Professional Clothes

noffgurl · April 2015

Where is a cheaperish place to find professional clothes? Especially keeping in mind I'm on the heavier side. . .

hoffse · April 2015

Banana Republic is about as cheap as I go, though I will buy pants at Kohl's once in awhile. I can usually score tops for under $20 at BR if I land there on a sale day.

It's not usually cheap, but I shop at Brooks Brother's also. A few times a year the clothes from their regular stores go to the outlets at 70-80% off, and I buy as much as I can during those times. I've also managed to score their polos for about $10 each a few times - they're very high quality.

EDIT: My H had the best score at the BR outlet a few weeks ago - he found a pair of wool dress pants for $13. They were originally $110. They fit perfectly, no altering needed.

bmo88 · April 2015

Honestly, I have managed to build my professional wardrobe for a great price at the Goodwill and other thrift stores. I wear Banana Republic, Limited, Express, Ann Taylor Loft, and many other brand names. I typically pay around $5-7 dollars for a pair of pants and skirts, $10 for dresses and $4-$5 for shirts. It's harder to find shirts, so I typically buy off brands at Target, H&M or on clearance at JC Penny.

Thrift stores take a bit more time, but you can build a great looking wardrobe for a lot less money. I just wash the clothes when I get home and I am picky when I am purchasing them.

If you are not open to thrift stores, I would suggest Kohl's, JC Penny and Burlington Coat Factory. If you sign up for coupons, emails and text alerts, and then shop on the clearance racks, you can save a lot of money that way.

formerlyGDaisy09 · April 2015

I can do tops that are going under a jacket from kohl's. cardigans from kohl's are sufficient for a season or two. I tend to do pants, skirts, jackets, and more structured pieces from Banana Republic.

I'd say it really depends on what kind of professional you're looking for. I can get away with nice pants (khakis or trousers) and a cardigan most days, but occasionally I need a nicer collared shirt and suit pants or a skirt. I've also found some good statement pieces at TJMaxx (a colorful top or a dress that could go under a cardigan or jacket).

blondie42107 · April 2015

Consignment shops can be a golden! My coworker has a high-end shopping habit, which she admits. Half of her seasonal wardrobe goes to a consignment shop before the season is over.

I happened to walk into a consignment shop last week and found brand new Lucky jeans for $20 - original tags still on. Went to Macys and found the same exact pair for $100.

I like Gap and New York and Co.

als1982 · April 2015

Agree about consignment shops. I'd suggest places like Clothes Mentor or Plato's Closet which will only accept recent styles that aren't too worn. Also, Target has some really decent basics from dress pants, blouses and cardigans. I also like to shop at Nordstrom, tracking the items I like in their Wish List feature and then buying only once they're deeply discounted.

jessica490 · April 2015

Kohls, Tjmaxx and Marshalls. Affordable stuff!

Mustard76 · April 2015

I buy almost all of my work clothes from New York and Company. They generally have nice sales throughout the year. I don't have to wear a blazer everyday, but I will usually pair slacks and a shirt with a cardigan, and allof my cardigans are from Target.

simplyelise · April 2015

Depends on how professional your wardrobe needs to be. Most of my work obligations require business casual to business. I focus on outfits that grow/recede with me (dresses and skirts) because I have been weight fluctuating with meds recently. I also keep things pretty basic so I can mix and match pairings.

Marshalls, Ross, and TJ Max have been good for me. I usually buy pants from Kohl's or H&M.

noffgurl · April 2015

I am not really sure just how business-y I should get. My current job has no dress code, we wear jeans, t-shirts, we have both been known to wear yoga pants and tank tops (only two of us in the office and its a very relaxed factory). We do get dressy for customer/vendor/owner meetings. With school, I want to get an internship and attend job fairs. My current job is becoming a little unstable so I want to be prepared for interviews for an office somewhere.

hoffse · April 2015

It might just be my profession, but I feel like a suit is required for a professional interview, especially if you will be attending a job fair where many employers will be present and you can't dress for just one.

I interview students for law school admissions to my alma mater, and even though these are usually college kids, we expect them to wear a suit to the interview. If they don't, it gets marked down.

Those who work in more casual professions may disagree.

als1982 · April 2015

hoffse said:
It might just be my profession, but I feel like a suit is required for a professional interview, especially if you will be attending a job fair where many employers will be present and you can't dress for just one.

I interview students for law school admissions to my alma mater, and even though these are usually college kids, we expect them to wear a suit to the interview. If they don't, it gets marked down.

Those who work in more casual professions may disagree.

I agree. I typcially mark against job applicants who don't wear a jacket to interview. Also, I always expect a hand written follow up thank you note!

formerlyGDaisy09 · April 2015

hoffse said:
It might just be my profession, but I feel like a suit is required for a professional interview, especially if you will be attending a job fair where many employers will be present and you can't dress for just one.

I interview students for law school admissions to my alma mater, and even though these are usually college kids, we expect them to wear a suit to the interview. If they don't, it gets marked down.

Those who work in more casual professions may disagree.

agreed. in research I feel like a button down shirt and suit-pants or skirt are acceptable without the blazer....but most the time I'd rather be slightly over dressed than under.

Mustard76 · April 2015

hoffse said:
It might just be my profession, but I feel like a suit is required for a professional interview, especially if you will be attending a job fair where many employers will be present and you can't dress for just one.

I interview students for law school admissions to my alma mater, and even though these are usually college kids, we expect them to wear a suit to the interview. If they don't, it gets marked down.

Those who work in more casual professions may disagree.

I absolutely agree on the interview. I don't wear a blazer day to day, but I've worn a blazer to every interview I've ever done.

Xstatic3333 · April 2015

Mustard76 said:

hoffse said:
It might just be my profession, but I feel like a suit is required for a professional interview, especially if you will be attending a job fair where many employers will be present and you can't dress for just one.

I interview students for law school admissions to my alma mater, and even though these are usually college kids, we expect them to wear a suit to the interview. If they don't, it gets marked down.

Those who work in more casual professions may disagree.

I absolutely agree on the interview. I don't wear a blazer day to day, but I've worn a blazer to every interview I've ever done.

This. I'm in the most casual field out there (environmental science). Not everyone wears a suit to interviews, but I always do and I'm a huge believer in it.

simplyelise · April 2015

I've worn a blazer or suit to every interview, but recently (partly because I don't fit in my college pantsuit any more lol) at job interviews I've done a professional black and white dress with my black blazer, pantyhose, closed toe modest heels, and simple makeup.

But depending on your field, you may only need a couple of these outfits. I work as an executive assistant at a quasi-governmental utility commission and I usually wear khakis or black pants with dress shirts or work-logo polos. Or I wear professional dresses with sweaters. In my region, that's a pretty typical office dress code.

I probably wouldn't invest in multiple suits until you know what your dress code will be. DH was very worried that his new state job would require him to get a bunch of new dress shirts (he has two decent suits we got him recently). He wore suit and tie on day 1 then realized most people weren't even wearing ties.

Summary: have a good interview outfit or two, maybe be on the lookout for some dress pants/shirts. Wait on any big shopping spree until you've got a better idea of what you'll need.

MommyLiberty5013 · April 2015

Also, just keep in mind that professional wear may need to be tailored (hemmed, let out, taken in, etc..). It's pretty normal for most people to need a few adjustments in professional wear.

Professional skirts should be at or slightly below the knee and when you try them on, sit down in them to be sure they don't ride up too high on your thigh.

You said in your OP that you're on the heavier side. If you are also petite (under 5'4"), you may want to try the petites sections in the department stores; I know Macy's has one.

And, also to help clothing lay smoothly you may wish to try shape wear. You can buy it just about anywhere, but I know Target has a few brands that aren't Spanx that still work wonders and are not as $$$. Same for panty-hose.

Maggie1202 · April 2015

I love New York and Co. The clothes are not the very highest quality but they last awhile and they have a lot of great sales. Several times a year they have all their pants at buy one get one free! Love that sale!

I also get texts from them about once a month with an offer code to take $100 off a $200 or more purchase!

I wear dress pants and a nice top, cardigan, etc to work. Sometimes a blazer, never a suit.

hoffse · April 2015

Agreed, you really just need one or two good outfits for interviews, and then you can adjust your wardrobe based on the culture of your office.

I had two suits in law school - one for the initial interview and a nicer (Brooks Bros) one for call backs. I've since replaced them, but actually... I still only have two suits. The corporate folks in my office are pretty casual by law firm standards, and we really only suit up when we're meeting with clients or opposing counsel. Most days slacks, dresses, professional skirts, etc. are very acceptable for us, and even the old guard tends to dress down on days when they aren't meeting anybody. H, on the other hand, often has last-minute court appearances, and he is therefore expected to wear a suit every day (except Fridays when slacks and a blazer are acceptable). So he owns 8 suits and wears each suit every other week in a rotation.

It really just depends on your field and the culture of your specific office.

For now, I would focus on building a good interview outfit (or two) and then worry about building out your professional wardrobe at a later date.

Erikan73 · April 2015

Believe it or not, Old Navy has some nice options. Depending on what size you need, check online. Also I'm a huge online shopper because of the easy option to shop clearance items. You can find great items at Ann Taylor or The Loft, or Banana Republic online in their clearance section, especially if you sign up for their emails and get discount codes for additional percentage off already marked down items.

kmurphy2131 · April 2015

I agree with the general consensus of only get 1-2 interview outfits then build from there. I work in a field where there is a wide range of dress code depending on what type of setting you work in. I wear nice dress pants, shirts and a blazer or nice cardigan but others in my same field same style of work wear yoga pants and (nicer) tshirts. So you don't want to end up with a bunch of stuff that doesn't fit your setting.

I actually just bought a blazer for $25 at target last week, and they had a bunch of nice blouses as well which I got for like $19. I would check them out. The loft is great but a little more expensive (a lot more if not on sale).

short+sassy · April 2015

Burlington Coat Factory is my go-to place for affordable professional clothes. They have a huge selection, even in plus sizes. Most suits are $30-$50. I also highly recommend getting two very professional outfits, ie suit, for interview purposes. I also fall in the camp that a suit should always be worn for an interview. You can never go wrong that way and accidentally dress too casual.

But, once you have a job, you can take your cue from how others dress. While I've rarely had jobs I could wear jeans too...I've also only had on job where I needed to wear suits every day. Most office environments are business casual...nice tops and pants/skirts...but not necessarily suits.

dragonstarjk · April 2015

Honestly, I get most of my work clothes from JC Penney, Kohls, and/or Macys. Macy's has some brands that are 'Everyday Value' brands. My favorite dress slacks are an Everyday Value brand and they are only $27.98.

Every other year or so I do a splurge trip while on vacation and buy a few things from Banana Republic, White House Black Market, or Ann Taylor, but for everyday use those places are out of my budget. (Actually, I could budget for them, but I don't want to divert the money from vacations and home improvements).

blondie42107 · April 2015

Maybe make a list of items you want/need. I keep a Pinterest board with ideas but set a realistic list. I shop sales often. Black Friday I went to JCPenney and snagged Worthington trousers for $12.50/pair (regularly $40). I got 4 or 5 that day. Last weekend I stopped in New York and Co outlet and got 3 shirts and a jacket for $35. I try to limit super trendy items so that clothes last longer.

I'm not a huge fan of blazers but I love cardigans! So lots of those.

Wulfgar · April 2015

If you are interviewing for a white collar position than some form of suit or suitable equivalent is a must when interviewing. Even our co-ops have to wear suits to an interview and most colleges will tell you that this is a must. That is the case even if they will be mainly working with equipment and wearing a uniform.

MissChanandlerBong · April 2015

I get a lot of cute tops/shells at NY&Co. I also get a bunch of cardigans from Old Navy, and I can mix and match the tops and cardigans and have a lot of variety. I do buy work pants mostly from Express because I feel they fit well and last a long time.

Depending on the industry you're in, I do feel that you need to dress for the job you want, not the job you have. That means higher quality, well-fitting pieces. I think you can mix in some trendy, inexpensive pieces with the "staples" and have a great work wardrobe, you just have to be really conscientious in your shopping and look for the deals. NEVER pay full price.

sugarygoodness · April 2015

I am curious what others believe the best interview suit color to be? Navy? Black? Dark grey?

MommyLiberty5013 · April 2015

sugarygoodness said:
I am curious what others believe the best interview suit color to be? Navy? Black? Dark grey?

I think it depends entirely on the person. I'm not sure if there's a best color. But, I do think that based on body type, there is definitely a best cut for each body shape.

CrazeRIRunner · April 2015

I agree with TJmaxx, Marshalls, Consignment shops, Sears is not a bad place either - they do have sales sometimes. My office is more relaxed and jeans are allowed.

hoffse · April 2015

sugarygoodness said:
I am curious what others believe the best interview suit color to be? Navy? Black? Dark grey?

Any of those are fine.

I personally prefer navy or grey because lint just seems to pop on black suits. Whatever you choose, keep a lint brush handy. It's probably overkill, but I keep one in my bathroom at home, one in my car, and one in my office. I buy them in bulk at Costco...

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