Where to shop for professional clothes in your 30s?

walnut
walnut Posts: 216 Member
edited September 18 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm starting a new career soon and am in need of a new wardrobe. This is exciting too because I like my new size! But I'm having the hardest time figuring out where to get cute, kinda trendy, AFFORDABLE, professional clothes that are late 20's & 30's age appropriate, and do not size as follows: "size 3 = small, size 5 = medium, size 7 = large", and that's it. Size 7 as LARGE???!!! :noway: Even if I can fit into any of those clothes, I don't feel like spending my money someplace that considers a size 7 a large. Any ideas???
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Replies

  • walnut
    walnut Posts: 216 Member
    I'm starting a new career soon and am in need of a new wardrobe. This is exciting too because I like my new size! But I'm having the hardest time figuring out where to get cute, kinda trendy, AFFORDABLE, professional clothes that are late 20's & 30's age appropriate, and do not size as follows: "size 3 = small, size 5 = medium, size 7 = large", and that's it. Size 7 as LARGE???!!! :noway: Even if I can fit into any of those clothes, I don't feel like spending my money someplace that considers a size 7 a large. Any ideas???
  • Sherona
    Sherona Posts: 55 Member
    Maybe NY & Co.
  • ali106
    ali106 Posts: 3,754 Member
    well I love to search for bargains....do you have a tjmaxx or marshalls, I got some really really nice skirts all under 25 bucks each...and well made, good brands....Jones of NY etc..they also have some really pretty professional :wink: tops and jackets if you need those....my office is casual professional, no jeans, or sneakers or flip flops....our floor has the president of the company on it so we all have to dress it up a bit more...

    Macy's has some cute stuff too...what kind of outfits/cloths were you looking for...I make a great personal shopper LOL

    oh and believe it or not Target also has some cute summer professional stuff too....depends on what you like...I'm pretty trendy though LOL...:wink:
    hugs!
    ali
  • KrisKabob
    KrisKabob Posts: 1,250 Member
    Yeah, NY & Co... I also like Limited but I try to catch their sales cause they can sometimes be expensive depending on what you consider expensive though.

    Good luck with your new job! Fun! :flowerforyou:
  • FatDancer
    FatDancer Posts: 812 Member
    Congrats on the new job!

    I like "Victoria's Secret at Work": www2.victoriassecret.com
  • MFS27
    MFS27 Posts: 549 Member
    Ok, Old Navy does have a section of "professional but fun" clothes - and I LOVE the fact that their dress clothes are NOT dry-clean-only - which you will find is mostly the case with the $$ clothes. I also love the fact that their sizes are pretty accurate (or generous, lol).

    I would, however, invest in a couple of quality, "all-around" trousers, cardigans - at least one - since you will wear these often and want them to hold up over time. I love Ann Taylor Loft (notice there is a difference between Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft - the Loft is cheaper, a little more toned down, but still good quality.)

    I want to go shopping now, lol!!
  • ali106
    ali106 Posts: 3,754 Member
    Ann Taylor the Loft has some nice stuff too more affordable than my favorite store in the whole world LOL...but alas makes me wait for clearance LOL....
  • ali106
    ali106 Posts: 3,754 Member
    Ok, Old Navy does have a section of "professional but fun" clothes - and I LOVE the fact that their dress clothes are NOT dry-clean-only - which you will find is mostly the case with the $$ clothes. I also love the fact that their sizes are pretty accurate (or generous, lol).

    I would, however, invest in a couple of quality, "all-around" trousers, cardigans - at least one - since you will wear these often and want them to hold up over time. I love Ann Taylor Loft (notice there is a difference between Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft - the Loft is cheaper, a little more toned down, but still good quality.)

    I want to go shopping now, lol!!
    ]

    I'll meet you at the loft! lol great minds LOL
    hugs!
  • Fab140
    Fab140 Posts: 1,976 Member
    I have found some of the most durable, timeless pieces for a decent price at JCPenny. Their Marilyn cut trousers are insanely flattering (they are part of the Worthington line or somethign like that.....). They also offer a ton of sales and inseams...sizes....one down side is their online store. Very Blah!!! For shoes, I would hit the sales racks at Macy's.

    :flowerforyou: Congrats on the job!!
  • wriglucy
    wriglucy Posts: 1,064 Member
    I agree with NY and Company, also...I used to like Forever 21, but haven't been there in a LONG time, so I can't say if they are still good or not. But, if you happen to pass by one... :)
    Congrats on the job!
  • MFS27
    MFS27 Posts: 549 Member
    Ok, Old Navy does have a section of "professional but fun" clothes - and I LOVE the fact that their dress clothes are NOT dry-clean-only - which you will find is mostly the case with the $$ clothes. I also love the fact that their sizes are pretty accurate (or generous, lol).

    I would, however, invest in a couple of quality, "all-around" trousers, cardigans - at least one - since you will wear these often and want them to hold up over time. I love Ann Taylor Loft (notice there is a difference between Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft - the Loft is cheaper, a little more toned down, but still good quality.)

    I want to go shopping now, lol!!
    ]

    I'll meet you at the loft! lol great minds LOL
    hugs!

    I'm there!!! *grabs keys and purse*
  • Shannon023
    Shannon023 Posts: 14,529 Member
    They're pricy, but Coldwater Creek has really cute clothes. Their webpage has a clearance section too. :wink:
  • runawaybride
    runawaybride Posts: 400 Member
    LOOOOVVE Maurices.....it has clothes in larger sizes now and they are trendy!!!! :heart: :heart:
  • shkaki
    shkaki Posts: 234 Member
    i agree with anne taylor loft, i've bought quite a few really nice clothes there on sale!!! good luck!
  • nopogal
    nopogal Posts: 162
    LOFT--YES! Wait for sales on off-season. Sometimes they are just barely out of season.

    I like Nordstrom Rack sometimes, Target is pretty good, Old Navy isn't bad, but their clothes tend to stretch pretty badly, pants shrink up quite a bit, and darker colors fade quickly. It's cheap, but you get what you pay for.

    Sometimes even Goodwill or a store like that will have professional clothing...you just have to look a little harder.

    Good luck!
  • pmkelly409
    pmkelly409 Posts: 1,646 Member
    Congrats on the new job!!!! :drinker:

    These are all really good suggestions. Macy's has a line called INC that is very trendy. I love the JC Penney's Worthington Pants that were mentioned below, they have a cut made for every size and shape. NY & co. cannot be beat...TJ Maxx and Marshalls - can't go wrong!

    What department stores do you have in your area?
  • age1389
    age1389 Posts: 1,160 Member
    Also Kohls has some nice clothes and there's always a sale going on. NY and CO is always a yes. I also saw some nice clothes in dress barn awhile back.

    Good luck and congrats:drinker:

    -Adrienne:heart:
  • walnut
    walnut Posts: 216 Member
    well I love to search for bargains....do you have a tjmaxx or marshalls, I got some really really nice skirts all under 25 bucks each...and well made, good brands....Jones of NY etc..they also have some really pretty professional :wink: tops and jackets if you need those....my office is casual professional, no jeans, or sneakers or flip flops....our floor has the president of the company on it so we all have to dress it up a bit more...

    Macy's has some cute stuff too...what kind of outfits/cloths were you looking for...I make a great personal shopper LOL

    oh and believe it or not Target also has some cute summer professional stuff too....depends on what you like...I'm pretty trendy though LOL...:wink:
    hugs!
    ali

    Oooh, I love Marhsall's & TJ Maxx!! If only they didn't require so much digging... *sigh* But, I suppose that's why it's so gratifying to find something there! Yeah, and Target... I swear, 50% of my clothes are from there, haha.
  • Fab140
    Fab140 Posts: 1,976 Member

    Sometimes even Goodwill or a store like that will have professional clothing...you just have to look a little harder.


    Just be sure to check the seams and buttons! You can really find quality pieces there, you just need to make 100% effort to make sure they haven't been put through the wringer.
  • walnut
    walnut Posts: 216 Member
    So I'm seeing lots of suggestions for Ann Taylor Loft... I better check that one out. I think my main problem is that I don't enjoy shopping. It's always a conundrum because I like cute clothes but I hate having to shop for them! I'm always wondering why I don't like the clothes I have and then I get to a store and find out nobody designs clothes for ladies who need to both minimize the boobage and accentuate the rear while maintaining the illusion of a waist. I'm kind of shaped like a jellybean, if that makes any sense...:indifferent::laugh:
  • kandiedkisses18
    kandiedkisses18 Posts: 11
    Kohls has really great sales most of the time.
  • pmkelly409
    pmkelly409 Posts: 1,646 Member
    minimize the boobage and accentuate the rear while maintaining the illusion of a waist. I'm kind of shaped like a jellybean, if that makes any sense...:indifferent::laugh:

    We wouldn't know - all we can see is your eye!!! :laugh:
  • amylynne26
    amylynne26 Posts: 195 Member
    If you have a Burlington Coat Factory in your area it's worth a looksee.... can be hit or miss but when you hit you hit BIG.... designer suits for less than $50 I just picked up a pencil skirt and 3 tops for $50. You have to dig around but they are there!!
  • astridfeline
    astridfeline Posts: 1,200 Member
    I also had good luck at JCPenney.

    Right now I'm hooked on Eddie Bauer because they have tall size blouses that are very good quality, and a bit pricey so you have to wait for the sales. Eddie Bauer also has slacks & blazers, but I have not bought any of those.
  • Fab140
    Fab140 Posts: 1,976 Member
    So I'm seeing lots of suggestions for Ann Taylor Loft... I better check that one out. I think my main problem is that I don't enjoy shopping. It's always a conundrum because I like cute clothes but I hate having to shop for them! I'm always wondering why I don't like the clothes I have and then I get to a store and find out nobody designs clothes for ladies who need to both minimize the boobage and accentuate the rear while maintaining the illusion of a waist. I'm kind of shaped like a jellybean, if that makes any sense...:indifferent::laugh:

    Watch What Not to Wear on TLC if you get a chance! They have great suggestions for shopping for your body type.
  • mommyskis
    mommyskis Posts: 277 Member
    Spend as much as you can afford for the basic pieces. Clothes from Ann Taylor Loft, Talbots, Eddie Bauer, etc. will last much longer than things you buy from Target or Old Navy; those places are great for trendy pieces you might only wear a year or two. Also if you go to the stores and figure out what size you are there, you can then shop online. I also agree you can get great deals at JC Penney's and Macy's on the sale racks. Shop for summer clothes in a month or 2 when it all ends up on clearance. I try to buy clothes as they are leaving the season. You save lots of money.
  • amylebo
    amylebo Posts: 23
    You may want to try Steve and Barry's. They have all sizes and carry some really cute pants, tops, and some shoes. I just took the liberty of looking for a store in MN and they have a few. I don't know if they will be close enough to you or not. Right now, the store here is having an everything is 8.98 sale. If you have a chance you can type Steve and Barry's into google. It says university sportswear, but they carry Sarah Jessica Parker's new clothes line. Really cute stuff for cheap. I love shopping there. Just an idea for you.
  • artschoolgirl
    artschoolgirl Posts: 598 Member
    H&M!!!! I would say that's my favorite! I would say it's very reasonable & good quality!
    Good Luck! :smile:
  • izzyandobo
    izzyandobo Posts: 41
    When I worked at an investment firm I got almost all of my clothes at Ann Taylor's Loft and Banana Republic. Ann Taylor's has great pieces that are very professional and then you can mix it up with a cool pair of trousers or shirt from Banana Republic. Their stuff fits great and it lasts a long time.
  • Starlightdusk
    Starlightdusk Posts: 106 Member
    well I work at Eddie Bauer so I am not unbiased but we have great work clothes and they are all really good quality. If you live near one you should check it out. we have a big sale coming up.
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