Clothing

dizzycooks

DH and I went shopping today because my wardrobe needs a SERIOUS makeover.  IF, pregnancy and nursing has led to me not purchasing much of anything for several years.  I succeeded in finding NOTHING because it all seems too expensive, too trendy or shows too much skin.  He's frustrated I found nothing and shot down his ideas (leggings, patterned shorts) and I honestly feel less attractive than I have in months.  Where do you find your clothes?

caladpi02

Jcrew, Neiman Marcus, Nordstroms. I would rather have less stuff of better quality. I think a lot of mass retailers have very low quality items so I would rather pay for one perfect black cashmere cardigan than have three crap ones.

kellyrn9956

I need to do a wardrobe overhaul too before I go back to work next month. I used to find soooo much at New York and Company but their styles have gone downhill the past few seasons. I love Banana Republic, but I live near a BR outlet, so it makes it more affordable. Same with Ann Taylor and J. Crew. If you have access to outlet shopping, it's the way to go to get quality clothes at (somewhat) discounted prices. 

mben1119

Jc penney, kohls, and gap outlet. I like van heusen outlet for their dresses.

financialdiva

Check out JCPenny's. I just bought a ton of stuff from them right before I went back to work with DS2 since nothing from before fit and I refused to go back in only maternity clothes.

I got four dress slacks, 6 tops and a necklace for around 160.

katiewhompus

Kohl's for me. There is a lot that is super low-cut, but there are also some very flattering clothes there and there are always sales. (For example, yesterday they had basic-but-flattering Daisy Fuentes T's for $7.99)

TheyCalledHerKate

I like J.Crew, Zara, Nordstrom, GAP and Banana Republic. They have tons of stuff that doesn't show too much skin. In regards to price, yes, some J.Crew stuff especially can be on the pricier side, but those are the pieces that are the most classic/that I wear the longest/that I like the longest so for me it's worth the investment for a great dress shirt, pencil skirt or blouse.

jasminelorraine20

I would check out Marshalls and TJ Maxx if there is one in your area. They have quality brands for a lower price then the actual retail store, like NY and Co. for instance.

thedash

I hate shorts but I love leggings with a tunic top. I get a lot of ideas for outfits by looking at catalogs and then buy discount or knock off versions of trendy pieces. For suits and classic pieces I'll wear for several seasons I just spend the money at J. Crew, Banana Republic, or similar. Express is a mid priced option with a good mix of trendy and classic items.

lily_721

caladpi02:

Jcrew, Neiman Marcus, Nordstroms. I would rather have less stuff of better quality. I think a lot of mass retailers have very low quality items so I would rather pay for one perfect black cashmere cardigan than have three crap ones.

I agree! I have significantly fewer clothes than many of my friends but my clothes last forever! 

BeckyTheEngineer

Make a clothes budget, then go shop with that in mind. Last summer I bought a whole work wardrobe for a new job, and I was glad that I bought nice stuff, at outlets like Loft mostly and some banana republic pants. I am usually a horrible cheapskate but knowing that I had a certain amount of money to work with helped me to spend the money so I have clothes I like that are appropriate for my job.

thedash

Mos3:

I have struggled for months to find clothes that fit me. nbsp;I just got a big girl job my old job that I spent 8 years at was super laid back for clothing, so I really needed to find stuff. nbsp;I actually went today and got 4 outfits from The Limited and a few tops from Ann Taylor Loft. nbsp;I spent way more than I wanted to, but at least I have a start. nbsp;I'm really picky about how pants fit, and I really liked the Drew fit and perfect stretch ones from Limited. nbsp;I'm also pretty traditional in my style, so I got a pair of navy, grey and black pants, and then added a fun pair of kelly green capris! nbsp;I"m trying tonbsp;experimentnbsp;more with color! nbsp;Good luck! nbsp;

I forgot about Loft! I really like most of the clothes there. Regular prices are not cheap but the sale rack can have some bargains.

dizzycooks

I'm cheap.  That's my biggest problem.  We have the money, but even then I don't have the willingness to spend it. I need to get over that.

Here are some things I liked today.  My job is pretty casual.  I try to keep a handful of more formal things for conferences and open house night, but overall these things work for work and home.  I want to be able to use them pretty interchangeably.

https://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=82424&vid=1&pid=352242012

https://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=460274

Is this boring? 

JLS0320

I love Ann Taylor loft recently, they have cute clothes and some great sales. Right now the store is 40% off. I also shop at limited, gap, target and kohls on the regular

JessAnnJ

Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, and Banana Republic. Banana Republic has a really great wrap dress that seems to get good reviews from women with all different body types. That was one of my going back to work purchases that made me feel much better about myself. With all of these stores wait until they are having a sale before you buy. It's seems like there is always a take 30 or 40 percent off deal going on.

Netty_3

Nordstroms, Nordstrom Rack, Macy's, Banana Republic, Neiman Marcus Last Call, andTJ Maxx or Marshalls...

sweetsunnyc

Loft is always a good choice- Khols, TJ Maxx- Do you have any high end consignment shops around you? I find a lot of great things at consignment and they are always high end brands- jcrew, BR, gap, anthropologie- Plus you can take in your old things and get credit.

KathrynMD

Going shopping w/ my husband would not be helpful for me. Sometimes you just need to get started IMO. I like Kohl's and Penny's, if I was a little thinner I'd probably like Banana Republic too. I agree with the spend more, less often but get higher quality philosophy too, but sometimes you just need to rip the bandaid off and get started. I agree w/ PP - set a budget for yourself and decide generally what you need - 2 pairs of work pants, 2 dresses, 1 skirt, 1 casual outfit, etc. and then go shopping and just try on ANYTHING that vaguely appeals to you. Once you start it won't be so daunting.

thedash

dizzykates:

I'm cheap.  That's my biggest problem.  We have the money, but even then I don't have the willingness to spend it. I need to get over that.

Here are some things I liked today.  My job is pretty casual.  I try to keep a handful of more formal things for conferences and open house night, but overall these things work for work and home.  I want to be able to use them pretty interchangeably.

https://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=82424&vid=1&pid=352242012

https://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=460274

Is this boring? 

 

 

No, not boring. But they are more casual than I was thinking you needed. I also would not pay $75 for a maxi dress so that's not you being cheap!

If you need basic t-shirts and casual dresses I would personally go with Target and TJ Maxx rather than some of the name brands we've mentioned. The Target website has great deals if you select "sale" and with the Redcard you get free shipping with no minimum purchase. Build up your basics from those places and then you can add in a really cute jacket, dress, etc from a nicer place when you see a sale or your budget allows.

After I had DS it took me more than 6 months to get back to my old clothes. When I did I realized they were all old and worn out and not in style anymore. This blog really helped me get some ideas and start putting together basic, stylish outfits. I really love her ideas, she tells you how to mix and match, and many of her pieces are Target, Old Navy, etc. The only problem for me is that most of her outfits are too casual for my work week but it may work perfectly for you!

https://www.puttingmetogether.com/ 

azuremama

I think we've all been there!  Don't feel bad. 

Go shop alone.  I hate shopping with other people.  Then you can try on what you like and not feel like you're wasting someone else's time.

I think it helps to have a uniform, so to speak.  There are certain things that you probably gravitate to in your wardrobe that you like, so I'd try to find stuff like that but maybe nicer, updated, etc.  I wear a lot of t-shirts and cardigans/blazers.  Not exciting, but it makes getting dressed easy.

Other people have good suggestions on the stores.  Maybe lands end for some stuff that's not too trendy or shows too much skin? 

Brit's Luna154

I like Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom for some nicer staple pieces. I get cashmere cardigans for work, jeans, and a few dressy pieces, for example a summer and a winter LBD at those stores. I might buy a few cute weekend tops at those stores, but not a ton because it turns out that DD has a tendency to poop/puke/whatever on my "nice" things.

I buy my cheaper, more washable things like t-shirts, summer dresses, etc. at Target and TJ Maxx mostly. I am also in love with the Mossimo dress pants from Target right now. In the past, I always bought dress pants from Express or Banana Republic, but the Target ones are about half the price and fit me way better right now.

A lof of people I know like Ann Taylor Loft, it isn't the right shape for my body, so I don't shop there, but I like a lot of their styles and they sell in their outlet stores at a price point that I can stomach.

ksyknelvr73

I really love Maurices and New York and Co - those are my go-to places for sure. Plus, they both send out lots of coupons so things aren't as expensive. Maurices is a little more trendy but I find that they have a lot of classic things too, and they just have a great FIT and have a lot of good things that camoflauge problem areas.

dizzycooks

thedash:

dizzykates:

I'm cheap.  That's my biggest problem.  We have the money, but even then I don't have the willingness to spend it. I need to get over that.

Here are some things I liked today.  My job is pretty casual.  I try to keep a handful of more formal things for conferences and open house night, but overall these things work for work and home.  I want to be able to use them pretty interchangeably.

https://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=82424&vid=1&pid=352242012

https://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=460274

Is this boring? 

 

 

No, not boring. But they are more casual than I was thinking you needed. I also would not pay $75 for a maxi dress so that's not you being cheap!

If you need basic t-shirts and casual dresses I would personally go with Target and TJ Maxx rather than some of the name brands we've mentioned. The Target website has great deals if you select "sale" and with the Redcard you get free shipping with no minimum purchase. Build up your basics from those places and then you can add in a really cute jacket, dress, etc from a nicer place when you see a sale or your budget allows.

After I had DS it took me more than 6 months to get back to my old clothes. When I did I realized they were all old and worn out and not in style anymore. This blog really helped me get some ideas and start putting together basic, stylish outfits. I really love her ideas, she tells you how to mix and match, and many of her pieces are Target, Old Navy, etc. The only problem for me is that most of her outfits are too casual for my work week but it may work perfectly for you!

https://www.puttingmetogether.com/ 

Love the website!  Yes, her style would make me very happy. 

Kissty

I think it will depend on your personal style.  I like Palais Royal (also known as Stage Coach Stores, Beall's).  I also like NY & Co.  I NEVER buy anything that isn't on sale.  My poor DH would get so frustrated with me.  As long as I spend less than $100.00 I don't even have to mention I bought anything.  It's so rare now that I buy anything though.  One thing that worked for me was to just try it on.  Before long I fingured out my body type and what styles look good on me and what doesn't.  If there is something you like try it on and see how it looks.  Look at the cut of something rather than the pattern/colors.  Start with cut and that will make shopping quicker also.  Buy things that can be layered/changed with cardigan or jacket for a different look.

bumpuser2505903

My favorite is White House Black Market. They have decent sales too.