Help -- wardrobe makeover please!

[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!

[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/shopping...?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!!!!

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!

[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

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??