Help -- wardrobe makeover please!

[catnapper]

The office is hot. I'm talking 80 degrees and the weather outside is a mere 65 degrees! ALL of us are dying already, and I'm told it gets worse (oh yippie :rolleyes: ) This means I'm now scrambling to get new warm-weather clothes much sooner than expected. I had figured I could milk my winter wardrobe for at least another 3 weeks before breaking down and buying a ton of warm-weather professional clothes.

Sooooo.... people I need help. I have a very limited budget. I already scoured the Goodwills in my area. I bought one whole shirt from the TJ Maxx clearance section for $6 (thats my price range ;))

To make matters all the more complicated, I'm a plus-sized gal. Everything in my size is either frumpy and grandmotherly (which technically, I am a grandmother :p) or waaayyyyy too young and funky.

Maybe you all can find pretty new work clothes online and post the links? I need nice things that are professional, easy to care for, comfortable, and affordable.

Here's your homework: help me and keep in mind I'm plus-sized, mid-thirties, and am an interior designer (so I can get away with some "fun" clothes). I LOVE reds, corals, bright pinks, etc. so I am not afraid to wear strong color. I stay away from black and other dark solids because of cat hair (I was lint rolling my heart out this morning less than 5 minutes after I put on a fresh pair of black pants)

[Craftlady]

Lee's outlets are great for tops. They have their summer stuff in now.

Fashion Bug another place, although I dont care for their clothes, but then I'm in my 50's and their stuff is geared for way younger.

Dress Barn is a great place to find professional looking clothes at reasonable prices when stuff is on sale.

I hear Value City is another good place to find clothes.

www.blair.com is another nice place to get stuff.


Most major department stores are having Easter sales so might find stuff reasonable priced.

Yard sales are starting up now that spring is here. Church rumage sales are great places to find stuff.

[Karen]

Check discount places, and even department stores - and don't forget to look at the men's racks. Especially as, for some reason, often the strong or bright colors for shirts don't seem to sell well to large men, so you can often find "dress shirts" that would fit you, but in colors no self-respecting guy would wear. You just have to get used to them buttoning on the other side, and maybe put in some darts to emphasize your girliness, that's pretty simple to do.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Coldwater Creek has some incredible buys in their on-line clearance...and lots of plus sizes....

[columbine]

Don't forget eBay!

[joycenalex]

check the phonebook for plussized consignment shops, i sold many many of my things there. there is a speciality market that some smart women are building on. also macys' has sale racks, so check them.

[catnapper]

Thanks guys!

Craft Lady and I seem to think a lot alike. I checked out the Lee outlet on Friday (its a whole 2 blocks from my house) and saw some nice things but right now they're still more expensive than what I can pay right now (everything was closer to $20.... they got more expensive in January when they changed their pricing poplict to make it "easier for customers" :rolleyes: )

The Dress Barn Outlet was in the same place.... they know me by name in there since I'm always loooking and keeping an eye out for certain pieces to go on sale. When they do go on sale, they all excitedly tell me that the top I wanted is 50% off, etc. :p

I hate Fashion Bug -- that stuff is cheaply made and never fits me right. I guess I should have added "well made" to my list of demands! ;)

Columbine: I checked out ebay and almost fell over at the prices. I can buy dept. store stuff for cheaper, AND be able to try it on!

Joycenalex: No consignment shops around here for plus-sized women.... I sure wish there was!

ES: I had no idea Coldwater Creek had plus sizes! I love their stuff!

Karen: would men's shirts really fit me? I'm rather... ahem..... endowed. I saw some gorgeous shirts in the mens clearance the other day as I was looking for the women's dept!

Thanks so much everyone for the ideas! Keep 'em coming!

[Freedom]

You are fortunate that you can wear slacks to your type of work. Once you find a pair and size you like, get a couple pair, maybe two different colors. Then you just switch around the tops, sweaters (short sleeve ones, for the heat in the place!) use accessories to change the look.

Maybe even get a few solid color short sleeve knit T's, and put something over them for a dressier work look. Scarf at the top; lacy knit shawl. If that is your style. Prowl the clearance racks at Kohl's too!

[Pembroke_Corgi]

Hmmm, I was going to suggest going to some good consignment stores (where I do most of my shopping!) but I guess if they are no good there are other places to try. Kohls has lots of pretty inexpensive stuff to begin with, plus they often have racks that are 50-80% off.

Also, Dillards usually has good sales, and they have racks of clothes that are 75% off. They carry some nice things. Sometimes you can find some nice things at Target, too. I like their t-shirts and such for layering with. They have sale racks, as well! Good luck, and happy shopping! :D

[jazzcat]

Coldwater Creek has some incredible buys in their on-line clearance...and lots of plus sizes....
Yep and here is a code for 40% off your entire purchase. It's good for the stuff in the outlet too.
WLP1225 valid until 4-8-2007 (it could be pulled sooner)

I found some great deals at Ross last week and also a few at Kohls, I love Kohls.

[moosmom]

I've found if you buy a couple of pair of slacks, a bunch of tank tops and blazers, you can kind of mix and match. I found, when I was a lot bigger than I am now (post Michigan went from a size 18 to a size 12) and my hot flashes were more troublesome that it is now, I'd dress in layers. There's nothing worse than being hot and sweaty and not be able to lighten the load a little.

[Blue_Frog]

I don't know a lot about the shops in the US or in PA (unless its' something near Bristol or Philly since i travelled there a lot for my last job), but heres some links to some outlet stuff .. i'm all about the outlet stores! And you can usually find lots of stuff fairly inexpensively.

http://www.couponcabin.com/malls/pennsylvania/

http://www.outletbound.com/usa50.html (click on your state)

http://www.shoppinginpa.com/shoppinginpa/Bargains.do?page=woolrich

Cheers, and Happy Shopping!

[Lobodeb]

www.lanebryantcatalog.com, www.roamans.com, www.jessicalondon.com

All three have decent not tentlike plus size clothing, most of it is nicely made, (although I have gotten a few things from there that left a little to be desired), very reasonably priced. But the best thing of all? DEFERRED BILLING!!!!! You can load up now, get the stuff you need now and not pay for 90 days!!!! :eek: :D :eek: :D

Also try avenue.com, and lanebryant.com. Avenue has nice professional clothes, but the prices are just at the beginning of the high side. If you go to lanebryant, check their website for their gift cheques. If you buy $100 worth of clothes, they will give you a $25 cheque so in essence, you're only paying $75. They're also on the pricier side, but with their gift cheques, it helps. Very good quality too.

[Randi]

I don't know many of the shops in the US, but I'd go for a few quality items which you use with various other things - think color! What will go with everything else you have?

Personally, I would not dare buy clothes online, I want to try it on!

How about looking for a good second hand store? They often have good quality clothes for cheap prices. I got a pair a black Cerruti 1881 jeans I really like, I want more!! I almost want to write to the company to ask where they are sold.

[Karen]

Yes, Catnapper, that's why you try on the men's shirts until you find what size clears and buttons nicely (no gap-osis) across your chest, then you can easily tailor underneath (adding darts) to accentuate the fact that, as a girl, you have curves! ;)

[catnapper]

Oh boy.... lots of great ideas! I wish we had a Kohl's nearby. The closest is 45 minutes away and at $2.60 a gallon for gas, I'm not driving that far! LOL

I suddenly remembered about Burlington Coat Factory this afternoon so I drove by and bought a top..... talk about wardrobe makeover! TOTALY different than anything I ever bought! Its black, white, and tan satin fabric with graphic animal-type stripes (I'm gonna start looking more and more like my tabbies!), I'm totally in love with this blouse and wish like crazy that it also came in a few solids, because I would have bought every color if it did! I did see a VERY similar top at Lane Bryant yesterday in solid colors, but they were $19.99 each. Drat. Debbie, care to share one of those checks? ;)

I also checked out Goodwill again.... I found myself saying "ooooh, I love this! I wonder if they have it in my size" oops! :p

PS: I thought I might mention that someone from freecycle was offering my size office casual clothes and she offered them to me. I responded to her offer and then nothing came of it. Phooey. BUT I'm going to pick up shoes from another freecycler tomorrow. She said its a big bag of miscellaneous shoes but most of them are business-like and in great shape.

[Craftlady]

Walmart had in ladies department, v neck cotton/knit shirts (t-shirt) (didnt stop to touch/feel) LOL for $4.88 something close to that price. Loads of colors.

[shais_mom]

Thanks guys!

I hate Fashion Bug -- that stuff is cheaply made and never fits me right. I guess I should have added "well made" to my list of demands! ;)




Most of my clothes come from Fashion Bug and the only "problem" I ran into was a tank top I bought last summer and it had glitter/sparkly things on it and they fell off in the wash after several washings. And that would have happened regardless of where I bought it - or how I washed it.
Rarely can I leave from there without something in my bag.... :)
I love Lane Bryant also but their clothes are way more $$$$.

[Lobodeb]

I did see a VERY similar top at Lane Bryant yesterday in solid colors, but they were $19.99 each. Drat. Debbie, care to share one of those checks? ;)

I get them all the time, so when I do receive one, I'll let you know.

Also, what size shoe do you wear? I have some that no longer fit me if you're interested.

[pitc9]

There are shops on EBAY just for plus size.
And they are GREAT!!!

I love Layne Bryant, Fashion Bug and Target. Target never has a lot of selection in my department... but what they have there is always cute and it's priced to high either!

[Lobodeb]

Hey Kim!

I just received one of those gift cheques that I was telling you about. It's $50 off a purchase of $150 or more, $25 of a purchase of $75 or more, or $75 off a purchase of $225 or more.

Ya want it?

[cyber-sibes]

Do you have a C.J. Banks anywhere close enough to drive? I worked at ours here for 3 1/2 years. You would be AMAZED at how low the prices go on things near the end of a season. They keep marking them down till they hit 2.98, some go to .99. Considering these are great clothes (good materials, stylish, well made) and fairly pricey when they first hit the racks, you just can't beat the bargins. We always had a good selection of things in the 9.99, 6.99, 4.99. range. I still wear clothes I bought from them 6 & 7 years ago, they're very well made.

You mentioned Burlington - I loved shopping there when my kids were small, I could actually afford to buy myself new things too! My winter coat is going strong - I paid $35 at Burlington's for it 12 years ago!

[NoahsMommy]

Kim,

I've actually found some rather cute items at stores like Old Navy, Target, Walmart and Kohl's. They ALL have business atire sections and when on sale, are even MORE reasonable. They ALL have plus-size sections and tend to stay with the trends and also have more classic styles too!

Shockingly, Old Navy carries all that too. I really like their "professional" section and they go all the way up to 3X. When the sales hit - GREAT prices!

Kohl's is a lot like Mervyns or Sears - they have the same sections (professional, plus-size) and when they have sales, which is almost always, especially with Easter/Passover/Spring going on now.

Target and Walmart have the sections you need and keep up with the trendy and the classics. Their stuff is much better made than places like Dress Barn, Fashion 2000, Fashion Bug, etc.

Lots of luck! It just takes a bit of creative looking and the time to go through the sale/clearance rack. If you don't have the patience for it, make it a game. See how MUCH you can save and how many ITEMS you can get for your budget. Its kind of fun.

When I got my very brief job at Cedars Sinai, I had to quickly get a professional wardrobe as I had a uniform at the Hospital and scrubs at my other jobs. But, without a job, I had zero funds.

Mom and I went to Old Navy, Target, Macy's and Lane Bryant and got a ton of stuff on sale! Everything I found at Macy's was very well made and ON SALE!! I got the best stuff there! At Target I got a lot too...and all on sale. We went to Lane Bryant for some dark brown pants - as I couldn't find what I wanted at the other three places and found some nice pants on sale, again!! Its fun to see how much you can get for your budget - and most importantly, looking GREAT with your finds!

I can't wait to see how you did. Let us know.

Hugs, Kelly :D

Oh, btw! A good idea to make your wardrobe stretch is to get some classic pieces and then add to them so that you wear something new each day. Ex: I got 1 pair of black pants, 1 black skirt, 1 pair of gray pants, 1 pair of tan pants, 1 brown pair of pants, etc. - then you wear those bottoms and add the different shirts - that way you could wear a new shirt/top and have a new outfit each day! You get more shirts once you have your staple of bottoms. Does that make sense??