Professional clothing for a 30-something female

[Anonymous]

I ve accepted the fact that I am now old enough that I spot at Talbots. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

+1 on Talbots. Also check out BodenUSA and Zara. You have more options in sizing with a higher quality brand than you do with Target or Gap, and I think that's important after a baby when people are often wearing clothes that are too big or two small.

Splurge a little on staple pieces like a good wrap dress, and a suit with a skirt (easier to adjust sizing later with a good tailor).

[Anonymous]

I have never made a purchase from Target, Ann Taylor Loft or the Limited that I did not regret. Their stuff just does not hold up well. I'm 90% Jcrew; 10% TJ Maxx.

[Anonymous]

What kind of job OP? And you don't need to think of it in terms of "outfits." Buy basic pieces that you can mix and match. Honestly, Target, H&M, NY&Co, Loft - it's all most crap that won't look good and you won't feel good in it. It will not wash well, it will fit oddly, you will have to keep buying new things season after season - and a dress at Target can still be $30. Spend just a bit more and you'll feel much better. Most of the stores that are a step up (BR, JCrew, Boden, etc.) have frequent discounts. Sign up for their emails and then pounce as soon as they have 25% or 40% off sales.

For a basic professional look - start out buying a couple of shift dresses (TJMaxx, Marshalls, or Nordstrom tend to have Calvin Klein shifts that are a nice thick material and that don't wrinkle - washable too). Get a couple of blazers or cardigans if that's more your thing from a better quality store as soon as they send out a discount. A nice pair of slacks, a couple of pencil skirts. A white button down shirt. Black pumps, nude pumps. Then a few scarves and necklaces to mix it up. You're not going to win any fashion awards, but you will look like a professional, put together person.

Even if you buy just one dress, one blazer, one cardigan, one white shirt, one pencil skirt, and one pair of slacks (nice quality on sale you can get for $50 a piece), you have the following outfits (add scarf or necklace) for $300. Mix up the scarves or necklaces (for these, do Target or Loft) and you can double the outfits! Makes it easy to get dressed in the morning too.

1. Shift dress and blazer
2. Shift dress and cardigan
3. Shift dress with white shirt underneath
4. Pencil skirt and white shirt
5. Pencil skirt and white shirt with blazer
6. Pencil skirt and white shirt with cardigan
7. Pencil skirt with cardigan buttoned up
8. Slacks with white shirt
9. Slacks and white shirt with blazer
10. Slacks and white shirt with cardigan
11. Slacks with cardigan buttoned up


Totally understand that you don't have time to go the mall. Not necessary. As soon as the coupon comes in your email, find an hour to get on the computer, find your basics and order everything you want in three sizes (warn your spouse that a huge bill is coming, but most of it will go back!). When it comes, spend another hour trying it all on, and immediately return the extras. Nordstrom, BR/Gap/Piperlime, and Zappos all have free return shipping too.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have never made a purchase from Target, Ann Taylor Loft or the Limited that I did not regret. Their stuff just does not hold up well. I'm 90% Jcrew; 10% TJ Maxx.

I'm 13:55 and this exactly. You buy something from one of those places - maybe you spend $30 on an item and you feel like you got a deal. But then it pills or stretches or falls apart in the wash, or you just don't feel great in it (because nothing is cut well or structured). It's a waste. Spend a bit more on nice stuff and you won't have to buy it twice.

[Anonymous]

If you don't have a lot of time, going to a dept. store like Macy's and using coupons is your best bet. I like Macy's Charter Club line for basics, but you can also find other brands like Jones NY, Liz Claiborne, etc. all in one place. I also get stuff at Kohl's, sticking with their "better" brands like Studio 212 and Chaps. The Croft and Barrow line is crap, and I'll only get Sonoma stuff for weekend wear (or for my kids!)

[Anonymous]

To the person living in PG County: TJ Maxx is opening next to PG Plaza this Sunday. (Oct 20th) They will probably have giveaways and special grand opening specials.

[Anonymous]

I love Banana Republic for basic pieces - I shop the outlets usually and get their email coupons which take 10 - 20% off.
My basic pieces are;
block colored shirts
block cardigans
black, grey and beige pants, skirts etc.

TJ Maxx has great shoes IMO

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What kind of job OP? And you don't need to think of it in terms of "outfits." Buy basic pieces that you can mix and match. Honestly, Target, H&M, NY&Co, Loft - it's all most crap that won't look good and you won't feel good in it. It will not wash well, it will fit oddly, you will have to keep buying new things season after season - and a dress at Target can still be $30. Spend just a bit more and you'll feel much better. Most of the stores that are a step up (BR, JCrew, Boden, etc.) have frequent discounts. Sign up for their emails and then pounce as soon as they have 25% or 40% off sales.

For a basic professional look - start out buying a couple of shift dresses (TJMaxx, Marshalls, or Nordstrom tend to have Calvin Klein shifts that are a nice thick material and that don't wrinkle - washable too). Get a couple of blazers or cardigans if that's more your thing from a better quality store as soon as they send out a discount. A nice pair of slacks, a couple of pencil skirts. A white button down shirt. Black pumps, nude pumps. Then a few scarves and necklaces to mix it up. You're not going to win any fashion awards, but you will look like a professional, put together person.

Even if you buy just one dress, one blazer, one cardigan, one white shirt, one pencil skirt, and one pair of slacks (nice quality on sale you can get for $50 a piece), you have the following outfits (add scarf or necklace) for $300. Mix up the scarves or necklaces (for these, do Target or Loft) and you can double the outfits! Makes it easy to get dressed in the morning too.

1. Shift dress and blazer
2. Shift dress and cardigan
3. Shift dress with white shirt underneath
4. Pencil skirt and white shirt
5. Pencil skirt and white shirt with blazer
6. Pencil skirt and white shirt with cardigan
7. Pencil skirt with cardigan buttoned up
8. Slacks with white shirt
9. Slacks and white shirt with blazer
10. Slacks and white shirt with cardigan
11. Slacks with cardigan buttoned up


Totally understand that you don't have time to go the mall. Not necessary. As soon as the coupon comes in your email, find an hour to get on the computer, find your basics and order everything you want in three sizes (warn your spouse that a huge bill is coming, but most of it will go back!). When it comes, spend another hour trying it all on, and immediately return the extras. Nordstrom, BR/Gap/Piperlime, and Zappos all have free return shipping too.

Good luck!

The PP above gave great advice. Spend the bulk of your money on the basic pieces she mentioned. You can mix up the shirt colors, get one white, one light pink and one light blue for example. You can get by with two trousers one heather grey and one black. Buy the best quality you can afford for the basics then add in fun pieces from H&M and target (scarves, belts, etc) to mix it up. Same with shoes, a couple of decent pairs of dress shoes will serve you better than 10 pairs from Target in the long run. You can have some fun with cardigans too. If you sign up Talbots email list they often send you 30% off and free shipping, they are a good place for cardigans and belts and this fall they have some decent looking shoes that are fun but won't break your budget. I like Talbots pants for good basic, go to pants for work. They have a variety of fits so you should find something that works for you. The key is getting the basics the PP mentioned to give you something to work from. Lord and Taylor and Macys almost always have 2 piece skirt and pant suits on sale and often have extra coupons. You can often pick up a suit for around $100. Grab a couple of those to put in the mix and you should be pretty set without breaking the bank.

[Anonymous]

Boden catalogue when there are sales

[Anonymous]

I have to disagree with people about Boden. I like their styles and do shop there, but have had issues with longevity of clothes. I like to buy good quality clothes and wear them forever -- Boden is the exception. Most things from there have pilled or gotten holes in them after 1-2 seasons of wear.

I think many of the brands of clothes out there do not hold up very well after a couple seasons, so if you're on a tight budget, I would definitely explore Target and H&M.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to disagree with people about Boden. I like their styles and do shop there, but have had issues with longevity of clothes. I like to buy good quality clothes and wear them forever -- Boden is the exception. Most things from there have pilled or gotten holes in them after 1-2 seasons of wear.

I think many of the brands of clothes out there do not hold up very well after a couple seasons, so if you're on a tight budget, I would definitely explore Target and H&M.

Target and H&M might be fine if your office is not very dressy. However their clothes look, feel and wear cheap. They sell disposable clothing. That's fine, but I wouldn't try to convince OP that she's buying clothes that will hold up. You can get better for the money if you shop sales and use coupons at places like Lord and Taylor and Bloomingdale's.

[Anonymous]

Rue La La. Check it often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I ve accepted the fact that I am now old enough that I spot at Talbots. Sigh.

For those of you who don't already know, there is a Talbots Outlet just off of I95 in Springfield!

[Anonymous]

Is a pole part of the employment experience or not ???