Where to buy affordable professional clothing that looks nice

[Anonymous]

Thank you everyone, I appreciate your kindness!

[Anonymous]

That’s great OP. Are you on a glp? Wondering how you’re confident you will lost 30 more pounds. I want to lose more than 30 myself so just curious.

[Anonymous]

NP. I've also lost weight this year, and hope to continue. It's interesting how sometimes it's not even the size, but the shape or cut of the clothing that needs to change.

Lately, skirts and dresses seem to be a better fit for me- if they're a little stretchy, now they're not as tight; if they're a little loose, a belt or other accessory can pull them together.

Also, I encourage you to try out more accessories during this transition. Even if you're rotating through the same few nice pieces that fit, you can look more polished and interesting with a variety of scarves, belts, bangles, etc.

I second the suggestion to shop second hand -- I go to Value Village on University BLVD at least once or twice a month! I always find at least one or two pieces without breaking the bank. And, I combine that with dropping off anything that no longer fits, and I get a coupon

[Anonymous]

There is also an Ann Taylor outlet at Potomac Mills, and the Nordstrom Rack at Potomac Mills tends to have professional clothing. Banana Republic Factory Stores also often have reasonably priced professional pants (including suiting separates); there's one at the Tanger outlets near National Harbor as well as other outlet malls. Ann Taylor outlet is not as affordable as it was in the past, but it still beats in-store pricing at AT and they have a lot of Petite options. Do not waste your time going to the Talbots outlet in Springfield VA; it has been disappointing for the last few years.

[Anonymous]

Ha, i was just going to suggest the Talbots clearance store in Springfield VA - it has been my secret sauce for many many years. It's not as good as it once was, though some of that has to do with Talbots not having the quality it once had. But still - in season stuff (from the year before) very cheap. And a big petites section. You have to look carefully, but they jsut sent an email 14.99 sweaters, 19.99 dresses, and an extra 20% off. Like any true outlet, you have to hunt and maybe go more than once. Stuff is constantly being unboxed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JC Penney is good for basics.

You're about to hit sale season - if you can hold out til right after Christmas there will be tons of super cheap clothing. Ann Taylor and Loft and Talbots seem to be struggling and stuff will be even cheaper in Jnaury.

What's your normal style? What do you need? Could you get by with two pairs of black pants and a handful of sweaters or tops with cardigans, or do you need suits/jackets?

I am 5'2 and petite XL. I have good luck at the outlet mall versions of Ann Taylor and Talbots. Those malls usually have a Loft as well.

Good luck.

OP here, I'm also 5'2" but whereas before I was an XL, now I am a large and some larges are too big. I'll check the Outlets in Leesburg and JC Penney as others have suggested. Thanks!

PP. The stores I mentioned do have smaller sizes in petite. I find that fits are proportionate as I gain and lose weight. You will have no trouble finding size M if there are Ls and XLs available of a particular piece.

Try Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda Petite Jeans. They are cheap and widely available. Kohls, Costco, Macy's. Online too. Buy a few sizes and return what doesn't work.

You can wear the black, khaki, and dark wash with ankle boots and some business looks.

BTW, I can afford more expensive clothes. I've just discovered that more expensive ones don't fit well - usually because they are for taller, proportionately skinnier types - and because the materials are usually fussier and more fragile. More drycleaning and not easy to remove stains from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is also an Ann Taylor outlet at Potomac Mills, and the Nordstrom Rack at Potomac Mills tends to have professional clothing. Banana Republic Factory Stores also often have reasonably priced professional pants (including suiting separates); there's one at the Tanger outlets near National Harbor as well as other outlet malls. Ann Taylor outlet is not as affordable as it was in the past, but it still beats in-store pricing at AT and they have a lot of Petite options. Do not waste your time going to the Talbots outlet in Springfield VA; it has been disappointing for the last few years.

Ann Taylor outlet merchandise is totally different from the mall store and I like it better. Better quality unless you consider fragile silks and rayons superior to something that can be drycleaned many times without losing color or body. I also think the styles are more "normal" and less fashion mag like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s great OP. Are you on a glp? Wondering how you’re confident you will lost 30 more pounds. I want to lose more than 30 myself so just curious.

Not OP but I lost 30 of the 40 I wanted to lose on a glp. Then I stalled, and stopped the drug. My weight has stayed stable now for over a year without it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is also an Ann Taylor outlet at Potomac Mills, and the Nordstrom Rack at Potomac Mills tends to have professional clothing. Banana Republic Factory Stores also often have reasonably priced professional pants (including suiting separates); there's one at the Tanger outlets near National Harbor as well as other outlet malls. Ann Taylor outlet is not as affordable as it was in the past, but it still beats in-store pricing at AT and they have a lot of Petite options. Do not waste your time going to the Talbots outlet in Springfield VA; it has been disappointing for the last few years.

Ann Taylor outlet merchandise is totally different from the mall store and I like it better. Better quality unless you consider fragile silks and rayons superior to something that can be drycleaned many times without losing color or body. I also think the styles are more "normal" and less fashion mag like.

Oh interesting! I've never bothered with outlets but if they carry better materials than what I'm seeing in all the mall stores these days, I might give it a try. After christmas of course. I hate all the various plastic fabrics. Like with a fiery passion.

[Anonymous]

Banana Republic Factory website is pretty good and you can get basics, always 50-60% off. I have a nice wool blazer that was $45 and pants are generally $35.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:JC Penny's for petite/ short sizes

OP said she wants clothes that look nice so Penne's out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Real Real has great brands like Theory for very cheap (literally $10 for some shift dresses)

Wow really?! I hadn’t used them before but might need to check this out.

[Anonymous]

I find Thred Up to be easier and cheaper than Poshmark. I can often find the same clothes that I loved in an XL/16 in a smaller size. Congrats your weight loss!

[Anonymous]

Quince has some nice work-appropriate stuff at good prices: https://www.quince.com/the-workwear-edit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is also an Ann Taylor outlet at Potomac Mills, and the Nordstrom Rack at Potomac Mills tends to have professional clothing. Banana Republic Factory Stores also often have reasonably priced professional pants (including suiting separates); there's one at the Tanger outlets near National Harbor as well as other outlet malls. Ann Taylor outlet is not as affordable as it was in the past, but it still beats in-store pricing at AT and they have a lot of Petite options. Do not waste your time going to the Talbots outlet in Springfield VA; it has been disappointing for the last few years.

Ann Taylor outlet merchandise is totally different from the mall store and I like it better. Better quality unless you consider fragile silks and rayons superior to something that can be drycleaned many times without losing color or body. I also think the styles are more "normal" and less fashion mag like.

Oh interesting! I've never bothered with outlets but if they carry better materials than what I'm seeing in all the mall stores these days, I might give it a try. After christmas of course. I hate all the various plastic fabrics. Like with a fiery passion.

We might differ on what is a better fabric. I don't mind synthetics because they often hold dye better and are more stain resistant. A polyester satin or polyester silk feel blouse will release stains such as sweat, food, and ink. A cotton/polyester or extremely high-quality 100% cotton blouse will do pretty well with food and ink stains. Sweat and deodorant tend to mess with dyes in 100% natural material shirts. Unfortunately, I find that more expensive silks and crayons are created and treated in ways that make them not very durable. Silk is a great durable material but a lot of chemicals are applied to (less than premium grade) silk to give it a smooth hand. Those chemicals are not very durable and make it more likely that spot removal and drycleaning will damage the garment.

Loft has very nice sweaters but they tend to be cheaply made so they pill easily. The worst quality sweater I've bought lately was from Nordstrom's. A chunky open-weave cotton-rayon blend. It was $90 at half off. It lost it's body before the first wash. And the drycleaner refused to handle it since it said hand wash only.

Most fabrics are worse now than in the 1980s.