<p>LasMa …</p>
<p>Long pants. Lands End offers hemmed to length, Coldwater Creek, Talbots, JJill all have long or tall sizing, along with Eddie Bauer and some LLBean. LongElegantLegs.com has pants with a 36 inch inseam – you’ll be hemming those!</p>
<p>Even if I COULD spend $200 for a blouse, I wouldn’t.</p>
<p>I enjoy the selection at Kohl’s and the usual % off coupons I collect.
I don’t think the quality is necessarily the BEST but certainly adequate. The styles range from too young to frumpy and I can always find myself somewhere in that range!</p>
<p>CCsiteObsessed – yes, you are not alone in not being able to wear the straight cut pants in many stores. I’m the same way and I’ve found that the best pants to fit my body shape are the “Julie” cut at Ann Taylor Loft and the “Curvy” fit at Ann Taylor. ATL has a much wider range of pants that they offer in this cut than AT, but at least I finally have options! I haven’t found any pants cuts that fit me well at Talbots or Banana Republic.</p>
<p>This is why I always think it is necessary on CC to state your budget or means when you are talking purchasing things. Obviously, we have a wide range of affordability here. :)</p>
<p>One persons $200 for a blouse = another person’s budget for the season. Seriously.</p>
<p>I don’t want to use the word “investment” for some of those buys, but I only add few a year now, I still have blouses from 10+ years ago, and they still look great. I wear those clothes for work because they do expect a certain look, but at home it is sweats for me. OP said she is starting a business which has client contact. Depending on what kind of client they are, she may need to dress to impress a bit. Hence my recommendation of buying few nice pieces, instead of going for quantity.</p>
<p>I’m not begruding anyone who chooses to purchase the “$200 blouse”. :)</p>
<p>Just saying that (as I have experienced myself in the past) it is SO important for the OP to explain A BIT about what they would like to spend to beef up the wardrobe. </p>
<p>I agree that a few quality pieces are for me better than quantity, but in my world, I can still dress professionally and meet with business people, doctors, etc. in my much less expensive clothing.</p>
<p>
OP here…
Yes, you’re right…I never did set a budget here, probably because I never really set a budget for most things in my life (yes, sad but true) and I’m not very good at it. I 've not really had to until now, because I’ve been fortunate to have had a very good income and manageable expenses plus being hard-wired as a frugal shopper; I rarely if ever buy something at full price and am not a big spender by nature. But now we are paying 2 hefty tuitions and I’m putting $ into a business that hasn’t gotten much of a return on it yet. So…have had to think more about where and how to spend money. if I had to pick a dollar amount that I want to spend right now - to start with a few basics - I’d say around $700? I almost said $1,000 but I don’t think I want to spend that much right now.<br>
And one other thing - I do have several pairs of black pants that work, so that’s one purchase that I don’t need. Can I do much with $700, give or take?</p>
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<p>Same here. I could but I don’t. Though I do think for items you tend to wear over and over it might make sense. I’m not a slacks, blouse, blazer type of person, that look isn’t very flattering on me and I don’t find it very comfortable but if I found an awesome black cardigan (I tend to wear those a lot over slacks or dresses instead of blazers) I would consider spending that kind of money. My biggest reason for not spending big bucks on clothes is when I buy something I never really know if it’s going to turn into one of my ‘go-to’ items until I’ve had it for a while. Clothes not only have to look flattering on me but more importantly, if they are not comfortable, I won’t wear them often. I’ve never been one to suffer for the sake of fashion.</p>
<p>In addition, I have found that expensive doesn’t always mean it will last any longer than less expensive items. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t. Have bought many items at Kohls or Penney’s or even Target that have held up beautifully and have bought very expensive items at Ann Taylor or Talbots that didn’t.</p>
<p>If you have a couple of pairs of slacks already…wear a pair and go shopping. Look for things that will look comfortable with your slacks and also see that YOUR slacks are sort of similar to the current classic styles. For $700, you will be able to get the basics, I think…but you won’t fill your closet which I don’t think should be your goal. I agree…get some things that are comfortable and look nice and FIT WELL. Fit is very important. Also, look at the care tags so you will KNOW how your new clothes need to be cleaned. I personally like to have things I can wash/dry myself…dry cleaning is not on my radar screen except for a couple of items that must have this. Also…what good will a nice blouse do you if you don’t have the time or inclnation to make sure it’s not wrinkled. Either get things you can launder and press, or have a plan for sending those things out to have this done. Nothing is more annoying to me than seeing a person in a very wrinkled garment.</p>
<p>I don´t think most people are aware of this, but you could actually wash silk and press, instead of getting dry cleaned.</p>
<p>But get a Rowenta iron if you plan to do your own pressing. In my opinion…any other iron is a waste of money ($100 or so of your budget).</p>
<p>Any advice on steamers?</p>
<p>@thumper-couldn’t agree more. Just was thinking about how well my Rowenta has served me. They are frequently on sale, also.</p>
<p>OP- I think that for $700, with black pants in place, you can do quite well for yourself. I agree that wearing the pants you want to keep to the stores will create great efficiency. Try on like crazy until you have a feel for your new shape and style preferences. Don’t be afraid to ask for opinions (discarding the ones that seem completely wrong to you, but being open to new ideas). Sometimes even in discount stores, the sales person giving you your dressing room ticket is there due to an interest in fashion (you can usually tell by how they put themselves together). Places like Talbots would be eager to help you find the basics (go during a sale or to an outlet). I agree that their options are good as there are several different cuts for different body types (usually described on the tags). Even if it is not sale time, you can select your line up and wait on some things. Narrowing color palettes will create efficiency in purchasing, while allowing for accessories and additions later.</p>
<p>Other sources for inspiration are fashion blogs. Some address tons of specific options for different needs, body types, ages and occasions. It is a real tool. Just bought a new wardrobe piece and tried styling suggestions from a blog. It was so helpful that I could cut the tags off, knowing I had several ways to wear it. Most practical. It isn’t just having the right pieces, but knowing how to assemble them. Check it out. Hope the search is fun!</p>
<p>A lot of dry clean only items can be safely washed by hand or using the handwash cycle. I wash all of my cashmere sweaters and dresses, wool slacks, silk blouses, etc. The main trick is to never put these items in the dryer.</p>
<p>What thumper said about irons is so true: a Rowenta iron will make ironing a breeze.</p>
<p>Thumper, my two-year-old Rowenta iron just started leaking water. It is my second Rowenta, and I only bought another because it has such a good reputation. It also does not get really hot, so I have to look for another brand. Any ideas?</p>
<p>I appreciate that budgets vary widely, and when I post a photo it is for illustrative purposes only - to convey the “look;” not to suggest that anyone purchase the actual item. If one wants to dress well, it is a good idea to know what the best looks like - both in terms of quality and styling, then go hunt for less expensive substitutes, especially on sale. You would be astounded at what really astute shoppers can find on sale.</p>
<p>However, there is nothing like the best. I have clothing from top designers that I’ve worn for years and years. The fit and the quality of the fabric is far superior to cheaper clothing. I agree with Oldfort that I would rather have less quantity and more quality.</p>
<p>Just to give everyone a point of reference, a $200 blouse is only moderately expensive. Here’s an example of a blouse by Akris - a lovely line of clothing made in Switzerland - a true luxury brand:</p>
<p>[Akris</a> Punto - Dot-Print Blouse - Bergdorf Goodman](<a href=“http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod68610030&parentId=cat261704&masterId=cat364409&index=4&cmCat=cat000000cat000002cat000009cat364409cat261704&isEditorial=false]Akris”>http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod68610030&parentId=cat261704&masterId=cat364409&index=4&cmCat=cat000000cat000002cat000009cat364409cat261704&isEditorial=false)</p>
<p>Accessories like scarves could give you a different looks with the same blouse.</p>
<p>wnp, look up Jiffy steamers. They are expensive, but that’s what sales people swear by. I saw a Jiffy in action at a local Banana Republic and was very impressed how well it worked. I do not have a need for one yet, but if I were to get one, I’d get a Jiffy.</p>
<p>If $200 is moderately expensive, then $695 is sheer lunacy.</p>
<p>More power to anyone who can afford this. It’s just completely out of the frame of reference of most of my world.</p>
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<p>Same thing happened to my Rowenta. I’m on my third one. They work really well for a period of time and then they start leaking. My first two were in the middle-price range for Rowenta. Went for the top-of-the-line Rowenta last time and after three years, it’s started to leak too. I have good water (we have a well and have a reverse osmosis system for purifying the water–so the water is like spring water). I keep the iron clean–still have the leaking problem. I’m ready for another brand and would love it if anyone has suggestions.</p>
<p>Oh, noooo… I guess they do not make them like they used to! I’m keeping fingers crossed that my 10 yr old Rowenta will keep going for a few more years. Bummer.</p>
<p>[Best</a> Irons - Ironing - Good Housekeeping](<a href=“http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-testing/reviews-tests/appliances-electronics/best-irons-0409]Best”>8 Best Steam Irons of 2023, Tested and Reviewed by Experts)</p>
<p>^^Unfortunately, long-term reliability can not be reflected in the reviews of new products.</p>
<p>I just found that Costco sells the Jiffy steamer -yay, it is on the way to my house:</p>
<p>[Costco</a> - Jiffy® J-2000 Garment Steamer](<a href=“http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10030824&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|90608|28071&N=4047457&Mo=12&No=7&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=28071&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=]Costco”>http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10030824&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|90608|28071&N=4047457&Mo=12&No=7&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=28071&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=)</p>