Ladies: Where to shop for larger-size stylish business clothing?

[crispini]

Ye cats, I'm in a 16 and I have to shop. Ugh! Figure I just need to go straight for the "large" stores and cut out the hassle. I need cute, stylish, professional clothing. Your store recommendations and advice are GREATLY appreciated. :hi:

[supernova]

1. I really like Chico's

Spendy but the pieces wear well, travel well, and always look good on you. I have a whole mini work wardrobe from there and I love the stuff. And somehow it doesn't matter what size you are. They cut things that a plump person and a skinny person can wear.

There's also Lane Bryant, and one other that I can't think of right now.

http://www.chicos.com/store/home.jsp

[crispini]

2. Thanks!

I seriously dislike shopping, but I think if I just go to a store that (heaven forbid) has stuff that fits me, I'll be good. I am where I am right now, and that's not going to change overnight, but I need to look good NOW. :)

[justabob]

11. I second Chico's

It is a little expensive, but they usually have good stuff on the Sale racks. I've gotten several nice things for 40-50% off. Their cuts are nice and they do fit well.


Congrats to you! I hope the offer becomes official very soon.

[Schema Thing]

3. Does this mean you got work?

if so, congrats! :)

[crispini]

4. Ssssssssssssh....

I have a verbal offer but I don't have the letter in hand yet. I don't wanna jinx it by premature celebration. ;) But I figure it can't hurt to THINK about shopping, can it? :D

[Schema Thing]

5. well, don't spend money yet

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

[crispini]

6. Thanks!

Believe me, when the letter gets here, I'll be cheering loudly!

And shopping. I haven't had a client-facing job in a few years, so the wardrobe really needs help. :D

[davsand]

7. Fashion Bug usually has some decent stuff pretty cheap.

Especially if you are looking for stuff like dress slacks and tops or sweaters. Sometimes you can find decent dresses there, but the dress slacks really aren't too bad.

Oh--and I love to bra shop there...

Congrats on needing a new business wardrobe!


Laura

[GOPisEvil]

8. I'm not a lady, but...

...I'm glad you have to start searching for business attire. :thumbsup:

[blueraven95]

9. well,

I personally prefer Lane Bryant, but at the moment, they are in a bad fashion period. There's also Fashion Bug, which is owned by the same parent company as Lane Bryant, as is Catherine's - which personally I would skip, because most of their clothes are shapeless sacks (but business-like sacks!), but their stockings are really nice. Torrid might work, it used to be pretty goth, but I think they might have prepped up quite a bit. Lastly, (at least of the one's off the top of my head) there's Ashley Stewart, which from what I've seen has decent fashion, but they don't fit my body shape well, so I can't really comment on the quality, etc.

Oh, and there's also Dot's, which does both small and large size clothing. I like them because they are quite cheap and somewhat fashionable, but you have to be willing to sort through stuff. Their quality is a bit low, but when you only spend $10 on a shirt, it's okay if it only lasts 6-9 months or so.


Sorry, didn't mean to go on. It's just that I decided awhile ago that I was going to dress to show that I like my body, not to suggest I'm ashamed of it, so now I'm a bit of a clothing fiend. I highly recommend knowing your body type before you start a major wardrobe shopping spree, so you know exactly what looks good on you and only pick up those sorts of clothes.

on edit: oh, and congrats on your almost job! :hi:

[redqueen]

25. Nevermind...

I did a little research. :)

[blueraven95]

27. goodness

now I'm super curious about your original comment. I'm sorry I missed it :rofl:

:hi:

[redqueen]

28. Hehe...

well first it was something like "What does that mean, body type? I can't ever find clothes that look good on me and loathe shopping for clothes."

And then I added "Oh I guess I could look that up"

And then it's what you see now. :P

Turns out I'm an hourglass, and I'm supposed to get clothes that show off my curves. That is NOT in my nature though.

[blueraven95]

29. ah, I see

I'm an hour glass too - and you can get clothes that look good without feeling slutty or exposed. It can be done. I swear.


But then again, I'm a self-admitted clothing fiend. :P

[mnhtnbb]

10. If you have a SteinMart near you, they often have a section for Women's sizes that has

contemporary fashions similar to what they have in Misses and Petites.

[Missy Vixen]

12. Lands End

It's not cutting edge, but it's classic, well-made and easy-care.

www.landsend.com

Plus, they ship, which is always good.
Julie

[spinbaby]

30. I second Lands End

Classic clothes that take hard wear and still look good. I don't like Lane Bryant--their clothes are faddish and don't hold up well.

[Broken_Hero]

13. Cato, The Lady Bug, and Lane Bryant(very spendy)...nt

[Broken_Hero]

14. oh,and The Front Page, if you got them in your area

its like, clothes that have minor imperfections, and they sell them for super cheap, like where Sears, and other stores send their rejects...Usually the clothes have minor problems, like missing buttons and such.

[travelingtypist]

15. I know you asked for business, but if you want fun...

check out Torrid. They've got some hot stuff for us
16s and above. Love it.

[Betty88]

16. Macy's womens dept

I'm a 16 have gotten some nice stuff there. The one here in downtown Brooklyn is great. Very often they have suites on sale at 50% off. But its kind of hit and miss. I go in every so often to shop for my partner, I have had the best luck when I have dropped by on a whim. I got her a beautiful suit for $125 down from $450, best score ever.

[moriah]

17. Catherine's has a decent closeout/clearance section on their site....

http://www.catherines.com/pagebuilder/SHOPPING_LANDINGPAGE?PAGEID=1695

I wouldn't pay full price at Catherine's, but when I was a size 22W I got a wonderful interview suit on clearance and it was not only easily altered to fit me (I'm waaay too short), but it lasted a long time.

[JenaLaw]

18. Syms (Sims? not sure of spelling)

I love Syms for work clothes shopping (I am a size 22, but they offer all sizes there). The clothes are more 'professional' than some of the strictly large size stores. They also sell shoes, accessories etc.

a note about Fashion Bug...the prces are 'right' there...but the quality is questionable. I only plan on a few wearings on anything I purchase from there before the item has a date with my sewing kit.

GOOD LUCK with the job!

[philosophie_en_rose]

19. Macy's

Macy's has excellent sales sometimes, so you can score nice clothes for relatively little. Some stores even have tailoring services.

[Sisaruus]

20. Talbots

Either on-line of in the stores which carry the Woman's line.

[ogneopasno]

21. If you're tall too, try Tall Girl. Also, Travelsmith.com has excellent work clothes

and some come in larger sizes.

[1gobluedem]

22. Dress Barn Women

They have lots of suits and other business attire. And it's not grandmotherly; it's contemporary.

[MissMillie]

23. gets my vote too

and believe it or not, but you can get some pretty good sized 16 stuff at Sears, of all places.

[abbeyco]

26. Totally agree - got 2 cute suits there

and really like their clothes - the folks working there are nice & helpful, too!

[applegrove]

24. Some department stores have a section of large sized clothing. Also try some second hand stores.

I found one that had plus sized clothing and I got tons of great stuff at a wonderful price.

[femmocrat]

31. C.J. Banks

They have great sales and their clothes are cute and very mix-and-matchable.