That's why "Underalls" was invented. :)

But, you're SO right! Be careful with white!

If you don't have a lot of $$$ to spend, I agree with the poster that mentioned JC Penny. I remember they did have a line of suits (nice quality, lined, smooth, breathable fabric) that for one price you got a suit jacket, skirt and pants. I have also seen combo's like this at Dillards too.

Anyway, if you bought this in black, you could get a lot of use from buying tops/accesories to mix and match with.

In my area, TJ Maxx sells nice quality clothing too (they have a whole seperate "Career" section).

bumping a great thread!

Do you not wear navy with brown? That's what I do, to avoid the whole navy-black issue... Maybe that was the wrong decision. :eek:

I think it is probably the right decision but navy can just put a whole wrench in my wardrobe...especially navy pants, they always look weird no matter what color I put them with!

OMG cosign...nothing looks worse than a nice pair of trouser pants or a skirt with a pair of clunky shoes circa 1995. Invest in some nice work shoes...they can make a great wardrobe look great just like bad shoes can make a great wardrobe look tacky. Well, that along with club wear at work...but that's another thread...lol

Payless is GREAT for trendy shoes. Target is good as well. I mean, as much as I would love to wear Nine West shoes all the time, between my dogs and the fact that I walk around a lot, my shoes usually only have a shelf life of about 2 months. Sad, but true. :(

If they are in your area, Kohl's is a great place to pick up some basics, especially during sales which they have about every two weeks. Last year I picked up some great pants and a few tops that were pretty reasonable for career wear.

It sounds like Macy's in the NW... They have basics and there is a "Saturday Sale" or a "One-Day" sale pretty much constantly. My boss at Pottery Barn wore a really cute brown sweater set to work yesterday that she got on sale at Macy's...

I tend to have success buying basics at Old Navy - I got a bunch of "teacher clothes" there last week. However, their pants do NOT work for everyone - same for Gap.

Does anyone have an opinion on kitten heels for work/teaching? They look more comfortable than high heels, but I am just not sure...

Macy's has a sale pretty much every week. In New York State there's a law that says that your merchandise can't be on sale more than 26 days out of the calendar month or something similar like that, so they have sales a lot and just keep stuff regularly priced 4 or so days out of the month.

I think kitten heels would be fine for work.

OHH I start a new job next week and this totally helps! (I've been working for a year, but I'm getting ready to do a little shopping before the new job)

Kitten heels are my god send. I do event planning and while 2 1/2 inch heels are cute, they just don't work for the amount of walking and running I do during an event.

I spend money on my pants and shoes. I have good basic tops button-ups from express and then some nice sweaters. I tend to throw in some fun shirts from H&M for more casual days. They have some stuff that is ok for work, but it doesn't last long. Really, Ann Taylor Loft is my crack, I just can't stay away.

If you sit all day and drive to work, I would say ok, buy cheap shoes, if you are walking all day, I find that more mid-range shoes work a little better. (or maybe I just feel less ackward when I take them to the shoe repair guy to fix that little plastic bit at the bottom of the heel)

Here is my question. Is tweed classic enough? There is are a couple Ann Taylor Loft skirts I'm dying for and I just don't know how long they'll last, they seem classic to me but I'm just not sure... (thanks for all the good tips!)

Yes!! Tweed's the epitome of classic, it's my favorite fabric for the fall, and lately stores have been carrying great summer tweeds.

In answer to the "What color shoe goes best with navy" question... I find that a good deep burgundy shoe looks the best with navy, and that's what most magazines recommend. Just always remember that all accessories (shoes, belt, bag, etc) are matching, and you can pull of pretty much any color with navy. Navy and white are great for summer (think nautical).

Here is my question:

What kind of underwear is acceptable at the work place?

-Rudey

I love tweed to. Would you stick to very classic brown tweeds? I love some of the colors but don't want it to be dated by next season...

White pants should be worn with NUDE panites. I hate having to look at someone's underwear all day. None of my business. :)

Anything that is not visible...panty lines are so tacky.