Need to VENT cannot find appropriate work clothes.

[paintnolish]

I swear by Born shoes. They are a little more expensive, but they are so comfy. I even waitress in them-actually, the same pair for almost 2 years. That is saying a lot, believe me!

 

[Cindy B]

Thanks everyone, 2nd shopping trip and all I got was a bra, but hoping tomorrow I could go back to Boscovs and the "mall stores". I was seriously thinking about buying the Dr. Rey shapewear in Sears.

A few people mentioned a store (chris or mike something?) we don't have that here in NJ, well this part of NJ anyways, and Century 21, I don't have one around me either.

Someone also mentioned Van Huessen which I tried and I also tried Bass.

Thanks everyone, going to try the mall stores again tomorrow and MAYBE Kohls.

Now......comfy shoes? hahahaha
But I am being serious.

Since you are in NJ, I will reiterate what I said before about all teachers wearing uniforms just like the students.-- I'm in NJ too. Please check before you invest in a wardrobe. The districts that I am aware of that do this are Camden City, some Trenton schools, some Ewing schools, some Newark schools. There are a few suburban communities in South Jersey that are considering it: Winslow Twp., Mt. Holly, Lindenwold.

My cooperating teacher told me about the uniform code for all teachers before school started, but some of the cooperating teachers didn't. The rest of the student teachers (there were 5 in the building) bought whole wardrobes that they couldn't wear and had to rebuy uniform clothes. Even if you aren't teaching in those districts, make the phone call to the school just for peace of mind.

As for other teaching clothes, I did have great luck at Kohls.

 

[golfgal]

I swear by Born shoes. They are a little more expensive, but they are so comfy. I even waitress in them-actually, the same pair for almost 2 years. That is saying a lot, believe me!

I agree. It is hard to find Born shoes that are dressy though but for teaching they will be perfect. For dress shoes I get Munro. They are the most comfortable heals I have ever worn. They are spendy but WELL worth it. I don't skimp on shoes if I want to be able to walk by the end of the day.

OP, can you take someone shopping with you to help you pick out clothing? Also, which departments are you shopping in when you go? If you are still in the teen section, move over to the women's department and you will have better luck.

Do you have any consignment shops near you? That might be an option. Goodwill might be worth a look too. When I did my student teaching I had NO money (paid for 100% of my school on my own and was pretty much tapped out by then). My sister made me some skirts and I bought a couple blouses and that was my wardrobe for 18 weeks.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

I did much better today!

I got 3 shirts @ Macy's and a pair of brown pants (whoever suggested Style & Co. thanks a bunch!)

I went to a different Sears and got a shirt. I saw it yesterday but they didn't have my size but this sears had it, its cute!

I got 2 shirts from Boscovs and my best deals had to be my shoes! I got a pair of Clarks for $19!!! and I got another pair (not Clarks, some other brand) for only $10! They had 75% off a whole bunch of shoes!

I have in my closet 3 pairs of black pants and a pair of gray ones and a khaki color type from Banana Republic, so I could now make a few outfits!

All I need now are a pair of brown shoes, some camis and more undergarments and I am done
And I'll have to keep an eye out for things I like from now on. It will be warm here until probably mid-late Oct so I won't need sweaters and heavier clothing just yet and I do have a few things from when I did my observation in the winter months last year.

Thanks everyone!

 

[redlight]

I did much better today!

I got 3 shirts @ Macy's and a pair of brown pants (whoever suggested Style & Co. thanks a bunch!)

I went to a different Sears and got a shirt. I saw it yesterday but they didn't have my size but this sears had it, its cute!

I got 2 shirts from Boscovs and my best deals had to be my shoes! I got a pair of Clarks for $19!!! and I got another pair (not Clarks, some other brand) for only $10! They had 75% off a whole bunch of shoes!

I have in my closet 3 pairs of black pants and a pair of gray ones and a khaki color type from Banana Republic, so I could now make a few outfits!

All I need now are a pair of brown shoes, some camis and more undergarments and I am done
And I'll have to keep an eye out for things I like from now on. It will be warm here until probably mid-late Oct so I won't need sweaters and heavier clothing just yet and I do have a few things from when I did my observation in the winter months last year.

Thanks everyone!

Great job shopping!

 

[TaraLee4]

Oh, i don't feel so alone, even though i'm looking for summer clothes!

There are dozens of stores...yet where are all the clothes??

 

[flying_babyb]

I understand the bubbies problem. My boss is very picky about the no bubbies not backsides no bellys rule. I just buy what I like (even low cut) and add a few stiches. I bought a top for $20 that showed like everything when I bent over. Five stiches later I had a work approprate shirt.

 

[Angelhalo]

I only shop at thrift stores, and Kohl's clearance racks so I'm not much help. I have so many clothes I coud clothe a small country, but I pay next to nothing for them so I get to switch up my wardrobe all the time without spending a lot. The dress I am wearing to work today is BEAUTIFUL! I wore it to church last week and got soooooooo many compliments on it but it only cost me $4 at Goodwill. You just have to willing to spend the time to find the right sizes, try everything on, and inspect for holes or stains. I have some great, expensive, brand name stuff that all cost me under $5 a piece. If you get a free Saturday, you might want to check it out

 

[HelenePA]

I tried Target, not Walmart yet though and I haven't tried Sears either, thanks for mentioning that!

I was at dress barn and it was in an outlet mall and the tops were $45!!!! I was just shocked!

Did you look on the outlet mall's website for coupons? Join their VIP club (which most have) for even more discounts!

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

I only shop at thrift stores, and Kohl's clearance racks so I'm not much help. I have so many clothes I coud clothe a small country, but I pay next to nothing for them so I get to switch up my wardrobe all the time without spending a lot. The dress I am wearing to work today is BEAUTIFUL! I wore it to church last week and got soooooooo many compliments on it but it only cost me $4 at Goodwill. You just have to willing to spend the time to find the right sizes, try everything on, and inspect for holes or stains. I have some great, expensive, brand name stuff that all cost me under $5 a piece. If you get a free Saturday, you might want to check it out

In the beginning of Aug I gave 2 big garbage bags to a consignment shop. The girl told me the "rules" I get 50% of whatever they list the item as. She also mentioned that all summer items were going to be 1/2 off the following week so it was up to me if I wanted to keep them. If i had to estimate I would say I had about a bag of winter clothes and a bag of summery items. I called last week and only had $17 in the account The clothes I gave to the store were all pre-pregnancy (like 4 years ago haha) and I hoped I would get back into my size 4s but that NEVER Happened and I don't think it ever will either so to the consignment shop they went.

I would like to go back to that store, clothes were nice, but nothing was in order so I would really have to search, its just hard to shop with DD, I need someone to watch her haha.

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm short, too, and rather round these days, unfortunately. I find my best professional clothes at Eddie Bauer -- but not in the store; in the catalog, on clearance. Except for the very largest locations, EB tends not to carry their professional clothing in brick and mortar stores. I've had the best luck with their huge outlets in Colorado -- every time I visit there I make it a point to stock up.

For plain trousers, Coldwater Creek has served me well, too. This is a store that you have to be kind of careful with, as a lot of what they carry is aimed squarely at the over-55 market, and tends to be a bit garishly colored. (Why is it that retailers so often think that as women get older that they want to start wearing candy-colored clothes? It's not that they are not pretty, but they tend not to be the most flattering for those of us who are no longer thin.)

As for shoes, that is one place I'd invest if I were on my feet most of the day. Merrell has been making some rather nice professional dress shoes lately; you might want to check those out.