<p>Hi Parents! I’m a long time lurker on this board and I need some advice for office attire that wasn’t quite related to the other thread that’s going on. A little background: I’m a young 20something woman who is reentering the workforce after an extended period of unemployment. I will be joining a small conservative office (but not suit conservative!) where I will frequently interact with the directors as well as clients (although I will be mostly behind a desk). Since I’ve been out of work for a while, I do not have a lot of money to spend on an initial wardrobe. I am looking for low cost options until I can save up for a proper long term wardrobe. While I’d love to shop at BR and Anne Taylor they’re not in the running yet. Even the Gap has some pretty expensive clothing for my budget. </p>
<p>I already have some slacks and sweater sets, but I’m especially looking for appropriate dresses and skirt/top combos. </p>
<p>Here’s the tricky part, I have a hard body type to dress. I’m quite busty and hippy but not plus sized. It’s a challenge to find dresses that don’t cling to my body, but don’t make me look like I’m wearing a sack! Because of my body type I tend to wear fuller skirt styles but from what I’ve been reading they aren’t as professional as a fitted skirt. Also, I’m used to having to find camisoles to wear under everything. Has anyone here tried the cami secret? The reviews seem mixed but I’m considering it as an option. </p>
<p>Any advice for stores/styles is greatly appreciated. Thank you!</p>
<p>My D is on a tight budget. She did really well last week by hitting the outlet mall. BR, Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft were all having great sales. Sometimes Ross or Nordstrom Rack but they are hit or miss.</p>
<p>There’s an outlet mall about 2 hours away that I’m hoping to make a trip to, but I’m not sure I’ll get a chance before I start my job (in about 2 weeks). I do plan on checking out the local thrift stores but past attempts haven’t been successful. They seem to focus more on stereotypical “old lady clothing” like fur coats, costume jewelry, etc. and furniture. </p>
<p>I agree with Bunsen----thrift stores or even better, a consignment store. Buy a suit at least one size up and then take it into a tailor to have it fitted. Use the same approach at the outlet malls----you might find something that will last you for years.
D is a classical singer and needs high end fancy schmancy. We have bought some real gems at consignment stores. An Oscar De La Renta for 300. (retailed for $6000) and a hand sewn couture Bob Mackie gown $40 (similarly listed on ebay for $2300)</p>
<p>Just a little more advice. Here in Los Angeles, we have D’s name and size listed in the consignment store, along with what she is looking for and how much she is willing to pay. The ladies are great at keeping their eyes open.</p>
<p>I think to really save money you have to shop a good bit, at a low price point it is always going to be hit or miss. For a curvy figure, I like the Calvin Klein, Evan Piccone and Jones New York dresses you sometimes see on sale at Ross, Marshall’s or T. J. Maxx. You will probably like dresses with a defined waist and lots of construction (seaming). A shirtdress style with a built in waist would be nice. Until you know what dresses work for you, try on any possibilities you see. Also always look at what the dress is made of, most of the time it will say dry-clean only, but if it is almost all cotton I just wash in cold water and hang dry. They are making more dresses now and if you keep looking I believe you will find some. I think dresses can be a simple, professional look and can be used more outside of work for church, social occasion etc. than a suit. Also google Miss oops boob tube for a another idea to replace the camisole, they are too pricey for me but I am keeping my eye out for a cheap copy to try out the idea.</p>
<p>Are you near an H&M? If you can sort through the trendy, they often have basics (plain tropical wool slack, etc.) </p>
<p>Also, stores like Ann Taylor Loft have fairly regular promotions where everthing in the store is 40% off. Get yourself on the email list for every store you like so they will send you early notice of sales, coupons, etc.</p>
<p>My D has had good luck at Nordstrom’s Rack, The Limited, and Express. She has some dresses and skirts for work, but also wears slacks and blouses/sweaters sometimes. She also shops for shoes at Nordstrom’s Rack.</p>
<p>One tip she learned the hard way this summer (ignored her mom’s advice…) was to wear some kind of tennis shoe or something for the walk to work (she takes public transit, then walks several blocks). She trashed the heels of her pumps by walking in them, rather than slipping them on when she got to work.</p>
<p>My D has done well at SteinMart, if you have one of them. She had to find stylish clothes that she could wear with a clerical collar, but didn’t want to look like an old lady.</p>
<p>You can shop online and return items at your local store.</p>
<p>And do not spend your money on camisecrets - it sounds like a gimmick to me. A real camisole not only hides what need not be displayed in public, it also provides a “foundation” for your clothes. Cheap camisoles can be found at places like Forever 21 ($5 apiece is what I paid there) - just do not buy any clothes there.</p>
<p>These are wonderful brands, but many of the garments require dry cleaning. If you are on a tight budget, you need to go out of your way to avoid buying anything that requires dry cleaning – it’s like having to pay ransom to get your clothes back after every few wearings.</p>
<p>I just got myself a bunch of slacks, skirts, and shirts on sale at jc penney. They had a ton of professional wear on clearance. I don’t shop anywhere more expensive than that. :P</p>
<p>I agree with JC Penney and they have some amazing sales. Target has alot of Snookie gross junior stuff, but somewhere between that and the maternity clothes they have some career clothes with Merona labels and a couple others. It’s hit or miss, but the prices are right. Prices will plummet on warm weather clothes in a couple weeks after 4th of July everywhere. Old Navy has some “career” type separates buried among their junior Snookie stuff. Also Goodwill if hit regularly can yield some really nice clothes. Even better for guys, mine hit Goodwill regularly and have come home with Brooks Brothers jackets and tons of Ralph Lauren polo shirts, Nautica plaid shirts and the like.</p>
<p>We have had great luck at BR outlets. D2 got a pencil skirt for $20 and matching suit jacket for $25 there. We also regularly shop the clearance room at BR, The Rack and Ann Taylor. Just bought D1 dresses from Macys that were marked down to $24.99 and $19.99. You just have to keep watching the sales/clearance racks. GAP cardigans were marked down to $9.99 today at MOA.</p>
<p>Another great “bargaing bin” place (especially for shoes) is 6PM dot com, the clearance site of Zappos. They sell clothes, too. Shipping is not free, but if you are very sure about your sizes, it is a great place to shop. There are office appropriate clothes on Sierra Trading Post, too.</p>
<p>Wow, so many responses! Thank you for all the suggestions! </p>
<p>I will definitely be checking out TJ Maxx/Marshalls. I find that you need to get there early on a weekday to have the easiest experience. The place turns into a mad house on the weekends and after work!</p>
<p>H&M sounds promising as well. Last time I was there I didn’t see much office appropriate attire, but maybe you have to really hunt for it. I will also check out Lands End, Macy’s and JC Penney. I actually just found an adorable dress on the JC Penney website that’s not too pricy. </p>
<p>Moreover: I love the Miss Oops Boob Tube, but it is quite pricy for a small piece of fabric. I wonder if a regular unpadded cotton bandeau style bra would be as effective? </p>
<p>A big thank you to Marian/Morever! I completely forgot about dry cleaning!</p>
<p>Thank you again! I’m loving all the advice!</p>
<p>do you have a new york and company near you? they are ALWAYS having sales. They just mailed me a coupon for 60 dollars off a 120 dollar purchase.</p>