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Good places for inexpensive business casual clothes?

dragonfly411

dragonfly411

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jun 25, 2007
Messages
7,378
I am now driving for work, vs being in an office with no visitors. I go to dental offices all day, every day. I feel extremely under dressed. Most of what I own is jeans and t-shirts. I do have a pencil skirt, and a few shirts, and a pair of black pants, but I also am driving... so I need to be somewhat comfortable. I.E. No pencil skirt. I need to find some inexpensive business casual clothes. Does anyone have any good places or ideas? Also, if you see any individual items you might share? I'm sure more than one of us would be interested.
 
Have you tried consignment shops or even yardsales? Of course, you need to be in a mood to pick through things, but yu can get a TON of stuff (and nice quality) for cheap! Just last weekend we went to a large yad sale/flea market thingy at a fairgrounds near my house and I scored a TON of awesome stuff. One example, I got a fabulous Dooney and Burke purse (Ill try to take a picture) for $15 (the real thing) and a few silk camisoles from J Crew and Express for about $2-3 each. I also got a really cute cashmire sweater form express for $5. To the yard sale community that would be 'expensive' lol...of course, you need to thoroughly clean everything you purchase, but I find some awesome pieces and a lot of vintage for way cheap.

Also, check Target! They're cheap and comfy and you can get jersey dresses or just some camis and cardigans that last! Good luck!
 
I do plan to go to the local consignment shops. I don't generally get out early enough to make it to yard sales around here lol but it might be an idea. No local to me flea markets though :( ESP not quality ones. I do plan to visit TJ maxx and Ross.
 
Do you have an NY&Co near where you live? They have cute business clothes and awesome sales. Also, go to a Gap or Banana Republic and look at their sale racks.
 
Ann Taylor LOFT is awesome, too. Just don't ever buy anything full price there! They run sales so often it's insane!
 
My mother says Ross is "the best!" I haven't been yet but plan to soon.

I've had some luck with Macy's. They have some really nice quality stuff that lasts and is inexpensive (if bought on sale!!). One nice thing with Macy's is that you can order from their online clearance section, try stuff on at home, and if you don't like it just take it back to the store (or ship it, but that has a delay in refund). They are hit or miss so don't just assume that it will be nice and last. I usually buy one (or two if the price is right) of a few different brands/styles so that I can see how they compare to each other with washing & wearing.
 
What is your expectation of "inexpensive"?

My work pants (I'm in an office) are from Macy's @ 29.98. I have a dozen pairs, like 2 in every color. They are professional without being too frou-frou.

Otherwise, my wardrobe is all over the place: Wal-mart, Target, CATO, Ross, Old Navy, Maurice's being the most reasonably priced. I'm wearing gray pants from Macy's, a top from Ross, and a cardigan from Maurice's right now. And sandals from Target. I look professional enough but still very Casual Friday-ish.

If you need to look very corporate without spending $$$, then I would find some consignment stores.
 
What about Nordstrom Rack?
 
NY & Co is my favorite place to shop for inexpensive work clothes. I have their credit card so they send me lots of coupons. I like Express too but they are a tad pricier. Check the sale racks at Macys too.
 
Here is a picture of my D&B purse. Sorry it's a little squishy; I took the picture with it on my lap in the car :)

DB.jpg
 
Clearance racks at places like Marshalls or TJ Max. Loehmanns clearance can be excellent as well.

The clearance racks at Ann Taylor can be good to when there are extra discounts off clearance prices.

I also like some of the pants at The Limited.

But not much beats those clearance racks at the discount shops. Name brands at low low prices. $10 or so for pants and even less for tops sometimes! When Loehmann's has a 60 or 70% off clearance (sometimes I've seen 80%) I get out of there for about $5 a piece on average.
 
I get most of my work wardrobe at Marshall's and Macy's clearance racks. I also have a bit from Loehman's clearance racks, but they're carrying fewer high end labels and more junior stuff these days, so most of my Loehman's stuff is "vintage."

I've found "no iron cottons" at both Talbot's and Brooks Brothers that really live up to the name. They're pretty expensive if you buy them full-price, but of course I didn't - I got the Talbot's shirts on clearance and the BB chinos at their outlet store. The good no-wrinkle cotton cost a bit more, but given the nature of your job, it might be a worthwhile investment. I think you can also get the shirts at Eddie Bauer outlets stores.

It might be worth your while to plan an excursion to a good outlet center!

ETA ditto amc and stargurl re NY&Co. Very reasonable quality for the price!
 
Stacey - LOVE your purse!!!!

Locally we have one mall that has Macy's, Dillards, Sears, Pennys and Belk. It has a Loft (though they keep going back and forth about closing), Body Central, Wet Seal, Hollister, American Eagle, Guess, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Cold Water Creek, The Limited... that's mostly it. We do have a Talbots, and a Chicos. We have Target, Ross and TJ Maxx. I won't go to our Bealls outlets or Wal Marts b/c they are very dirty. We have some little designer boutique type stores locally but they tend to be pricier. I'm trying to keep individual pieces under 40, with emphasis on lower prices lol! We have one very nice local consignment shop and our Good Will is ok. I don't mind looking online either, just I have to make it worth my while in terms of having to pay shipping on stuff lol. I won't buy one 5 dollar shirt just to pay 7 in shipping you know? Bear in mind, I'm pretty petite, so places that have clothes that run large are also a challenge. I fit Junior smalls and x-smalls.
 
Marshall's, Ross, etc., for sure.

I've bought quite a few items from Eddie Bauer over the years. As others said, the no-iron shirts are really useful. They look crisp without the hassle. I usually buy online from Eddie Bauer because they have pettites, etc., which I can't guarantee in a store. I usually go to eddiebaueroutlet.com to check for bargains, too.

While many of their clothes are horrible, I've bought quite a few pants from Chadwick's over the years. The work pants need no ironing and last quite a long time (and only cost around $40). A lot of the other stuff they sell is junky, though. I'm embarrassed to admit I shop there, to be honest.
 
I usually have good luck at Macy's and Kohl's. I wear mostly black pants and khakis at work and those two stores always seem to have good prices (and their merchandise is good quality). So do Marshall's, TJ Maxx, and Ross, but I personally have a hard time sifting through many of their clothes to find something I like and something that's made well. Could be just me though...
 
I'm a Banana Republic Outlet or Ann Taylor Loft type of girl, but I never buy anything full price, I always shop in the clearance rack at a outlet!

Anyways, one of the things you can do is to buy a cute/bright tailored blazer that you can throw on over a black jersey dress. You can wear the blazer in the dentist office, but switch to a cardigan or something while driving.

I'm one of those people who hates tailored shirts, so I wear a lot of twin sets. My dress pants are not super expensive tailored pants, I usually get them on sale at Express or the Limited.
 
I agree with the stores others have mentioned and would add Burlington Coat Factory. They carry more than just coats.

I love thrift, consignment and outlet shopping, too. Someone mentioned Chadwicks. I have some decent items from Chadwicks, but have also returned a few things I ordered based on poor quality or fit. Since it's hit or miss, I don't order often because I don't like to pay for postage and return postage. Ann Taylor LOFT is good if on sale. Also, LOFT has a lot of dresses that don't require dry cleaning. I'll consider paying full price for those since they hold up well and I won't have the dry cleaning expense. Fox's and Stein Mart are also good off-price places.
 
DF, I would invest in a good structured jacket like this one:

http://www.loft.com/loft/product/LOFT-Apparel/LOFT-Suits/Cotton-Sateen-Suit-Jacket/276765?colorExplode=false&skuId=10963197&catid=catl000018&productPageType=fullPriceProducts&defaultColor=6600

and get yourself 2-3 pairs of coordinating pants, another pencil skirt, and a couple of colorful blouses. Do you have a nice pair of black heels? If not, find a good quality pair like Nine West or something on clearance at one of the mall department stores or TJ Maxx. Shoes will probably run you about $40. Express is always running sales; right now it's something like $50 off when you spend $200.

You seriously need the jacket as your foundation piece--you will look professional, and you can wear it with jeans and heels for other events or activities.
 
Outlets where there are sales. Talbots, Ann Taylor's Outlet, J crew and Banana Republic are the best. My favorite personally is Nordstrom Rack but it's not as inexpensive as the other's I listed.
 
If you know your size, Ebay is a great resource for clothing. JcPenny also has some great basics and always seem to have good sales. Most of my business casual stuff is from the Loft and Gap sales rack. I find Ross/TJMAxx too frustrating to sift through but people seem to have good luck there. I also like Talbot's, Coldwater Creek and Eddie Bauer but the things have to be on sale.
 
I'm going to third (fourth?) New York and Company. Everything is usually "buy one get one half off" plus if you join their mailing list you get coupons for up to 50% off of that. I live in their pants, cardigans, and tops. I find it appropriate for my business casual law firm, but also cute and colorful!
 
Do they have an Ann Taylor Outlet? I bought a couple of suit jackets at the outlet. I also like JCPenny's and Dillard's for pants. I do have Ann Taylor pants but I found JCP cheaper and worked for me when I was between sizes. Best wishes!!! I do think Marshall's has great clothes if they have my size!
 
Do they have an Ann Taylor Outlet? I bought a couple of suit jackets at the outlet. I also like JCPenny's and Dillard's for pants. I do have Ann Taylor pants but I found JCP cheaper and worked for me when I was between sizes. Best wishes!!! I do think Marshall's has great clothes if they have my size!
 
Target if you like dresses. They always have a bunch available that can be thrown in the washing machine and hung to dry and they don't wrinkle. I drive a lot too and I love that when I get out of the car I don't look like a wrinkly mess! Not to mention they are pretty cheap!

I would also suggest Nordstrom for some basics, like maybe a nice black blazer that can dress up a lot of the dresses or maybe a solid sheath or great cardigan. They have a great return policy, even online, so if you don't like how it wears you can bring it back.

Also keep in mind, if you are not going to the same places every day, you can wear the same thing more often, just switching up when you ARE back in the same place.
 
I hate paying retail for clothing and shoes.

I like to shop at Ross and Burlington Coat Factory for sweaters, shirts and jackets. I buy my pants at JCP or NY&Co because they have to have at least 34" inseam. If you go once a paycheck or so and get things you like eventually you will have plenty. I also get frustrated when I need to buy jammies. From shopping at the discount stores I have mentioned I have a full jammies wardrobe for no more than $2 per item.

Shoes are my problem. I have paid $75 and $25 for dress shoes and the back of my right shoe always wears out from resting on the floor board while I am driving so I tend to buy cheap dress shoes since I know I will ruin them driving all the time and then I get to go shoe shopping more.
 
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