Anonymous
12/04/2025 07:03
Subject: Re:Where to buy affordable professional clothing that looks nice
Anonymous wrote:Poshmark, EBay. Don't be shy about offering less than list price.
I had the same problem, OP. I lost 70 pounds and needed two rounds of 'in between' wardrobe shopping.
If you have tried and true wardrobe staples you have liked in the past you can literally buy the exact same thing in a smaller size. You can search for something specific (i.e. Boden Ottoman dress, navy, size 8) or more generally (burgundy wool coat, size 8).
Alternatively, figure out one or two brands where you know your size (maybe JCrew and Banana Republic, both of which have petite sizes) and buy some basics to tide you over. Consider which styles will be most useful as you drop weight. Wrap dresses are great for this.
Thank you for these tips!!
Anonymous
12/04/2025 07:02
Subject: Where to buy affordable professional clothing that looks nice
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!
Anonymous
12/04/2025 07:00
Subject: Where to buy affordable professional clothing that looks nice
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?
Good question - I can get by with black pants and sweaters/blouses. I have a black blazer that fits from before I gained weight but I guess I only kept one pair of pants and they are patterned so I can't wear them every day. I don't know what I was thinking!
Anonymous
12/04/2025 06:58
Subject: Where to buy affordable professional clothing that looks nice
Anonymous wrote:Are they big all over? or just the waist? You can pin the waist, that's what I did at this stage.
Anyway, try jC Penny's and similar for cheap basics.
Big all over - everything looks so baggy.
Anonymous
12/04/2025 06:27
Subject: Where to buy affordable professional clothing that looks nice
The Real Real has great brands like Theory for very cheap (literally $10 for some shift dresses)
Anonymous
12/04/2025 04:08
Subject: Where to buy affordable professional clothing that looks nice
Fortunately, professional winter wardrobes aren’t terribly creative and you’re in straight sizing now. Banana Republic, J Crew, Ann Taylor all have petites and outlet stores. I’d get 2 pairs of pants in neutral colors and a few sweaters or other knits - buy them to fit snug (but not sausage snug) now and they’ll make their way toward comfortably oversized, as is the current style.
Anonymous
12/03/2025 21:34
Subject: Re:Where to buy affordable professional clothing that looks nice
Anonymous wrote:Poshmark, EBay. Don't be shy about offering less than list price.
I had the same problem, OP. I lost 70 pounds and needed two rounds of 'in between' wardrobe shopping.
If you have tried and true wardrobe staples you have liked in the past you can literally buy the exact same thing in a smaller size. You can search for something specific (i.e. Boden Ottoman dress, navy, size 8) or more generally (burgundy wool coat, size 8).
Alternatively, figure out one or two brands where you know your size (maybe JCrew and Banana Republic, both of which have petite sizes) and buy some basics to tide you over. Consider which styles will be most useful as you drop weight. Wrap dresses are great for this.
This is exactly what I did. Found my old favorites on Ebay or Poshmark in a smaller size. Filled in with Jcrew on major sale and stuff from a few other places.
Anonymous
12/03/2025 21:08
Subject: Re:Where to buy affordable professional clothing that looks nice
Poshmark, EBay. Don't be shy about offering less than list price.
I had the same problem, OP. I lost 70 pounds and needed two rounds of 'in between' wardrobe shopping.
If you have tried and true wardrobe staples you have liked in the past you can literally buy the exact same thing in a smaller size. You can search for something specific (i.e. Boden Ottoman dress, navy, size 8) or more generally (burgundy wool coat, size 8).
Alternatively, figure out one or two brands where you know your size (maybe JCrew and Banana Republic, both of which have petite sizes) and buy some basics to tide you over. Consider which styles will be most useful as you drop weight. Wrap dresses are great for this.
I had the same problem, OP. I lost 70 pounds and needed two rounds of 'in between' wardrobe shopping.
If you have tried and true wardrobe staples you have liked in the past you can literally buy the exact same thing in a smaller size. You can search for something specific (i.e. Boden Ottoman dress, navy, size 8) or more generally (burgundy wool coat, size 8).
Alternatively, figure out one or two brands where you know your size (maybe JCrew and Banana Republic, both of which have petite sizes) and buy some basics to tide you over. Consider which styles will be most useful as you drop weight. Wrap dresses are great for this.
Anonymous
12/03/2025 20:32
Subject: Where to buy affordable professional clothing that looks nice
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.
Anonymous
12/03/2025 19:47
Subject: Where to buy affordable professional clothing that looks nice
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?
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?
Anonymous
12/03/2025 19:33
Subject: Where to buy affordable professional clothing that looks nice
JC Penny's for petite/ short sizes
Anonymous
12/03/2025 19:28
Subject: Where to buy affordable professional clothing that looks nice
Go to Value Village/Unique Thrift in White Oak (29 and the Beltway). It's 2 stores next to each other, bring leggings (there are no dressing rooms). I promise you will find clothes, brand name, and incredibly inexpensive
Anonymous
12/03/2025 19:27
Subject: Where to buy affordable professional clothing that looks nice
I used ThreadUp a lot for the opposite problem (put on weight that I hope to lose so don't want to invest too much.) You can search by petites and also specify brand. I've had good outcomes but you have to learn how to play the frequent sales to make it a real bargain.
Anonymous
12/03/2025 19:26
Subject: Where to buy affordable professional clothing that looks nice
Are they big all over? or just the waist? You can pin the waist, that's what I did at this stage.
Anyway, try jC Penny's and similar for cheap basics.
Anyway, try jC Penny's and similar for cheap basics.
Anonymous
12/03/2025 19:22
Subject: Where to buy affordable professional clothing that looks nice
I have lost 30lbs with 30 more to go. My clothes had been too tight at my heaviest, so they were looking fine up until yesterday when a pair literally slid off. Everything I own (except a couple dresses) is just too baggy. I need stop gap clothes - where can I spend as small amount of money as possible on clothes that don't have to be good quality but have to look nice for the next 6-12 months until I lose the rest of the weight?
I have looked in thrift stores and consignment shops and there is nothing for my short size 10/12 body.
I have looked in thrift stores and consignment shops and there is nothing for my short size 10/12 body.