks, and although whatever happens in Vegas is supposed to stay in Vegas, I don't think they would appreciate me going naked. :laugh:

So, with that being said, can someone make some suggestions on places to get cute work clothes. The key here is "Cute". I have gone to a few places and I feel like the items in the youth section look young and the items in the women's section look old. I don't know if it is the style right now, but everything seems really flowy and baggy. And I don't want to hide all the hard work that I have done. I want clothes that fit. So, any suggestions would be much appreciated. So far I looked a Kohls (I had a gift card from Christmas, that was a complete bust), online at Victorias Secret, Express, The Limited, and Ann Taylor Loft. Any other ideas? I am probably going to try Nordstrom Rack this weekend, and see if there is anything that I like.

Thanks guys!!!

melsinct

For work pants, I really like the Gap's "Perfect Trouser." Look on their website under "premium pants." Ann Taylor is good, J Crew is good, especially if you catch a sale.

I hear you on Kohl's, I have never bought anything there. It seems they target frumps and teenagers, forgetting about us in the middle!

NaomiLyn15

Hmmm, I wonder if everyone is having the same problem. :sad:

NaomiLyn15

For work pants, I really like the Gap's "Perfect Trouser." Look on their website under "premium pants." Ann Taylor is good, J Crew is good, especially if you catch a sale.

I hear you on Kohl's, I have never bought anything there. It seems they target frumps and teenagers, forgetting about us in the middle!

But, I feel like every store I have been to lately is targeting frumpy people. I feel like they must think that everyone is trying to hide bulges or something. It is driving me nuts. I just want nice clothes that fit. Doesn't seem like so much to ask for.

tiptoeketo

I'm having a similar work clothes problem.... I wear Gap Modern Boot dress pants, and plan to pick up two new pairs tonight in a size or two smaller.

Emily_Katherine

Maybe it's a matter of mixing some plain things from the frumpy stores with exciting things from the youthful stores? Or exciting accessories?

That said, I can totally relate. I totally dress like an old lady at work.

christine24t

Sometimes, New York and Company has good stuff. Sometimes they don't. It's hit and miss there.
Also, I know Forever 21 has some nice tops - not sure about pants there - that might work! My sister got the cutest pink blazer from there a few days ago. Work appropriate but stylish too.

JHB2011

I LOVE Target.
I got some very pretty (and cute!) work clothes from there and my boss (who is so snooty, she'd "never" shop at Target) actually commented on them and said how nice they were.
Target seems to be hit or miss, but they always have nice dress pants and dresses there.

nenabug

Ditto on loving Target! I've had the same issues and have found that there are a few stores I can shop at. Eddie Bauer has some really nice fitted wrinkle free dress shirts - stores and online. I also buy khakis from them - they've got a few different styles and I love them. I've found slacks at Dress Barn - only slacks - other stuff is too grandma-ish. I got two pairs of black cuffed slacks that I've had multiple people ask about. Van Heusen, Chico's, White House/Black Market, Old Navy, Christopher and Banks and Coldwater Creek I've found things at. It's hit and miss. One type of store I've had the most success at are consignment stores. You can get higher quality for less money as well.

Women's clothing sucks to find! Hopefully you'll have some good success.

kyylieeeeee

I recommend J. Crew, Gap, New York and Company, Ralph Lauren, and H&M.

H&M is definitely geared towards a younger demographic, but they're a great place to get some cheap wardrobe staples like pencil skirts, dresses, trousers, and blazers. The quality isn't always there, but their selection is huge (and seems to be completely different every time I walk in the store), and if I buy something there then lose more weight, I don't feel guilty about not fitting the clothes anymore. I have a million skirts and blazers from H&M.

J. Crew and Ralph Lauren I love for work trousers and silk tops, because they have some really excellent fits and are usually good quality. I have a wool skirt suit from Ralph Lauren that was expensive, but beautiful, and will last me forever as long as I stay a size 6!

melsinct

But, I feel like every store I have been to lately is targeting frumpy people. I feel like they must think that everyone is trying to hide bulges or something. It is driving me nuts. I just want nice clothes that fit. Doesn't seem like so much to ask for.

Define frumpy. I think high waist with tapered legs when I think of frumpy, kind of like mom jeans. I certainly don't wear that! I wear a size that fits me, accommodates my pear shape (I've got hips and a butt), and I end up wearing some pretty classically shaped work pants. I usually go for straight leg, not too wide or too slim. A pair of well fitting pants in a flattering shape is all you need!

tameko2

A lot of pants styles are straight legged now yes, I think they look nice if you get them fitted right. You're looking for a fitted hip, waist, and upper thigh and then it should start to fall straight down from the upper thigh so it makes a straight line down. If you were getting a lot of extra fabric down there try a smaller size or different cut. The weird thing about stores like the limited is they sell a bunch of different "fit" s so you have to figure out the right one for you or they will hang really wierd but technically the waistband will fit you.

otherwise I second or third Jcrew and actually H&M - H&M has a lot of trendy kids stuff but they also have a lot of basics, basic skirts and slacks and jackets. Just have to kind of dig around.

For the most part if you go a little higher end it will cater to thinner women - demographically that's just how it works out.

oh also Banana Republic is pretty nice these days, they had some bad years but they turned it around.

ALLLLSO -- if you don't like the clothes at one store go to a different mall and try them there. Different buyers and demographics of malls make a HUGE difference in what actually shows up in a lot of stores. This applies more to department stores but can apply to smaller stores too.

busyPK

I love GAP perfect trouser pants. Have a few pairs! I also like NY&CO sometimes, but like another posted said, it's a hit or miss. But mostly I like department stores for tops like Macy's, Dillards, Nordstroms and JCPenneys.

bizco

I get mine at Target and JC Penney.

Hellbent_Heidi

I got like 5 pairs of work dress pants at NY&Company when my old ones became embarrassingly too big (like you, I also lost my entire work wardrobe). Anyway, they were only $9.99 each, so I didn't have to spend a lot (plus, I'm tall and they carry tall, short and regular inseams), so it worked out well. They wash well and still look like new, even though I've been wearing them for months now. I got a lot of sweaters and other tops at inexpensive places like a Gap outlet, Target and Old Navy. I'm still toning and the pants are looking pretty baggy, but I certainly got my moneys worth at those stores....

Now with Spring coming I guess I need to think about more shopping...

NaomiLyn15

Thank you all for your suggestions! Now I just need to get to the mall and look.

annalee_1

Jcpenney has really nice work clothes