need work clothes--where to buy??

jhazn85 · Jul 14th, 2008, 08:57 PM

i need advice--i've just finished grad school and am now on the search for a job (yay for the awesome economy). i need WORK CLOTHES!!! where do you girls get all your suits for work?? i'm really bad at this. right now i'm getting suits from J. Crew just for interviews but i really don't know where else to buy them. i want good-quality suits that would last a long time, but my budget per suit is definitely $350 or less per suit. help!!!

luckyblonde3295 · Jul 14th, 2008, 09:08 PM

I really like BCBG and Nanette Lepore for suits, etc. They can be kind of expensive, but the sales are great :)

daisyduke947 · Jul 14th, 2008, 09:56 PM

I personally love Theory, but it's SO expensive. You can call the Theory outlet at Woodbury Commons...those ladies are wonderful. They will ship (no tax) as much as you can fit into one of FedEx's large boxes for only $15, no matter how expensive everything is. If it still fits into the box, it's still $15. The prices are really great at the outlet. I would save 100 dollars on pants.
BCBG is nice too, so is Nanette Lepore, but it's a bit more expensive. Banana Republic has some nice suits.

luckygirl83 · Jul 15th, 2008, 01:19 AM

I think there is a Theory sample sale in the next few weeks in NY. Maybe you can check that out? It's at clothingline. I got some nice trousers for $99 a few months ago.

Snowqueen! · Jul 15th, 2008, 08:02 AM

What kind of job are you pursuing? Unless you are in law or finance, you might not need that many suits. I would definitely not buy more than two for now.

You will be able to use skirts and pant purchased with suits with blouses and sweaters to dress down.

I like J Crew, Banana Republic and Ann Taylor, for moderately priced, great pieces.

Snowqueen! · Jul 15th, 2008, 08:03 AM

By the way, make sure you get a great bag and shoes (do I really need to say that on this forum?). I can't tell you how many people I have interviewed with worn out, scuffed shoes.

CivicGirl · Jul 15th, 2008, 09:48 AM

A cheaper alternative would be suits from Express. Personally I love their Editor pants line, and there are many matching jackets as well.

HermesNewbie · Jul 15th, 2008, 09:51 AM

Congrats on finishing grad school! Ann Taylor is great for work clothes. Their clothes are classic, yet stylish and very affordable.

Good luck with your job search!

lcterp · Jul 15th, 2008, 10:05 AM

Also try Filene's. They generally have Theory (which I love!) marked down a decent amount and some others like Tahari.

loserxstar · Jul 15th, 2008, 10:33 AM

banana republic has some nice stuff sometimes. gap also has some casual suits every now and then. some of express' suits are more on the "sexy" side in my opinion, and not all of them are suitable in a very conservative environment.

pursewatch · Jul 15th, 2008, 02:02 PM

I bought all my suits from Banana Republic.

lunatwinkle · Jul 15th, 2008, 03:27 PM

I really like suits from Express. But one of my college roomies said that the Express suits are not formal enough (they're more trendy and fashionable, like how the blazers are fitting and allow your shirt to peek out a little on the bottom...I hope I'm making sense.) and should be worn AFTER you got the job, not for the interview.

But I'm small and short at 5'2'', so the Express suits are just fine for me. Everything else sort of drowns me.

couturequeen · Jul 15th, 2008, 08:32 PM

Theory, Tahari and J-Crew are the best IMO. Classic and professional.

coronita · Jul 15th, 2008, 09:25 PM

If you are just interviewing, I'd start of with one or two suits. You don't know if you'll be wearing suits daily as part of your job.

Melanie · Jul 15th, 2008, 09:29 PM

I am a fan of Banana Republic and The Limited for work clothing

Jul 14th, 2008, 08:57 PM	#1
jhazn85 Member Joined: Jan 2007 Location: New York Posts: 414	need work clothes--where to buy?? i need advice--i've just finished grad school and am now on the search for a job (yay for the awesome economy). i need WORK CLOTHES!!! where do you girls get all your suits for work?? i'm really bad at this. right now i'm getting suits from J. Crew just for interviews but i really don't know where else to buy them. i want good-quality suits that would last a long time, but my budget per suit is definitely $350 or less per suit. help!!!

Jul 14th, 2008, 09:08 PM	#2
luckyblonde3295 Member Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 920	I really like BCBG and Nanette Lepore for suits, etc. They can be kind of expensive, but the sales are great :) __________________ Gucci = Love Wishlist: Gucci Fall 2008 boots Gucci Babouska medium tote Gucci white tapestry Hysteria Gucci Cruise 2009 fringe wedges Gucci Cruise 2009 mini-dress

Jul 15th, 2008, 09:51 AM	#8
HermesNewbie Shopaholic! Joined: Jun 2008 Location: In the mall! Posts: 224	Congrats on finishing grad school! Ann Taylor is great for work clothes. Their clothes are classic, yet stylish and very affordable. Good luck with your job search! Last edited by HermesNewbie; Jul 15th, 2008 at 10:07 AM.

Jul 15th, 2008, 10:05 AM	#9
lcterp La bella vita Joined: May 2007 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 852	Also try Filene's. They generally have Theory (which I love!) marked down a decent amount and some others like Tahari. __________________ Terp Grad '07 Pitt Law '10

Jul 15th, 2008, 10:33 AM	#10
loserxstar Member Joined: Jul 2006 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 726	banana republic has some nice stuff sometimes. gap also has some casual suits every now and then. some of express' suits are more on the "sexy" side in my opinion, and not all of them are suitable in a very conservative environment. __________________ Denise

Jul 14th, 2008, 09:56 PM	#3
daisyduke947 Member Joined: May 2007 Posts: 3,079	I personally love Theory, but it's SO expensive. You can call the Theory outlet at Woodbury Commons...those ladies are wonderful. They will ship (no tax) as much as you can fit into one of FedEx's large boxes for only $15, no matter how expensive everything is. If it still fits into the box, it's still $15. The prices are really great at the outlet. I would save 100 dollars on pants. BCBG is nice too, so is Nanette Lepore, but it's a bit more expensive. Banana Republic has some nice suits.

Jul 15th, 2008, 01:19 AM	#4
luckygirl83 Member Joined: May 2008 Location: New York City Posts: 278	I think there is a Theory sample sale in the next few weeks in NY. Maybe you can check that out? It's at clothingline. I got some nice trousers for $99 a few months ago.

Jul 15th, 2008, 08:02 AM	#5
Snowqueen! Member Joined: May 2008 Location: The Sunshine State Posts: 195	What kind of job are you pursuing? Unless you are in law or finance, you might not need that many suits. I would definitely not buy more than two for now. You will be able to use skirts and pant purchased with suits with blouses and sweaters to dress down. I like J Crew, Banana Republic and Ann Taylor, for moderately priced, great pieces.

Jul 15th, 2008, 08:03 AM	#6
Snowqueen! Member Joined: May 2008 Location: The Sunshine State Posts: 195	By the way, make sure you get a great bag and shoes (do I really need to say that on this forum?). I can't tell you how many people I have interviewed with worn out, scuffed shoes.

Jul 15th, 2008, 09:48 AM	#7
CivicGirl wahoowa Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 152	A cheaper alternative would be suits from Express. Personally I love their Editor pants line, and there are many matching jackets as well.

Jul 15th, 2008, 02:02 PM	#11
pursewatch I Hate Counterfeits! Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Urban Jungle Posts: 909	I bought all my suits from Banana Republic. __________________ I my hubby.

Jul 15th, 2008, 03:27 PM	#12
lunatwinkle Nicole <3 tPF! Joined: Nov 2006 Location: SF Bay Area, California Posts: 3,325	I really like suits from Express. But one of my college roomies said that the Express suits are not formal enough (they're more trendy and fashionable, like how the blazers are fitting and allow your shirt to peek out a little on the bottom...I hope I'm making sense.) and should be worn AFTER you got the job, not for the interview. But I'm small and short at 5'2'', so the Express suits are just fine for me. Everything else sort of drowns me. __________________ MY LOVELIES: Coach Hamptons Weekend Scarf Print Pouch Coach Legacy Straw Tote Coach Signature Gallery Tote Gryson for Target Black Patent Woven Bag w/ Cutout Handles Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Mini in Wine Rebecca Minkoff No Strings Clutch in Pewter/Eggplant Click on my profile to view my small but well-loved handbag collection!

Jul 15th, 2008, 08:32 PM	#13
couturequeen addict Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,077	Theory, Tahari and J-Crew are the best IMO. Classic and professional. __________________ My updated collection pictures are here. Wishlist Diamond halo stud earrings Bedat No. 7 watch

Jul 15th, 2008, 09:25 PM	#14
coronita Member Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 92	If you are just interviewing, I'd start of with one or two suits. You don't know if you'll be wearing suits daily as part of your job. __________________

Jul 15th, 2008, 09:29 PM	#15
Melanie Compulsive Shopper! Joined: Sep 2006 Location: CT Posts: 879	I am a fan of Banana Republic and The Limited for work clothing __________________ Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination. ~Oscar Wilde