Need to VENT cannot find appropriate work clothes.

[disneydreamingdebby]

It sounds like Joyce Leslie is a juniors store. I would try to stick with misses... --also, maybe a couple of scarves to help with less dressy tops (like good quality T's). throw a scarf on with slacks...

Good Luck!

 

[minkydog]

try lands end (some of it is at sears)

it is conservative dress, but the stuff wears like iron and you can usually mix and match the colors. (and if something tears and/or pops a button, they have a very good return/replace policy)

Their dress shirts (womens and mens) seem to last forever.

their slack/chino/dress pants are the same.

DW tells me that the womens chino skirts, and other dresses are the same quality.

If you have to wear "work clothing" it would be a good investment.

I was going to say Lands End, too. You can find all the business casual durable clothes for work there. Khaki pants, golf shirts, long sleeve button downs, sweaters and cardigans. A classic conservative look. and the stuff never wears out or goes out of style.

 

[mickeyboat]

Do have a Christopher and Banks store near you? When I go into that store, I automatically think teacher clothes.

Good luck!

Denae

 

[englishteacha]

I'd love to be a size 8!

Anyway, I purchased my student teaching clothes and found that I'd bought things that were much too dressy for the building I was teaching in. I now work there! My favorite teacher clothes are khakis and button down shirts, or a scoop neck with a cami under it. I'm very well endowed, so I have to be careful not to show too much, too. I also have some comfy skorts for warm weather. I also have a very nice wrap dress that is very forgiving of my figure. It's perfect for meeting parents as it looks really put together but is very comfy. I wore it to my class reunion last year and looked fabulous, if I do say so myself. I like shopping at Walmart, thrift stores, JC Penney, and online at Chadwicks.

 

[powellrj]

Do have a Christopher and Banks store near you? When I go into that store, I automatically think teacher clothes.

Good luck!

Denae

I was going to suggest Christopher and Banks too. I love their clothes and you can get some really great sales.

 

[jam217]

A third vote for Christopher and Banks!! My store has a clearance section in the very back that usually has great prices.

 

[Cindy B]

As someone who student taught last September, please remember to check if your school has a teacher dress code or uniform. My student teaching school required all teachers (which included student teachers) to wear the same uniform as the students.

I would check out the school and ask the principal/staff if you can. I wanted to buy a wonderful wadrobe but found out that I had to wear the same uniform as the students.

 

[monkey68]

If button downs don't work for you, don't wear button downs. Unless there is some rule that says you have to, as women, we have more leeway when it comes to business casual. I am "well-endowed" in a certain area, and I have 2 button down shirts that fit, the others are just no good. I've had luck at Macy's from the Style and Co brand, also had luck at NY&Co, and bloomingdales. Bloomingdale's had a great sale a while back, and I got a lot of great stuff for really cheap, so don't be afraid of those types of stores. Since you're in NJ, is there any chance you can get to a Century 21? They have a large variety of clothes.

My big tip is make sure your stuff is machine washable. Now that I'm in the hospital, I realized most of my dress pants were dry clean only. I went out and bought a bunch of new pants that were machine washable. And don't be afraid of a tailor. Very few dressy clothes fit perfectly right off the rack.

 

[Caradana]

It sounds like we hit some of the same challenges when it comes to fit (I'm also a short size 8). I think you'll do great if you build off a few fundamentals - a pair or two of black pants, a pair of khaki pants, a few comfy longer, looser short-sleeved sweaters (solids) and a string of pearls with pearl stud earrings. You'll be amazed how far that will go. Sometimes I find shopping a little more manageable if I know what I'm going for in terms of items.

How did your second shopping run go? I hope well!

p.s. they're a little expensive, but I just LOVE the pants that Spanx makes - http://www.spanx.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=3010060&cp=2992556 - these pants are super-comfy and they literally make me look like I'm defying gravity on the backside - I've never seen them in stores, but maybe you can find them, or try them out online if you're interested!

 

[Caradana]

And don't be afraid of a tailor. Very few dressy clothes fit perfectly right off the rack.

Monkey68 is right, that is so true. A tailor can make SUCH a big difference. I don't know any in Monmouth County, but I'd be happy to refer you to a great one in Middlesex County (Cranbury, off Route 33) if you'd like!

 

[Rora]

Have you tried Walmart, Target, etc? I sometimes find some cute dressier clothes at Walmart and they're always pretty decent priced! You could also try Gordman's or TJ Maxx as they are a little bit easier on the budget. Good luck to you, I had a hard time finding things that were office appropriate too! Now if I see something that is perfect for work, I go ahead and pick it up. I'm starting to get quite the collection built up!

I agree with this!

In addition to trying to find cheaper clothes, I would recommend saving up a little money and buying key, important, classic pieces that fit your body well and then use stores like Old Navy, Target, Wal-Mart to add on. Also, sometimes you just need to get pieces of clothing tailored.

Good luck!! Shopping can be frustrating.

 

[golfgal]

Do you have an outlet mall near you? I have had great luck at the Van Heusen outlet for work clothes.

 

[GJM]

I LOVE Macy's Style & Co. clothes, the pants fit me the best in the Petite size. These are also the only jeans that fit me well. I have never paid full price in Macy's, the items will be on sale or you can always find a coupon.

Living in SC now, I don't have Macy's near me and miss it very much!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Stein Mart if you have it.

A basic pant, a basic skirt and a blouse/button up shirt that you can wear with it with a tank/camisol layered underneath if necessary.

Informal but professional looking dresses are also nice as well.

 

[threeboysmom]

Seriously?

I shop at Ann Taylor and Loft all the time - 99% of my clothes come from those two stores. They have gorgeous career clothing without being immodest. If something is a little too low cut, I wear a lacey camisole underneath it. Still looks tailored and professional and modest. I've invested in the basic colors - white, tan, navy, and black - and those get me through any outfit I pull together.

 

[Goofyzgurl]

I live in TJ Maxx and Marshalls! The prices are great and they have a wide variety of brands. I also love target. As for the shirts that showcase your goodies, wear a cami underneath. I wear camies under 50 percent of my tops, it just looks finished to me with them. I have a hard time finding pants, it'll be too big in the waist when it fits my thighs. I've been having great luck with the drew fit from the Limited. TJ maxx gets quite a few of the Limited stuff. For some reason though, not all drew fits are the same so I have to try them all. There's such a wide variety of brands at TJ/Marshalls that I always find something.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I am not sure what the problem is...I begin my student teaching in Sept and I am having such a hard time finding clothing! Everything is either too expensive or my bubbies/cleavage is showing, and I cannot wear something like that in a classroom!!
I have had no luck with NY & Co
The Loft
Anne Taylor
Gap
Dress Barn
JC Penney
Old Navy
Forever 21
Charlotte Russe
Joyce Leslie (although I got nice dress pants there last year, cannot find them again this year of course!)
The Limited
H&M

I have a pretty odd shape I guess
I had a little luck in Boscovs and Banana Republic but that store is so expensive. I also did ok in Kohls. Planning on going to Macy's this week.
Anyone else have suggestions, I hate shopping and spending lots of $$ on clothing. I already posted about this issue on the Budget Boards but it is just getting worse it seems as I am running out of time!!!!

I feel your pain in a way. I finally just said screw it the other day and spent $150 just on a couple basics. After my 4th baby, I just cannot get back into my clothes. I mean, I can button them, but I can't breathe and look like crap. I was so sick of wearing clothes too small for me or the maternity clothes that hung all over me. I'm supposed to look professional, not frumpy or teenyboppery (my word).
Kohls is where I have to shop (my discount helps), but they have so many different brands and juniors/misses to buy from. I went up to a 9 vs 7, and what do you know, I actually look kinda cute again... LOL

I agree with the PP about cami's...they can be your best friend, either to hide cleavage (unfortunately not MY problem), or to smooth out a not so smooth middle

oh..and little blazer style jackets are soo cute over jeans, khakis or dress slacks.

 

[Linzybrooke]

Eddie Bauer - lots on sale right now and almost everything is teacher appropriate. I teach high school and often run into the same problem, I even got a job at EB because I liked the clothes so much. I either shop there or put a cami under everything else.

Good luck!

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

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.

 

[monkey68]

Comfy shoes... Geox brand. They look professional, and they're really comfortable. I'm on my feet 11 hours a day, and I never have any blisters, and while my feet don't exactly enjoy being stood on for 11 hours, they're not screaming in pain either. Plus, the shoes are actually pretty cute too. They may be a bit pricey, but it's worth it.