Professional Ladies: Where do you purchase clothing?

[Christine]

Ann Taylor Factory Store for me.

I get lots of professional sweaters and put one of their wardrobing blouses underneath. Goes well over top of skirts and pants.

I don't have great luck with their blouses but usually find decent blouses in the Kaspar suit store.

Tahari suits are my favorite as they fit broad shoulders and slimmer hips.

I will randomly find skirts places. Like I have to cute plaid wool skirts I got at Kohl's about 2 years ago. I went to Ann Taylor loft and got the nice sweaters and blouses to top them off.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

JC Pennys.

 

[golfgal]

Ann Taylor Factory Store for me.

I get lots of professional sweaters and put one of their wardrobing blouses underneath. Goes well over top of skirts and pants.

I don't have great luck with their blouses but usually find decent blouses in the Kaspar suit store.

Tahari suits are my favorite as they fit broad shoulders and slimmer hips.

I will randomly find skirts places. Like I have to cute plaid wool skirts I got at Kohl's about 2 years ago. I went to Ann Taylor loft and got the nice sweaters and blouses to top them off.

Same here!

 

[Kit'smommy]

Banana Republic, J Crew, Talbots, Ann Taylor and Nordstrom.

 

[Pigeon]

Boscovs, Macys and Penneys. I like Tahari, Jones NY, and Larry Lavine suits.

If you have a Burlington Coat Factory, occasionally they will get a ton of good suits and sell them for very, very cheap. I just picked up a couple of lovely Tahari suits for $39 each. They are probably last year's style, but they are simple, classic suits, so who cares? I'm heading there tomorrow to see if they've clearanced them even further.

The blouse thing is tough. My building is freezing all the time. I usually buy shells from JCP, and wear Cuddleduds vests underneath them. JCP sells shells that come in solids or patterns so you can mix it up a little.

I wish designers didn't think that every woman can wear nothing but underwear under a suit jacket to work. They must watch too much TV.

 

[Angelhalo]

I work in a very nice office in the ritzy part of town and I do ALL of my shopping at Goodwill and the Salvation Army. I get compliments on my clothes all the time!ETA: I also get a few things at Ross from time to time. They have suits and separates.

 

[Pakey]

Ann Taylor is definitely my favorite.

I also shop at Nordstroms, Macys and Talbot. I do not wear "blouses" with my pants/jackets. I prefer to wear a sweater type of top.

 

[Brit17]

JC Penneys & Kasper

 

[ilovejack02]

Ann Taylor Loft, Ann Taylor factory store and the Ann Taylor mall store.

Also had luck at Dress Barn.

 

[Arielle22]

I also prefer a shell under my suit jackets. I love Tahari designs but they don't fit me well.

 

[prncess674]

My job requires me to meet & deal with the public in authoritative position. I need professional clothing. I prefer pant suits but have trouble finding blouses to wear with them. IF I find a matching blouse, it seems to have a plunging neckline, ruffles or sequins. None of which I consider professional enough. Where do you purchase you professional work clothing?

Do you really need to wear a suit? The days of women wearing matchy matchy skirt/pant sets are very rare unless you work at a bank headquarters or a law firm. Even if your office isn't business casual most women can get away with classic trousers and blazers. I also see plenty of professional women wear classic knee length skirts with cute sweater twin sets. My general rule is always feel more put together if I am wearing three pieces vs just a top and bottom. If it is crazy hot and I just can't stand wearing a jacket I will tie a long silk scarf or wear a big statement belt to top off an outfit.

 

[TDC Nala]

I quit with blouses. If I wear suits I wear scoop or jewel neck tee shirts or shells with them. Of course, I don't wear suits anymore.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Angelhalo wrote: I work in a very nice office in the ritzy part of town and I do ALL of my shopping at Goodwill and the Salvation Army.



You can find some really expensive name brands there!!!

TC

 

[mom2boys]

Thanks for all the great responses. I frequently meet with attorneys & CPAs so I do need to wear suits a couple of times a week. Our building is like an oven - so I like to layer but I don't like sleeveless tops. I also go out to my client's offices - never know what temperatures I might encounter out there.

Boy, I am pickier than I realized1

Banana Republic? It's been about 20 years since I've been in one - my image of Banana Republic is "safari" type clothes. Guess I need to visit again.

 

[LaceyLace]

Absolutely LOVE Ann Taylor!

I work at an investment firm and 90% of my clothes come from Ann.

Just yesterday I was able to pick up a nice black suit jacket that I can wear with black slacks for a more casual day or with a black skirt for a more professional look. $169.99 original price marked down to 69.99. Plus the store was running a 40% off everything in store. Got it for $41.

I think they have a ton of blouses/shells to choose from. I can always find more things in that store that I want to buy than what I can actually afford to buy, lol.

As for the plunge, I'm a big fan of no cleavage in the office so I stock up on camisoles in all colors and prints. I like a little hint of lace showing there rather than bare skin anyways...

 

[kacaju]

If you have a Burlington Coat Factory, occasionally they will get a ton of good suits and sell them for very, very cheap. I just picked up a couple of lovely Tahari suits for $39 each. They are probably last year's style, but they are simple, classic suits, so who cares?

My dd14 shows dogs and she needs to wear suits. I try to find suits as cheaply as possible!!
Burlington Coat Factory is great, ours is right next to Macy's and we have gone to both stores and have seen the same suits in both stores!!
I also go to thrift stores and I agreee with others, sometimes you can get great buys there!!

 

[dani0622]

Macys, Banana Republic, and New York & Co.

I am lucky enough to live near "outlets" and they have Banana Republic there and I find lots of marked down professional wear.

 

[pixie dust 112]

Macy's and Coldwater Creek.

 

[emer95]

I love The Limited because they carry my size. I prefer the prices at dept. stores but they do not carry enough of the small sizes unless it's the junior section, which definitely doesn't scream professional.
I also have good luck at NY & Company on occasion.

 

[NewCrew42]

... I'm guessin' 'Fredericks of Hollywood'....









.....ohhhhh, not THAT profession - mah bad.