Professional Attire (Full Version)

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Grace-N-Mercy -> Professional Attire (5/27/2008 11:50:25 AM)

Hey, everyone. I have a question. Most of the clothes I wear to work are casual and on top of that, I have recently lost a lot of weight. The problem is, I have a training next week that includes many of the top administrators from two counties. This will be a great opportunity to do some networking, but my closet is bare and I don't have a lot of time to shop as my weekend is already packed.

Have you ever bought clothes online? I don't have a problem with buying accessories online, but the few times I've bought clothes online, the clothes fit great and looked great.

What stores do you frequent?



alias007 -> RE: Professional Attire (5/27/2008 12:07:57 PM)

Ann Taylor and Banana Republic both have nice career clothes you can buy online. Sometimes you can find great deals on namebrand clothes on Ebay, too. It helps to go in the store first and make sure you know your size in a particular line of clothing, but after that- I'm all for shopping online.



Miss Giggles -> RE: Professional Attire (5/27/2008 12:08:23 PM)

I go to Ann Taylor / Ann Taylor Loft or Macys. Sometimes Talbots. I can't recommend buying online unless you are familiar with how the clothes are sized. Ann Taylors stuff is sized different than other stores. There are no standard sizes for women and the smaller you get, then the sizes are even more varied. Esp if you have to wear petites.

Always stick with the basics blue/black/ grey or pinstripe. Then you can vary the tops and jackets depending on the weather.

They move their merchandise real quick so there is often items on clearance. (Its pricy but its quality clothes and if you get on their mailing list you can get coupons)

If you need it altered then I wouldn't buy online just so you have enough time before your event.



iluvatar -> RE: Professional Attire (5/28/2008 6:45:07 AM)

I have a hard enough time finding clothes on the rack that fit me. I would never, ever buy clothes online.

-Dan.



kernsfamily -> RE: Professional Attire (5/28/2008 9:54:48 AM)

Same here....I almost never buy clothes online....the only time I do, is if I know for sure how that specific brand fits me....otherwise, you're better off to go to the store and try it on before you buy (to save yourself the hassle of returning in the mail and all)

Beware of eBay, as many clothes (especially brand names) are counterfeits....or stolen....

It just depends where you live, and which stores you have in your area.....for me, I buy my "work clothes" at Nordstrom (they have a great 'anniversary' sale the last half of July).....

As a guy, my "professional" attire is typically a very nice golf shirt (Bobby Jones, Eleven Straight), and dress slacks (for the texas summers), and perhaps a sport coat, just in case.....

Do you have a Harold's store near you? That's another great place to check out.



WalkingwithHim2 -> RE: Professional Attire (5/28/2008 11:00:55 AM)

Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft have the classics and all of her designs are mix and match.



Grace-N-Mercy -> RE: Professional Attire (5/28/2008 3:28:50 PM)

Thanks for all the recommendations!! I checked out most of the stores online and they're just what I'm looking for, but they don't have stores nearby (except for Macy's). I may have to do a weekday run to the mall (the nearest mall is about 30 miles away!!); I'm sure I'll need to have the pants altered. But they're loading me up with trainings over the next few weeks, so I'll have time to order the rest.

BTW, my favorite pair of boots came from an online catalog... they're the most comfortable pair of shoes I own. So I don't have any trouble experimenting with online ordering. [:)]

quote:

They move their merchandise real quick so there is often items on clearance. (Its pricy but its quality clothes and if you get on their mailing list you can get coupons)

Yeah, the clothes are a bit pricy for what I usually pay, but then quality clothes last a long time.

quote:

Do you have a Harold's store near you? That's another great place to check out.

I haven't heard of Harolds. There are a lot of stores we don't have around here. I might find some of the specialty stores in a couple of malls that are over 40 miles away, but I'd have to make a special trip there.



kernsfamily -> RE: Professional Attire (5/28/2008 4:07:59 PM)

quote:

Do you have a Harold's store near you? That's another great place to check out.

I haven't heard of Harolds. There are a lot of stores we don't have around here. I might find some of the specialty stores in a couple of malls that are over 40 miles away, but I'd have to make a special trip there.


check out their online store (which usually also has a TON of stuff in their "clearance" section, Harold's Closeout)....if you're thinking about buying online....can always return it....

Your situation is like that of where my inlaws live, and where I lived for a few years before getting married.....they are 2 hours from the nearest "shopping mall"....thank goodness for the Internet for them!....though, sometimes, I wouldn't mind being that far away from a mall!



WalkingwithHim2 -> RE: Professional Attire (5/28/2008 4:10:27 PM)

GNM... Ann Taylor and Loft has an awesome petite section. I'm only 5'2 and I don't have to have the pants altered if I buy from those stores.



Grace-N-Mercy -> RE: Professional Attire (5/28/2008 4:21:04 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: kernsfamily

check out their online store (which usually also has a TON of stuff in their "clearance" section, Harold's Closeout)....if you're thinking about buying online....can always return it....

Your situation is like that of where my inlaws live, and where I lived for a few years before getting married.....they are 2 hours from the nearest "shopping mall"....thank goodness for the Internet for them!....though, sometimes, I wouldn't mind being that far away from a mall!

Thanks!! They don't even have a single store in my state! [>:] Not even an outlet store. And speaking of outlet stores, the nearest is about two hours from here. I wouldn't mind being closer for a change. [:D]

quote:

ORIGINAL: WalkingwithHim2

GNM... Ann Taylor and Loft has an awesome petite section. I'm only 5'2 and I don't have to have the pants altered if I buy from those stores.


Ooh, perfect!! I'm 5'1 and I usually have to take up even the petites. [:D]



WalkingwithHim2 -> RE: Professional Attire (5/28/2008 4:31:45 PM)

I wear short heels....1.5 - 2 inches...so maybe that helps. Another reason why I shop at Ann Taylor is because they don't follow the trends too much. I'm not a teenager so I have no business wearing hip hugger "business slacks" kwim?



Miss Giggles -> RE: Professional Attire (5/28/2008 6:00:11 PM)

Me too, I used to shop at Petite Sophisticate but they closed down. I wanted to cry [&:]

Nordstrom too, even though they are expensive they have a few pieces that you may be able to work with, and they'll alter it for you if you buy it there. The salespeople at Nordstrom and Ann Taylor are usually pretty good at figuring out what looks best on you.



schween -> RE: Professional Attire (5/29/2008 8:00:21 AM)

i love shopping at nordstrom. it's a really good shop and their service is of good quality.



Grace-N-Mercy -> RE: Professional Attire (5/29/2008 1:42:54 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: WalkingwithHim2

I wear short heels....1.5 - 2 inches...so maybe that helps. Another reason why I shop at Ann Taylor is because they don't follow the trends too much. I'm not a teenager so I have no business wearing hip hugger "business slacks" kwim?


Yeah, I know what you mean, but I do like the lower-cut pants sometimes, if they're well-made. They don't look too fashionable on me, but they are comfortable and they've stayed "in" long enough that they'll probably last a few more years.

quote:

Me too, I used to shop at Petite Sophisticate but they closed down.

I liked that store, too.

quote:

Nordstrom too, even though they are expensive they have a few pieces that you may be able to work with, and they'll alter it for you if you buy it there. The salespeople at Nordstrom and Ann Taylor are usually pretty good at figuring out what looks best on you.


I decided to do my shopping at the stores for these reasons. The mall I'll need to go to is about 40 miles away, and the outlet mall is about 90 miles, so I'll have to make special trips. But the local stores just don't carry what I need.

I now have six days of trainings/workshops/mixers in the next three weeks... it usually takes 2-3 months to get that many days of training. Oy!! [8|]



pruned -> RE: Professional Attire (5/29/2008 8:12:02 PM)

ORIGINAL: Grace-N-Mercy
quote:

the nearest mall is about 30 miles away!!);


A whole 30 minutes, eh? The nearest mall to me is 2 hours. [:D]


What is professional attire these days? I can wear jeans to work if I want now, so my closet is completely full of casual clothing. However, I am toying with a job change. Are you still wearing suits in the office? Help!



Miss Giggles -> RE: Professional Attire (5/29/2008 8:14:45 PM)

Depends on the office, what your position is, and if you deal with the public or customers.

My job is real casual. Most places went to business casual but that's different in each place.

Sales / Mgt positions tend to be the traditional business wear.

I am 5 minutes from the mall, can't imagine a 2 hour drive.



pruned -> RE: Professional Attire (5/29/2008 8:23:23 PM)

What are some examples of business casual?

Oh - and the 2 hour commute is so much nicer now that we actually have a recently completed nice road connecting us.



Miss Giggles -> RE: Professional Attire (5/29/2008 8:45:47 PM)

Khakis or other kinds of pants
Polos, sweaters
Casual shirts
Skirts/Dresses

Usually no capris, sleeveless shirts and no sandals/shorts. That type of thing.



monamie -> RE: Professional Attire (5/29/2008 10:07:43 PM)

My business attire is scrubs. It's like wearing jammies to work every day!!!! (and they have cute ones now)

But when I have needed business type attire for conferences, I actually have better luck at Target and Old Navy than anywhere else. I can get nice slacks, blazers and blouses--sometimes on clearance.



Miss Giggles -> RE: Professional Attire (5/29/2008 11:27:52 PM)

Our Target is all revealing flashy clothes that are more for going to a club than to work.



kernsfamily -> RE: Professional Attire (5/30/2008 8:52:35 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: pruned

ORIGINAL: Grace-N-Mercy
quote:

the nearest mall is about 30 miles away!!);


A whole 30 minutes, eh? The nearest mall to me is 2 hours. [:D]


we've got at least 8, probably more, shopping malls within 30 minutes of our home here in Dallas (one of the 'shopping capitals' of the country)....and that doesn't include the shopping centers, some of which are better than the malls, but aren't "enclosed" like a conventional mall is....there are several though that do "look alike" (same general "mix" of stores), with a few malls being very "unique" and having some stores that you just can't find elsewhere.



Stronger2day -> RE: Professional Attire (5/30/2008 2:57:57 PM)

I worked in a more formal public accounting firm in San Francisco and my female colleagues loved to poke fun- but I found reasonable clothing for reasonable prices at JC Penney (career section) and Macy's. Funny that they commented that they liked some of my pieces, just not the name of the store they came from! I like Nordstroms and AT, but didn't always like the prices. Target's prodcts can sometimes shrink or isn't always made well enough for career clothing, IMO. Rather spend a little more and have pieces that will last you longer.

If the high ranks will be there- go more formal business than bus casual or smart casual.

Good luck![:D]



Cloak -> RE: Professional Attire (5/31/2008 7:56:28 PM)

Another choice is Avon. I remember when I worked with them for some time, I purchased some clothes which were really nice and worth the trouble and actually are inexpensive. If they are on special, you can take advantage and buy them for less than the real price.

I think we have a dear cyberfriend who works with Avon....DenimDiva/Roberta, some pointers. What's on for Avon in this campaign. Any business attire in the actual campaign???



WalkingwithHim2 -> RE: Professional Attire (6/4/2008 3:18:41 PM)

Heya GNM....did you go shopping yet?



Grace-N-Mercy -> RE: Professional Attire (6/5/2008 9:44:58 AM)

Hey, WWH2. Yes, I did get out one evening and did some shopping! Macy's had a couple of outfits I liked, but I still have to take up one pair of slacks. Oh, and I got some shoes on sale at Dillards... 75% off! [sm=dance.gif] The training was canceled, but I'm still looking -- now it's for interview outfits... just in case.

So... my plan is to make a special trip to the one mall that has Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and others. Oh, and I signed up for their email lists so I can catch the sales.



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